Moss moves to Melbourne

The Wellington Phoenix have let another star player slip through their grasp as Melbourne-bound goalkeeper Glen Moss joins Shane Smeltz in a shift across the Tasman.

Moss has signed a two-year deal with the Melbourne Victory and will link with his new side for the 2009/10 season, closely following the announcement of Smeltz' three-year deal with the newly-formed Gold Coast United.

Moss has been a Phoenix fan favourite in his 26 appearances for the club and was named the Wellington fans' player of the year in 2007/08.

The 25-year-old keeper who owns dual citizenship to Australia and New Zealand, has previously played for Sydney Olympic and Gold Coast, made a failed attempt to crack it in Europe before successfully linking with the Phoenix.

He has been locked in a battle for the No.1 jersey in Wellington with fellow All White Mark Paston and will now wage a similar battle in Melbourne.

Highly-rated Victory stopper Michael Theoklitos is off-contract at the end of the 2008/09 season, although Melbourne is keen to retain his services.

Phoenix chief executive Tony Pignata said the club had been in negotiations with Moss for some time, but failed to get the deal done.

"We got a long way down the track in our negotiations. All the bases were covered and we were at the stage where all he needed to do was sign, so it's disappointing we couldn't finalise it and he ultimately chose to go to Melbourne."

Pignata added: "He's been great. Last season he came here as the No 2 keeper but took his chance when Mark Paston was injured before the start of the competition.

"We're disappointed that he's going but we're sure he'll continue to give his all for the Phoenix for the remainder of the season."