Reports: Captain Andrew Durante set to depart Wellington Phoenix

Reports have surfaced that Andrew Durante has signed with Western United.
Reports have surfaced that Andrew Durante has signed with Western United.Source: Getty Images
AAP with Staff Writers from Aap

The post-Mark Rudan dismantling of the Wellington Phoenix is set to go to another level, with reports surfacing that captain Andrew Durante has signed with Western United.

The most capped player in A-League history with 313 appearances, Durante’s leadership has been part of the Phoenix fabric for 11 seasons but he is set to join an exodus that began when Rudan announced his departure two months ago.

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Durante is the most capped player in A-League history with 313 appearancesSource: Getty Images

Rudan, who will be the inaugural coach of expansion club Western United, is already confirmed to have Phoenix players Filip Kurto and Max Burgess on his books for next season.

Now it appears centre back Durante, 37, will join them, spurning an offer to stay at the Phoenix where he had been offered an expanded off-field role.

It will mark the end of an era in Wellington, which Durante made his home after leaving the Newcastle Jets in 2008 and performed at a consistently high level for more than a decade.

His three daughters were all born in New Zealand and Durante proved his loyalty by turning out 24 times for the All Whites.

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A-League newboys Western United are keen to sign the 37-year-oldSource: Getty Images

Phoenix officials couldn’t be contacted but it is understood they have lost another battle at the negotiating table, having bid farewell last month to star forward and Johnny Warren Medal winner Roy Krishna.

On Tuesday morning they confirmed the other half of their potent 2018-19 strike force, former Socceroos forward David Williams, has exited after having bagged 11 goals.

New Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay faces a hefty rebuilding job, with four visa slots to be filled and an entire front line to replace.

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He can at least call on experience at the back in Durante’s absence, with veteran former Newcastle United defender Steven Taylor having committed to next season and now boasting strong credentials to captain the Kiwi club.

Talay’s first two signings were New Zealand international goalkeeper Stefan Marinovic and Australian teenage left-back Walter Scott.