Francisco Geraldes in action for Portuguese club Rio Ave FC. Photo: AFP
Wellington Phoenix have snared the signature of Portuguese attacking midfielder Franciso "Chico" Geraldes in a bid to address their dearth of goals in the men's A-League.
The 29-year-old agreed to a loan deal until the end of the season, with the Phoenix hopeful he could add some flair to a campaign that had them 10th, sitting six points outside the top six, with just 16 goals from 15 matches.
Phoenix head coach Giancarlo Italiano said he had been searching for a playmaker for the past month and felt fortunate to secure Geraldes, who had played 150 matches in the top-tier Liga Portugal.
"In terms of quality he's far above and beyond what sort of player I thought we would get in this window," Italiano said.
"Chico is exactly what we need. He's a creative playmaker. He can play as an eight or a 10, but he's been most effective in that higher position.
"He's been training with his last loan club in Spain (Eldense) so he's still relatively fit and I'm hoping that he can hit the ground running after a week.
"It's going to take him time to find his feet, especially as the A-League is a little bit quicker transitionally, but once he comes good I think he'll be a really, really good player for us."
Geraldes came through the Sporting Lisbon youth system and was a Portuguese youth international before stints at Liga Portugal, Sporting CP and Rio Ave FC.
He had played at clubs in the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia and Spain over the past 18 months.
"I think this is the perfect place for me to come. I'm looking forward to playing and helping the Phoenix," Geraldes said.
"The team is the most important thing. I want to help the Phoenix secure more points and get qualification to the finals.
"And personally I need to get my joy back in football. I think Wellington is a very warm place to be because people are so gentle and so kind, and they're already making me feel at home."
Geraldes won't play in Wellington's next match away to Melbourne Victory on Friday, with the club targeting his debut in next week's derby against Auckland FC.
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