Krishna on verge of top signing

Former Fiji soccer wonder boy and current Waitakere United attacker Roy Krishna is just a step away from signing a professional contract with the Wellington Phoenix.

The 21-year-old striker from Siberia, Labasa – who has been a star performer for Labasa, Fiji and now Waitakere - will join the Phoenix when the team starts their pre-season build-up on May 4.

"Roy is joining us for a month from May 4," said Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert.

"It is more than him coming down and trialling, it is the opportunity to gain a contract. He had a week with us last year. Now we are taking it a step further and looking at it as a chance to sign him. We are taking the potential he has shown as the starting point."

Waitakere chairman Rex Dawkins, who has worked closely with Krishna, welcomed the opportunity afforded his star player.

"Arguably he is the best player from Oceania to play in New Zealand," said Dawkins. "We certainly don't see his time with the Phoenix as a trial - it is more than that."

Team Wellington's Luis Corrales, the golden boot winner in the New Zealand Football Championship and, like Krishna, a finalist for the NZXFC player of the year, is also to be given his chance with Phoenix.