Marco Rojas in December during his second stint with the Phoenix. Photo: Masanori Udagawa
Marco Rojas' second stint at the Wellington Phoenix has been cut short, after a season which has been limited to seven appearances, of which only two were starts.
The Phoenix said Rojas and the club have agreed to cut his time short, with the remaining three months of his one-year contract terminated "by mutual consent".
The All White forward, who started his professional career in Wellington in 2009, went on to play 21 A-League matches for the Phoenix before heading to Melbourne in 2011, for the first of three successful spells at the Victory.
Rojas was looking forward to rejoining the club after 13 years away when he signed for the 2024/25 season but has not enjoyed the return he would have liked.
Marco Rojas celebrates a goal for the Phoenix in 2010. Photo: Photosport / Dave Lintott
Rojas still showed his talent and he is second only to Hideki Ishige on the team's assists tally this campaign.
An ankle injury sidelined him for nine matches from late December to mid-February and he has featured in just three games since.
Phoenix director of football Shaun Gill has thanked Rojas for his contribution to the club, on and off the pitch.
"We're all disappointed we didn't get to see the best of Marco in a Phoenix shirt ...Injuries are an unfortunate part of football and they curtailed his involvement this season," Gill said.
"Even though it's been brief, it's been great to see Marco back in Wellington where his football career began and we wish him all the best for the future."
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