Perth Glory is delighted to confirm that New Zealand international goalkeeper Oli Sail has signed a three-year deal with the club which will commence at the end of the current season.
The 27-year-old has been one of the ISUZU UTE A-League’s most outstanding performers since establishing himself as Wellington Phoenix’s first choice at the start of the 2020/21 campaign and claimed the club’s Player of the Year, Players’ Player of the Year and Media Player of the Year awards last year.
The 1.97m shot-stopper is also a key member of the All Whites squad with six senior caps to his name and Glory Head Coach Ruben Zadkovich regards his recruitment as a major coup for the club.
“We have been targeting Oli for some time and I’m delighted we have secured his services for the next three seasons,” he said.
“Character is very important in these types of builds and Oli has the right ingredients.
“He is clearly one of the best ‘keepers in the league, is at the peak of his powers and his presence on the grass is massive.
“He is obviously right in the middle of his career, with loads of upside in terms of his development and growth and there is really no ceiling to where he may get to down the track.
“With both Oli and Cameron Cook locked in for the next three seasons, we have now created one of the strongest and most balanced goalkeeping departments in the country.
“I’m looking forward to watching them compete together on the grass.
“This signing is massive for the club and for the team.
“Oli will be a crucial part of turning quality performances into positive results next year and beyond.”
Glory CEO Anthony Radich is similarly confident that Sail will prove to be a key acquisition for Glory.
“I am delighted for the club that we have been able to secure a goalkeeper of Oli’s quality and further strengthen our squad,” he said.
“His progression has been exponential in recent years and he has clearly established himself as one of the finest ‘keepers in the competition.
“He will also be invaluable in furthering the rapid development of Cameron Cook who is a very exciting young talent.
“They will be a great combination and we’re very fortunate to be in their safe hands over the next few years.”
Those sentiments were echoed by Glory Head of Recruitment, Andy Keogh.
“He is the best ‘keeper in the A-League and a massive signing for our great club,” he said.
“It shows a real intent to add quality to what we have on the roster already.
“We look forward to him and Cameron working closely together and forging a really strong goalkeeping unit for this club.”
Born in Auckland, Sail began his senior career with Auckland City and swiftly progressed into Wellington Phoenix’s reserve side.
After featuring for New Zealand at the 2015 Under-20 World Cup, he was handed his A-League debut in March 2018 and then made the first-team gloves his own during the 2020/21 season.
This year, Phoenix’s vice-captain has made 19 A-League appearances, kept three clean sheets and pulled off the second-highest amount of saves in the competition with 67.
Glory’s new recruit won his first senior New Zealand cap in a World Cup qualifier against Papua New Guinea last year and also featured in the qualification play-off clash with Costa Rica and subsequent two friendlies versus the Socceroos.
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