Wellington Phoenix have signed Mexican striker Rafael Durán on a two-year deal ahead of the 2026/27 Isuzu UTE A-League season.
The 28-year-old becomes the Phoenix’s first new visa signing for the upcoming campaign, having spent last season with Macarthur FC.
Durán made 24 appearances for the Bulls last season, scoring four goals and providing two assists, despite playing out of position for the majority of the campaign.
TRANSFER CENTRE: Isuzu UTE A-League 2026-27 Transfer Centre: Your club’s moves
Rafael Duran (L) of Macarthur FC
He has made more than 300 professional appearances, primarily in Mexico, and believes he has a point to prove after joining the Phoenix.
“I’m very happy to have joined the Phoenix,” Durán said.
“It’s a big club in the league and when I played in Wellington last season I loved the stadium, I loved the city, the weather and the people.
“I look forward to getting to know everyone and helping the team win.
He continued: “At Macarthur I played a couple of games as a nine but because we had a lot of injured players, especially wingers, I had to move out wide for several games.
“But my natural position is to play as a nine and that’s where I feel most comfortable.
BIG NEWS: Bulls announce shock departure of head coach Mile Sterjovski
“Football is easy when you feel comfortable on the pitch and that’s when you play your best.
“I wanted another experience in the A-League and I want to score a lot of goals in Wellington.”
The Nix were on the hunt for a new central striker following the departure of last season’s top goalscorer Ifeanyi Eze, who left the club following just one season in the Kiwi capital.
Phoenix Head Coach Chris Greenacre believes Durán’s qualities as a No.9 will suit the way his side wants to play.
“Rafa’s a player with immense quality and he can play anywhere across the frontline,” Greenacre said.
“But his ideal position is as a nine and that’s where we believe his qualities will suit the way we want to play.
“His link play is very, very good, he has the ability to dribble one-vs-one, he’s got speed to get in behind and he’s a physical presence.
“We haven’t signed him for what he’s done, we’ve signed him because of what we believe he can do for this team, and we’re really excited to see that come to life.”
Durán arrives with a clear target in mind, with the Phoenix’s last three men’s strikers all reaching double figures for goals in a season.
MUST READ: Mourinho, academia & Portuguese tarts: Meet new Auckland boss Pedro Moreira
“I will set a target at the start of the season and I will work hard to score 10 or more goals,” Durán said.
“But I also think about how I can best help the team by setting up goals as well as scoring.
“I’m not a traditional nine that’s always in the box. I’m more of a nine that’s fast, mobile and try to get in behind defenders.
“One of my strengths is my speed. I’m fast and I’m calm in front of goal.
“You can ask me at the end of the season if I reached my target!”
Durán arrived in Wellington on Sunday and trained with his new teammates for the first time on Monday.
The Phoenix now have 17 men’s players contracted for the upcoming season, with further squad announcements expected in the coming weeks.
