Wellington Phoenix have signed Filip Kurto as their new No.1 goalkeeper for the 2018/19 campaign.
The A-League side had four stoppers on their books last season, with previous coach Darije Kalezic kicking off the campaign with 18-year-old Keegan Smith between the sticks.
He later used Oliver Sail and Lewis Italiano, and brought in the experienced Tando Velaphi during the transfer window.
New coach Mark Rudan has gone in a different direction, bringing in Kurto on a two-year deal.
The 27-year-old, who is a former Poland U-21 international, has arrived from Dutch Eredivisie side Roda JC.
He's played over 100 games in the top division in Holland.
Mark Rudan
Kurto started his senior career in Poland in 2008 with Promien Opalenica before having a first stint with Roda JC between 2012-14 when he played 65 times. He's since been with FC Dordrecht and Excelsior.
Rudan said: "Filip is a strong shot stopper; [he's] good in the air, communicates well, he has a presence in goal. A lot of attributes we were after in a goalkeeper, he ticks off.
"He's played over 100 games in the top division in Holland, so that tells you a bit about the quality of the goalkeeper as well."
Rudan still has Smith and Sail on his books but says he's not yet comfortable with them starting in the A-League.
Smith played the first six games of last season, with Sail making four appearances over the final weeks of the campaign in which the Phoenix finished ninth.
"They're good young goalkeepers, but they're not up to A League standard in terms of what my expectations are," said the coach.
"If these are the two best keepers in New Zealand, let's say, with Oli and Keegan, it just didn't stand up, as far as I was concerned."
Wellington are 33/1 to win the 2019 Grand Final.
The Phoenix are 2/1 to win their first game of the season against Newcastle, who are 6/5 with the draw 13/5.
View all Soccer betting
Wellington Phoenix have signed Filip Kurto as their new No.1 goalkeeper for the 2018/19 campaign.
The A-League side had four stoppers on their books last season, with previous coach Darije Kalezic kicking off the campaign with 18-year-old Keegan Smith between the sticks.
He later used Oliver Sail and Lewis Italiano, and brought in the experienced Tando Velaphi during the transfer window.
New coach Mark Rudan has gone in a different direction, bringing in Kurto on a two-year deal.
The 27-year-old, who is a former Poland U-21 international, has arrived from Dutch Eredivisie side Roda JC.
He's played over 100 games in the top division in Holland.
Mark Rudan
Kurto started his senior career in Poland in 2008 with Promien Opalenica before having a first stint with Roda JC between 2012-14 when he played 65 times. He's since been with FC Dordrecht and Excelsior.
Rudan said: "Filip is a strong shot stopper; [he's] good in the air, communicates well, he has a presence in goal. A lot of attributes we were after in a goalkeeper, he ticks off.
"He's played over 100 games in the top division in Holland, so that tells you a bit about the quality of the goalkeeper as well."
Rudan still has Smith and Sail on his books but says he's not yet comfortable with them starting in the A-League.
Smith played the first six games of last season, with Sail making four appearances over the final weeks of the campaign in which the Phoenix finished ninth.
"They're good young goalkeepers, but they're not up to A League standard in terms of what my expectations are," said the coach.
"If these are the two best keepers in New Zealand, let's say, with Oli and Keegan, it just didn't stand up, as far as I was concerned."
Wellington are 33/1 to win the 2019 Grand Final.
The Phoenix are 2/1 to win their first game of the season against Newcastle, who are 6/5 with the draw 13/5.
View all Soccer betting
Source: bet365.com