KEY POINTS:
All White Tim Brown is attempting to get out of his A-League contract with Newcastle so he can join the new Wellington Phoenix.
The 26-year-old midfielder repeatedly delayed signing with the Newcastle Jets in the hope a New Zealand franchise would get off the the ground. But he put pen to paper on a two-year deal when he felt the venture would not happen.
"Literally within minutes of doing that, I found out the Wellington side was going ahead, such was my luck," Brown said. "I have since talked to Newcastle and they aren't very happy about it and I'm quite regretful of the situation but my heart is in Wellington.
"We are in the process of trying to work through that and trying to find an amicable way out of it. I'm very hopeful they can sort it out, sooner rather than later.
"To walk away from one of the best teams in the competition is not easy. Some would say it's not the smartest thing to do but the easiest option is not always the best."
Brown was a member of the Newcastle side which lost the preliminary final to Adelaide on penalties. He became a regular starter after gaining a short-term contract midway through the season.
Brown is one of several All Whites in talks with Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert and a number of announcements are expected in the next fortnight. New Zealand Soccer boss Graham Seatter said significant progress was being made.
"Ricki will have the majority of his team together in a week or two," Seatter said. "A lot of conversations have been going on and they have all been really positive."
Ivan Vicelich, Leo Bertos, Tony Lochhead, David Mulligan, Glen Moss, Mark Paston, Che Bunce, Jeremy Brockie, Noah Hickey, Shane Smeltz, Vaughan Coveny, Steven Old, Jeremy Christie and Jarrod Smith are others in the frame.
Phoenix owner Terry Serepisos said the full salary cap of A$2 million would be made available to Herbert but they had not yet discussed the prospect of a marquee player.
