Football: Phoenix sign Socceroo Burns

The Wellington Phoenix have signed Socceroo Nathan Burns on a two-year contract. Photo / Getty Images.

The Wellington Phoenix have signed Socceroo Nathan Burns on a two-year contract.

The 26-year-old began his career with Adelaide United and has since played in Greece for AEK Athens and Kerkyra (on loan) before moving to Korean club Incheon United in 2012.

Burns made a brief return to the A-League last season with Newcastle Jets and caused the Phoenix problems when the teams met in Napier.

He said that Ernie Merrick was a big influence in him moving to New Zealand.

"Ernie has been around a long time and had success in the A-League," Burns said.

"He convinced me about the style of football he wants to play and I saw for myself what he was trying to do last season."

Merrick said he had been looking for a player who could play as a midfielder, winger or high striker.