Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Phoenix sign Jade North

Updated at 8:32 am on 31 July 2010

The Wellington Phoenix have signed the versatile Australian defender Jade North for the next A-League season.

The 28-year-old will resume a defensive partnership he established with the Phoenix captain Andrew Durante when they led Newcastle to the championship two years ago.

North has played 28 games for Australia and the Phoenix head coach Ricki Herbert says he's a proven performer at elite level, with almost 100 A-League appearances.

Herbert says North also brings leadership experience, having captained the Jets, and is a great replacement for Jon McKain, who's gone to Norway.

North's signing completes the bulk of recruitment with the compulsory 20 players on the books but the Phoenix may add the prolific Indonesian striker Bambang Pamungkas after a trial stint.

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