The Wellington Phoenix have signed Sydney United defender Jacob Tratt on a one-year contract.
The 190cm-tall 22-year-old, who can play right back or centre back, has an option for a second year after impressing Phoenix coach Ernie Merrick in Sydney's 1-0 win over Central Coast Mariners.
He will move to Wellington on Monday.
Tratt spent three years with Sydney FC, two in the youth team and one in the first team squad, though the latter turned sour when he contracted glandular fever.
"That sucked the life out of me but I am fine now and had a good season with Sydney United," he said.
Tratt believes he will do well at right back, though he can also play centre back.
Merrick says he was struck by Tratt's ambitiousness and his ability to match the pace of the Mariners' Connor Pain.
"He knows exactly where he wants to go. He wants to play in the A-League and be one of the best players in it.
"We are very diligent in doing background checks on players we are keen on and felt that Jacob was unlucky to get glandular fever.
"He did the right thing and went down to the lower level with Sydney United where coach Mark Rudan did a good job with him," Merrick said.
"Jacob will be a big asset for the club."
