The Wellington Phoenix Women have made a major statement of intent with their first new signing of the A-League Women off-season.
The Phoenix have secured the services of Portuguese under-23 goalkeeper Carolina Vilão for the 2024-25 campaign.
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Vilão, 23, has left SL Benfica where she won eight trophies, including four Portuguese league titles, and played in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
Phoenix head coach Paul Temple hailed the signing.
“I think it’s exciting that we can sign a player from a club like Benfica that plays in the Champions League and we’re able to attract a player like Carolina to the club,” Temple said.
“That sort of experience is massively valuable but she’s also young and hungry. Bringing in players with ambition, desire to improve and will to win is important for the team and its growth.
“She’s also a very technical and modern European goalkeeper.”
One of Vilão’s strengths is her ability to play with her feet and she will aid the team’s “evolution” this season.
“We played a selective style last year with the ‘small ball’ but we didn’t do lot of building out from the ‘keeper.
“Carolina’s very calm on the ball, good with both feet, picks passes through the lines and breaks pressure.“Her ability in possession is really key, as well as obviously being a good all-round goalkeeper.”
The Phoenix Women were in need of goalkeepers after they announced on Tuesday the departures of Young Football Ferns custodian Brianna Edwards and experienced Canadian Rylee Foster, who were the starters in all 22 matches last season.
Vilão had to bide her time as the No 2 ‘keeper at Benfica and hopes the Phoenix can help launch her career.
“It’s time for me to move on so I can grow a little bit more,” Vilão said. “I was at Benfica for six years and I grew a lot because I went there as a young player and now I’ve become a woman.
“It was a good experience playing for the under-23 national team and playing in the women’s Champions League and maybe one day I’ll come back to do that again.
“But now it’s time to be great in another place. I’m looking to further my career and do the best I can for the Phoenix. I want this move to be a success and hopefully it’ll be good for both sides, me and the club.”
Vilão believed she could add a lot to Temple’s squad.
“I always think of the team first and I’m a player that really wants to win. I’ve been used to winning a lot. I’m also a hard worker, I’m committed and I’m consistent.”
She hoped those attributes would help her become a fully-fledged Portuguese international in the future.
“For every player in every country the ultimate goal is to represent the national team at senior level and that’s a big thing for me. It’s a dream for me and the work you put in at club level helps it become a reality.
“First, I have to think about playing well for the Phoenix and then I can think about it.”
Foundation player Whinham committed to the Phoenix Women through to 2026.
Whinham, 20, has played 38 matches for the Nix over the past three years and was delighted to continue at a “very special club.”
“I’ve grown up watching the Phoenix, so it means a lot to me and my family,” she said. “It’s a privilege.
"I’ve been here from the start, I’ve been through a lot and I’ve developed a lot as a player and a person. And I have a lot more to give with the Phoenix.”
The former under-20 women's international did not always know that she would be returning.
“I remember walking out at Porirua Park for our last game and I thought that was my time up.
“To have two more years, I’m very glad. I’m going to use this to really prove myself in this league.”
Temple was stoked to keep “one of the best young Kiwis around”.
“She’s really important for our future because she’s that creative midfield player,” Temple said. “She really found her feet and was contributing massively to games in the second half of the season particularly.
“To carry on that momentum and to continue that journey is really exciting for our fanbase.”
Whinham was the 11th Wellington Phoenix Women’s player contracted for the 2024-25 season, with negotiations ongoing with other off-contract players.