A POWYS based goalkeeper is looking ahead to an exciting new chapter in his career.

Ed Harding, head of goalkeeping at JD Cymru Premier side Newtown, leaving the club to take up a new role with Wellington Phoenix FC who finished runners up in the Australian A league this season.

Phoenix based in New Zealand is one of the few clubs in the world to compete in a league of a different confederation (AFC) from that of the country where it is based (OFC).

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The club plays matches at Sky Stadium, a 34,500-seat multi-purpose venue in Wellington.

Harding played at Newtown Academy as a junior before returning as head of goalkeeping after gaining his coaching degree at Liverpool John Moores University and attaining his UEFA A licence.

He has also played for Welshpool, Guilsfield and Caersws in the Welsh pyramid and St Helens in the English non-league set-up.