The Wellington Phoenix have made a major signing on the final day of the Isuzu UTE A-League registration window.
The Phoenix have secured Portuguese attacking midfielder Franciso “Chico” Geraldes on loan for the remainder of the 2024-25 season.
Geraldes, 29, came through the famed Sporting Lisbon youth system and played 150 matches in Liga Portugal before stints in the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia and Spain over the past 18 months.
He is a former Portuguese youth international and played alongside the likes of Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and former Manchester City and Barcelona fullback João Cancelo at under-21 level.
Phoenix head coach Giancarlo Italiano has been looking for an attacking midfielder for the past month and feels fortunate to have signed a player of Geraldes’ calibre.
“In terms of quality he’s far above and beyond what sort of player I thought we would get in this window,” Italiano said.
“Chico is exactly what we need. He’s a creative playmaker. He can play as an eight or a 10, but he’s been most effective in that higher position.
“He’s been training with his last loan club in Spain so he’s still relatively fit and I’m hoping that he can hit the ground running after a week.
“It’s going to take him time to find his feet, especially as the A-League is a little bit quicker transitionally, but once he comes good I think he’ll be a really, really good player for us.”
Chico Geraldes has arrived in Wellington and can’t wait to get started with his new teammates.
“I think this is the perfect place for me to come,” Geraldes said. “I’m looking forward to playing and helping the Phoenix.
“The team is the most important thing. I want to help the Phoenix secure more points and get qualification to the finals.
“And personally I need to get my joy back in football.
“I think Wellington is a very warm place to be because people are so gentle and so kind, and they’re already making me feel at home.”
Geraldes believes he’ll be a good fit for the Nix and he’s looking forward to showing fans what he’s capable of.
“My main characteristics are my passing, assisting goals and creativity on the pitch. That’s what Giancarlo wants me to add to the team.
“They’re my main strengths and I always put team goals first.
“I think I can add to the Phoenix and help the team grow. I have the trust of the coach and the staff, and the rest will come.
“The most important thing is to clear my mind, train hard and the results will come, I’m sure.”
Chico Geraldes will wear the no. 12 shirt for the Wellington Phoenix and the club hope he will be in contention to make his Phoenix debut in next week’s derby.
