Sarpong adds to Phoenix's attacking stocks

Wellington Phoenix has signed former Ajax attacker Jeffrey Sarpong, who has played more than 100 games in the Dutch top flight.

Sarpong played 58 times for NAC Breda, which was relegated from the top flight last season. Source: YouTube

Sarpong, 27, who has also played for Real Sociedad and NAC Breda, played alongside Phoenix midielder Roly Bonevacia at Ajax and said that helped in making the decision to move to the A-League.

"It will be a challenge for me but I have a good feeling about the manager," Sarpong, a former Dutch U-21 international, said.

"I don't know much about the A-League apart from what Roly has told me.

"I have had a lot of conversations with Roly because we are good friends and he told me about the league and what the Phoenix club was like."

Phoenix coach Ernie Merrick said he was pleased to land Amsterdam-born Sarpong, who holds a Ghanaian passport and a Dutch passport.

"It has taken a while but it can take a while when you are after better players," Merrick said.

"We had some tough competition but we persisted and in the end got our man.”

Merrick also said Sarpong's link with Bonevacia had been beneficial.

"It is always good when a regular member of your team is able to give you information on the person you are trying to sign," Merrick said.

"You are able to get an insight into the lad's character and what Roly had to say was excellent.

"On the football side Jeffery has pace and is a good one on one dribbler.

"Technically and tactically he is a good player who played 10 times for the Dutch Under-21 side.

"He has just turned 27 so is at a good age and can get even better."

Sarpong, who joined the Ajax Academy as a seven-year-old, admitted leaving Europe wasn't easy but is looking forward to life in Wellington.

"I had a few options in Europe from good teams in good leagues," Sarpong said.

"I had to think hard about what was best for me at this stage in my career.

"It wasn't easy but the way the manager (Merrick) spoke swayed me.

"He knows how I play and knows areas I can improve in.

"Knowing that he wants to make me a better player was a key."