Former All White and Wellington Phoenix defender Louis Fenton has had a change of heart about early retirement and has signed for the Queensland Lions.
The semi-professional Lions are currently top of the National Premier League (Queensland).
Fenton (29) joins another former All White and ex-Phoenix player at the club in five-cap Matthew Ridenton who signed for the Lions for the current season.
At the end of the Phoenix A-League season, Fenton said he planned to retire from football to concentrate on completing a degree in property development in Brisbane, after which he planned to return to hometown Wellington where he runs a barbershop with his brother.
In nine seasons with the Phoenix, Fenton played more than 150 matches for the club. Only Phoenix legends Andrew Durante, Vince Lia, Manny Muscat and Ben Sigmund have pulled on the club’s colours more often.
He played for New Zealand at U-20 and U-23 levels as well as making six full international appearances for the All Whites, starting in 2013.
Over the past 10 years, the right back has shown resilience to bounce back from many shoulder dislocations and a compound fracture in his foot.
When he left the Phoenix, he said:
“Maybe 29 is young to be retiring but I feel like in my career I’ve been through a lot. A lot of injuries and a lot of ups and downs. I feel like I’m going out at a great time while my body’s in decent condition.”
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How the Lions welcomed Fenton
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