Liberato Cacace

Liberato Gianpaolo Cacace (born 27 September 2000) is a New Zealand professional footballer who plays as a full-back for Wellington Phoenix in the A-League.

Club career

Island Bay

As a youth, Cacace played for Island Bay United and was also a representative player of Capital Football for two years in their 1999 squad. He was chosen by former Wellington Phoenix and All Whites coach Ricki Herbert to be part of his junior elite academy.

Cacace also played for his school team at St Patrick's College in Wellington, helping them win the Wellington Premier Youth football league, scoring in the 2–1 final against Hutt International Boys' School.

Wellington Phoenix Reserves

Cacace started playing for the Wellington Phoenix Reserves in the New Zealand Football Championship in the 2016-2017 season, making 8 appearances, including 4 starts.

During the winter season, Cacace played with Wellington Phoenix feeder club Wellington United in the local Central League.

Wellington Phoenix

On 2 February 2018, Cacace made his debut for the senior side, coming on as a substitute in a 4–0 defeat against Sydney FC in the A-League. Following the end of the 2017-18 A-League season, and having made seven appearances for the club, Cacace signed a two-year professional contract with Wellington Phoenix. Cacace scored his maiden A-League goal against Central Coast Mariners in an 8-2 victory on 9 March 2019.

On the Yellow Fever supporters podcast "Phoenix City", it was revealed by Shaun Gill, Phoenix football operations manager that Cacace has another year on his contract, taking him out till the end of the 2020–2021 season.

International career

Cacace was part of the New Zealand U-17 team that won the 2017 OFC U-17 Championship, where he scored one goal. This meant that the team qualified for the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup in India. Cacace then played at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, making his World Cup debut in the 1–1 draw with Turkey, before starting again in a 4–2 loss to Paraguay and a 3–1 loss to Mali.

Cacace was selected to join the All Whites squad in the 2018 Intercontinental Cup in June 2018. He made his All Whites debut in Mumbai on 5 June 2018, against Chinese Taipei, in a 1-0 victory.

Personal life

Cacace attended St Patrick's College in Wellington. He is of Italian descent.

Honours

International

• OFC U-17 Championship: 2017

Individual

• Wellington Phoenix U-23 Player of the Year: 2018-19