Sam Sutton. Photo: Masanori Udagawa / PHOTOSPORT
All Whites and former Phoenix defender Sam Sutton has signed a three-year deal with Perth Glory.
Sutton, 23, left the Phoenix this month after nearly a decade with the club having joined Wellington's academy at the age of 14.
He played 98 games A-League games for the Phoenix in six seasons in the senior squad and said upon his departure he hoped it was a 'see you later' rather than a 'good-bye'.
"The club's been a big part of my life, and it's meant everything to me," Sutton said.
"The Phoenix is my home. I've been here for the best part of 10 years and not winning any silverware is pretty heartbreaking for me."
The left-back is the first new arrival at Glory since the end of their season in which Glory collected the wooden spoon for the second consecutive season.
The Perth move had been widely anticipated and Sutton is expected to be joined there by former Phoenix defender Scott Wootten, who has also left the club.
"I decided to sign for Perth for many reasons," Sutton said.
"Firstly, I've been there many times and it's definitely my favourite city in Australia, but more importantly, the passion, belief and ambition I got from (coach) David Zdrilic and (Glory football director) Stan Lazaridis was the key determining factor," he said.
"I believe in the calibre of players we are keeping and the ones we intend to bring in, and hope we can win some silverware."
Lazaridis said they had been monitoring Sutton for a while.
"He has all the attributes required to really fit our playing style.
"He's a tenacious defender with a great engine who also likes to get forward and is capable of providing quality delivery into the box.
"At 23, we believe we have signed him at a great time and that he will continue his development into one of the best left-backs in the A-League."
