Melbourne City have announced the signature of Wellington Phoenix stalwart and Melburnian Manny Muscat on a two-year deal, beginning next season.
Muscat, 31, has been at the Phoenix since 2008 having joined after partaking in a preseason trial match in Wollongong against Sydney FC, playing 165 matches in a number of different positions through defensive midfield and the back four during that time.
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The veteran says it was not an easy decision to leave the club where he has become a fan favourite, but family had to be a priority with his wife expecting the couple’s third child in early July.
“Rebecca is expecting our third child on 2 July and we decided it was time to move back to the family,” Muscat said.
“In the A-League you travel every second week and it will be good for Becks to have her family around her. We also have a house there waiting to be lived in so the move will be easy.
“That (first trial match) was an amazing experience and the first of many great times I’ve experienced with the Phoenix.
“I never expected to be at the club for eight seasons but I have enjoyed every moment and made some real good friends.”
Never afraid of making a challenge wherever he is on the pitch, Wellington manager Ernie Merrick says his commandeering presence on the field will be missed.
“He is a man of action, hard on the field, but get him off it and he is the perfect gentleman,” Merrick said.
“He has also been much maligned because of his competitiveness. I shake my head at some of the things he has been carded for because many times if it was anyone else it probably wouldn’t have even been a free kick.
“Manny has been a valuable player for our club because he can play any position in the backline and do it well and is also a very good holding midfield player.
“He is an all-round good quality player, a great competitor and good on-field leader; always committed at training and happy to do community work for the club. We will miss him but he goes with our best wishes and I wish him well in his new venture.”
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