Football Ferns midfielder Grace Wisnewski and American teammate Hope Breslin have left the Wellington Phoenix.
The club has announced the pair have informed them “they won’t be returning to Wellington for the 2024-25 Liberty A-League as they’re exploring other opportunities.”
Main photo: Grace Wisnewski … won’t be returning to the Phoenix.
“The club thanks Grace Wisnewski and Hope Breslin for their contributions to the Phoenix women’s team and wishes them all the best for the next steps in their professional careers.” the Phoenix said in a media statement.
Wisnewski (21) was an integral member of the Phoenix women’s side for the team’s first two seasons, playing every match she was available for and scoring two goals from midfield.
Her performances led to her being called up to the Football Ferns, and she was one of the squad’s training partners for last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Wisnewski missed most of last season after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee in the third week of the season.
Her recovery from the ACL injury, using facilities at the NZ Campus of Innovation and Sport, has been tracked in a two-part video series produced by the Phoenix.
WATCH: Teammates share their recovery from injury in two-part series >>>>
Breslin (25) was the Phoenix women’s first visa signing and would go on to be the team’s only player to feature in all 22 matches last season.
The New Yorker scored two goals and registered three assists playing in a number of positions across the midfield and up front.
She was one of six players named in the Phoenix’s kaitiaki (guardians) group at the start of the season.
Players signed for next season
Women’s head coach Paul Temple has six players contracted for the 2024-25 A-League season, with discussions continuing with other off-contract players.
The players signed are Mackenzie Barry, Olivia Ingham, Zoe McMeeken, Manaia Elliott, Daisy Brazendale and Rebecca Lake.