Former Phoenix striker Gary Hooper released by English non-league club

posted in: A-League (Men), News

Former Wellington Phoenix forward Gary Hooper has been released by English National League club Barnet after their exit from the promotion play-offs.

Hooper (36) joined London club Barnet in October 2023 after a brief spell with United Arab Emirates club Gulf United, managed by his onetime Phoenix teammate, Steven Taylor.

His departure was confirmed by Barnet, along with five other first team players, after Solihull Moors beat them in the sem-finals of the play-off series to decide promotion to English Football League Two.

Main photo: Gary Hooper … to leave London club Barnet.

Barnet had finished second in the National League, 10 points higher than Solihull Moors.

Hooper played two spells with the Phoenix, scoring 13 A-League goals in 36 appearances. He left the Phoenix in March 2022, halfway through a two-year contract.

The former Celtic and Norwich City striker is credited with more than 600 career appearances, and has the distinction of being the only player to have scored goals in the English Premier League, Championship, League One, League Two, FA Cup, League Cup, Football League Trophy, FA Trophy, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, Scottish Cup, Scottish League Cup and the Scottish Premier League.

Since leaving the UK in 2019, after a three-year stint with Sheffield Wednesday, Hooper has played in New Zealand, Cyprus, UAE and India.

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