Melbourne Victory today announced that New Zealand international goalkeeper Glen Moss will join the club from Wellington Phoenix for the Hyundai A-League 2009/10 season.

Moss, who is also an Australian citizen, will spend the remainder of the Hyundai A-League 2008/09 season with Phoenix before moving across the Tasman to Victory on a two-year deal.

The All Whites custodian has also had stints in England, Scotland and Romania and is currently in Fiji for New Zealand’s 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Fiji this Wednesday.

Victory Football Operations Manager Gary Cole said Moss was a welcomed addition to the club alongside current goalkeepers Michael Theoklitos and Mitchell Langerak.

“Glen is 25, has played eight times for New Zealand and, up until just recently, has been the number one choice in Wellington,” Cole said.

“He’s a fantastic addition to our squad.”

Cole addressed speculation that Moss’ signing could pave the way for Theoklitos’ departure following the Hyundai A-League 2008/09 season, confirming the club is keen to keep last season’s Goalkeeper of the Year.

“We’re hoping Michael will stay,” Cole said.

“Michael’s made no secret of the fact he’s got ambitions to play in Europe and if something comes up we obviously don’t want to leave ourselves short.

“He’s requested to put off contract negotiations until the end of the season and we just think we’re in a great position right now with Michael, Mitch and Glen.

“Our goalkeeping ranks couldn’t be better.”

Cole said that despite inclusion of new clubs Gold Coast United and North Queensland Fury next season, Victory will boast one of the Hyundai A-League’s strongest goalkeeping line-ups.

“As always, the goal each season is to try and strengthen the squad.

“That’s a challenge with two new clubs coming in because that will dilute the strength of the squads, but this particular area we’re going to have fantastic strength.”

WOW strongest goalkeeping line-ups in the A-League !!

MELBOURNE Victory have signed Wellington Phoenix goalkeeper Glen Moss for the next A-League season, adding to speculation they will lose Michael Theoklitos.

Victory football operations manager Gary Cole said the Victory were hoping to retain No.1 keeper Theoklitos and 20-year-old Mitch Langerak, as well as securing Moss.

But he acknowledged 27-year-old Theoklitos had postponed contract talks and expressed a desire to play in Europe.

“He's made no secret of the fact he's got ambitions to play in Europe and if something came up for him we obviously don't want to leave ourselves short,” Cole said on Tuesday.

Moss, 25, a nine-time New Zealand representative, was the Phoenix's first-choice keeper until recently being shunted to the bench in favour of fellow All Whites representative Mark Paston.

He is the second experienced player lost by Wellington this month.

Star striker Shane Smeltz recently announced he had signed a three-year deal with the new Gold Coast club from next season.

Phoenix chief executive Tony Pignata said the club had believed they were close to signing Moss after a long period of negotiation.

“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 said.

Meanwhile, Victory skipper Kevin Muscat said his side's defence faced its biggest test of the season in their top of the table clash with Central Coast Mariners at Telstra Dome on Friday night.

The Mariners, boasting four quality strikers in Matt Simon, Dylan Macallister, Sasho Petrovski and Nik Mrdja, have scored a league-high 23 goals in 11 games this season, including a 3-0 win over Adelaide last weekend.

“I was lucky enough to watch that game on the weekend and they scored three goals off set pieces,” Muscat said.

“They seem to use three big boys up front very effectively so it's important we get on top of that battle.

“They're a physical bunch, we're going to have to match them in that area.”

The Victory's scoring power will be boosted by the return from injury of classy attacking midfielder Carlos Hernandez.