Soccer: North joins Durante in formidable back four

Jade North. Photo / Getty Images

Andrew Durante has every reason to feel he should claim an agent's fee for helping lure Jade North to Wellington.

The Phoenix skipper has played five seasons alongside North in central defence, including in Newcastle's title-winning season in 2007-08. He made several long distance phone calls to North to convince the 28-year-old to return to the A-League.

"It wasn't that hard to sell the idea to him," Durante says. "I told him that if he wanted to come back and start enjoying his football again - he had a tough time in Europe and Asia - he should come here and join a great club with a great bunch of guys. I like to think I played my part in getting him here."

North had a difficult time adjusting to life and football in Norway, where he played for Tromso, and was looking to get out. He had options in Asia, and had a two-day trial in Beijing recently, but signed a one-year deal with Wellington. He is familiar with New Zealand - he lived here until he was 11.

North's signing is arguably Wellington's most significant so far this season. They have already recruited Dylan Macallister, Toto Cornejo and Mirjan Pavlovic, but North's quality stands out.

He has played 28 times for the Socceroos and is an ideal replacement for Jon McKain, who took up a big-money offer to play in Saudi Arabia. He's a similar player to McKain, but can play right across the back four and provides considerably more depth in defence. With only Durante and Ben Sigmund on the club's books as centre-backs - James Musa was signed as an under-21 player but isn't ready for regular A-League action - coach Ricki Herbert needed more cover.

It also allows Herbert to try the 3-4-3 formation he used with the All Whites at the recent World Cup. Whatever formation they adapt, and 4-2-3-1 also appeals, it will mean a number of handy players will miss out each week.

Paul Ifill, Durante, North, Leo Bertos, Vince Lia, Tim Brown and Mark Paston are automatic selections which leaves Chris Greenacre, Sigmund, Macallister, Toto, Daniel, Tony Lochhead, Troy Hearfield, Manny Muscat, Pavlovic and Diego all battling for four positions.

"I think it looks very good for this club and it's definitely a stronger team than last year," Durante said. "Every year the target is the semifinals. Once you're in that mix, anything can happen. We showed that last year. I think we are in a better position than last year and hopefully we go one better and make that final."

Although they have now filled their required 20-man squad by the August deadline, the Phoenix are looking to add Indonesian striker Bambang Pamungkas, who arrived in Wellington over the weekend to begin a trial. The 30-year-old is said to be a superstar in his own country and has a terrific goal-scoring record. He has notched 192 goals in 258 league matches (admittedly in a weak league) as well as 36 goals in 72 appearances for his country.

The Indonesian Football Association helped fund the trip and it would be a smart signing for Wellington for political and commercial reasons - the Phoenix hope to be admitted to the Asian Champions League and Pamungkas' signing could help improve relations within the Asian confederation.

Wellington play the New Zealand under-20s next weekend in their final warm-up before hosting Gold Coast on August 13.