Back

Wellington Phoenix Aim to Sign Ex-Premier League Striker

Wellington Phoenix are reportedly in advanced talks to sign Israeli international striker Tomer Hemed.

The 33-year-old is set to join the club as a replacement for the departed Gary Hooper, according to Stuff.

Hemed scored two goals in 16 appearances for Brighton and Hove Albion during the 2017/18 Premier League season.

The forward has spent the last two seasons at Championship clubs Charlton and Queens Park Rangers but is now a free agent.

Despite making a limited impact in the Premier League, Hemed is most fondly remembered by Brighton fans for helping the club secure promotion into the top flight by scoring 11 goals in 37 games during the 2016/17 Championship season.

In the season prior to that he netted 17 goals in 44 appearances for the Seagulls.

Capped 37 times for Israel, Hemed is seen as a replacement for Hooper who left the club following the expiration of his 12-month contract to join Indian Super League side Kerala Blasters.

Hooper scored eight goals in 22 games for Phoenix and is considered the most high profile signing in the club’s history.

Should Hemed join the club, he would link up with a number of new signings ahead of the 2020-21 A-League season; All Whites Clayton Lewis and James McGarry, as well as Australian age-group international Joshua Laws.

With Hooper, Steven Taylor and Matti Steinmann having left the club, Phoenix have three import spots left to fill and are apparently keen to use at least two of these on a new striker and centre-back.

/Stewart
Sports news editor