Gary Hooper can now safely say he’s a professional globe trotter. The Englishman has had an interesting career since leaving Celtic.
Last season he found himself playing in India after his stint in New Zealand with Wellington Phoenix.
However, the striker, 33, has sensationally returned to Wellington to join up with his old manager and teammates.
The news was confirmed overnight by the club and it sees Gary head back to somewhere where he enjoyed his football.
.@HOOP588 has returned!!!
(mic drop)
⚫️? | https://t.co/SAVRs4rhYc
— Wellington Phoenix (@WgtnPhoenixFC) June 15, 2021
“I’m really happy to be fair, signing a two-year deal and being back with the same staff, same manager and a lot of the same players – and my family and I really like living in Wellington as well.” Hooper told the Wellington website.
We had a good season when I was there last, but obviously Covid messed that up a bit.”
“It’ll be exciting to play in front of crowds again; everyone has missed fans [at football matches] all over the world, and I remember at our home games [in the 2019/20 season] that the Wellington fans were great.”
“I missed the players and the bond we had together – in that season when we came third, it was unlucky that I got injured before the Elimination Final game.
“But it was the bond we had that I remember, the way we played and the way the manager [Coach Ufuk Talay] set us up; his system and him just letting us play football.”
Hooper was a top star for Celtic under Neil Lennon the first time around but the player’s desire to make an impact down south ultimately ended his Celtic stay.
Like many players after leaving Celtic, I don’t think Hoops realised how good he had it at the club and looks back at his time in Glasgow as one of the best times in his career.
Ambition is always going to be there when it comes to playing in a superior league but Celtic are massive and players need to remember that. Some of them might go on to play in a better league but they never play for a bigger club.
We wish Hooper all the best in Wellington!
