‘Family was a big reason’: Kosta Barbarouses explains his return to Wellington Phoenix

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Four-time A-League champion, Kosta Barbarouses, recently signed a two-year deal with Wellington Phoenix FC with the hope of delivering his hometown club their first championship.

Despite having offers to stay at Sydney FC and other rival clubs, the Greek New Zealander knew it was time to sign for the Kiwi side for the third time.

“I had a pretty good three years in Sydney and they offered me another contract to stay on, but I hadn’t seen my family for three years and my two young kids had never met any of their family in New Zealand, so I decided to return home,” Barbarouses told The Football Sack.

The 32-year-old revealed that the last time he saw his mother, prior to returning home this year, was on his 30th birthday. It was the first time both his children met their grandmother.

“Family was a big reason,” Barbarouses said.

“It’s been nice for the kids to get to know their grandparents and cousins, so it’s been really great. My wife and I finally have a babysitter, my mother, so we can get a day off to ourselves now!”

Pointing to his hometown championship dream, Barbarouses said: “To win it for my hometown team dream would be a dream come true. Everyone knows how difficult it is to win one A-League title.”

SOURCE: The Football Sack

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