Oakleigh Cannons will have to look for a new goalkeeper, as club’s Lewis Italiano signs with A-league club Wellington Phoenix for the upcoming 2013-14 season. Italiano will continue to play with Oakleigh until he is required at the New Zealand club, when he arrives in Wellington on 1 September. “I want him to play as many games as possible at a good level to get him ready, as he will probably be in goal for our opening game against Brisbane Roar with Glen Moss likely to be called up for international duty,” Phoenix coach, Ernie Merrick said. The signing is the first made by new Wellington Phoenix coach, and former Melbourne Victory coach, Ernie Merrick. Merrick said he was confident Italiano would be a valuable acquisition as he was playing well for the Cannons. “He has had a very good season in the Victorian Premier League,” Merrick said. “I’ve had several reports saying he is the best goalkeeper in the league.” Phoenix goalkeeping coach Jonathan Gould is familiar with Italiano’s potential and abilities, as he has already worked with him for a season at Perth Glory. Having been released from Perth Glory at the end of the 2012-13 A-league season, Italiano has since been playing for VPL club Oakleigh Cannons.