Wellington Phoenix have brought young New Zealand goalkeeper Henry Gray back to the capital on a season-long loan from English Premier League club Ipswich Town.
The 21-year-old academy product will join the Phoenix for the 2026/27 A-League season, three years after leaving Wellington to sign with Ipswich.
Gray has played for Ipswich’s under-21 side and gained senior experience during loan spells with Chelmsford City, Braintree Town and League Two club Harrogate Town.
He also represented New Zealand at last year’s FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Chile, starting all three matches before earning an All Whites call-up.
Phoenix head coach Chris Greenacre said Gray had developed significantly during his time in England.
“We’re delighted to have Henry back at the Phoenix,” Greenacre said.
“He’s played close to 100 games of first-team football now, so will be right up there with any young goalkeeper in the A-League.”
Greenacre said Gray’s time with Harrogate, which was fighting to remain in League Two, had helped make him a stronger goalkeeper, leader and professional.
Gray will compete with Alby Kelly-Heald and Eamonn McCarron for the Phoenix’s number one jersey.
Greenacre said the competition would benefit all three goalkeepers, who will work under returning goalkeeping coach Paul Gothard.
“They’ll compete, they’ll push each other hard on a daily basis and when you have competition for places like that it brings the best out of everyone.”
Gray said the chance to work with Greenacre and Gothard was a major reason for returning to Wellington.
He worked with Greenacre during New Zealand’s Under-20 World Cup campaign and said he enjoyed training under him.
“When I found out Goffy was coming back it was a no-brainer to come to Wellington on loan and play a season here,” Gray said.
“He was my main goalkeeper coach growing up. He got me to where I am today.”
Gray previously spent time with the Phoenix first team during the 2021/22 season, joining the squad in Sydney as a teenager after goalkeeper Oli Sail was injured.
He described the campaign as one of his favourite seasons in football.
Gray is Wellington’s second off-season signing following the return of former Phoenix defender James McGarry from Brisbane Roar.
The club has also farewelled several players since the end of last season, including Tim Payne, Ifeanyi Eze, Manjrekar James and goalkeeper Josh Oluwayemi.
