Newly signed striker Eugene Dadi gives the Phoenix an extra option going into the business end of soccer's A-League, chief executive Tony Pignata said today.
The 1.88m, 81kg Dadi joins in-form strikers Paul Ifill and Chris Greenacre as the Phoenix look to cement a play-offs berth.
The Ivory Coast international was released by the Perth Glory and picked up in the January transfer window. He flew to Wellington yesterday and trained with the Phoenix today.
"Eugene's a vastly talented and experienced striker who will offer Ricki something different up front," Pignata said.
"He's a big, strong and cunning striker and as a club we feel he'll be valuable for us in the closing stages of the season as we seek to secure a spot in the playoffs."
Dadi has played 22 A-League matches for Perth, scoring 10 goals after joining the club for the 2009-09 season.
A popular figure with football fans off the field, Pignata expects Dadi to attract a big following in Wellington as well.
"Eugene still has a fierce desire to achieve at the highest level and he's shown commitment and value to his previous clubs.
"We're certain that's exactly what he'll bring to the Phoenix."
Perth Glory coach Dave Mitchell today insisted Dadi had left the club he was contracted with until the end of the season on amicable terms.
The 36-year-old had fallen behind Branko Jelic, Mile Sterjovski, Victor Sikora and, more recently, Jamie Harnwell in the pecking order this season, failing to score a goal in his six appearances amid reports he had fallen out with Mitchell.
"Obviously Eugene was frustrated and he wanted to have another contract for another year," Mitchell said today.
"From our point of view we didn't think he'd played enough games and if he wanted to do that (extend his career) it was best he pursue it somewhere else.
"There were two other clubs interested so they've come in and we decided to let him go for his future career.
"There was no animosity there at all."
The Glory are eyeing former Scottish Premier League midfielder Steven McGarry, who arrives tomorrow for a trial, to fill the now vacant import spot.
NZPA