Soccer: Phoenix sign schoolboy for two years

Hamilton schoolboy Marco Rojas has won the ultimate prize as a result of a scholarship run by supporters of Wellington Phoenix, signing a two-year deal to join the New Zealand A-League soccer club.

Rojas, 17, won a Yellow Fever scholarship worth $5000 that allowed him to train with the Phoenix for a week.

The Hamilton Wanderers midfielder so impressed Phoenix officials following his first week with the club that he was invited to return to Wellington for another trial period.

That culminated in him travelling to Queenstown for the Phoenix's pre-season match against Melbourne Victory last Saturday.

Coming on in the second half, Rojas made an immediately impact, helping set up Troy Hearfield's 77th-minute equaliser in the 1-1 draw.

Rojas' brief cameo was enough to convince coach Ricky Herbert that he deserved a playing contract.

"Victory were pretty much at full strength and when Marco came on he certainly didn't look out of place," Phoenix chief executive Tony Pignata said today.

He said Rojas impressed Herbert's assistants Luciano Trani and Jonathan Gould while Herbert was away with the New Zealand team at the Confederations Cup in South Africa.

"They were very impressed with Marco's energy and technical ability and gave their opinions to Ricki, who liked what he saw in Queenstown.

"That clinched it and we're very happy to sign him as our mandatory third under-21 player."

Pignata was pleased that Rojas had an opportunity to play professional soccer in New Zealand, having only turned out in a handful of matches for New Zealand Football Championship side Waikato FC previously.

"How he slipped through the system, I'm not sure. But I'm glad we're able to put him into a professional environment and that the club and, indeed, its supporters are helping the development of football in New Zealand."

He said Rojas' father, Rodi, would join the player in Wellington.

Rojas is still getting to grips with his rise to the Phoenix.

" It's incredible. This is a dream come true and I can't wait to get to Wellington. I've got a lot of people at Yellow Fever to thank for all of this."

Rojas will join his new Phoenix teammates in Christchurch on Sunday for a match against a Mainland Selection 11 at QEII Park.

He will then relocate to Wellington to continue pre-season training.

Meanwhile, utility player Jeremy Christie has not had his contract with the Phoenix renewed.

The 26-year-old New Zealand representative was a foundation player for the Phoenix and departs after two years with the club.

" Unfortunately, we had to make some tough decisions around the squad and our focus was on other areas in terms of recruitment," Pignata said.

Christie played 27 matches for the Phoenix, having previously represented the New Zealand Knights and Perth Glory.

- NZPA