According to reports from New Zealand, the deal is almost done with just some loose ends to tie up. A decision by Soccer NZ was expected a week ago but the franchise needed more time to work with the national body to shore up investment.

Soccer NZ CEO Graham Seatter has spent the week in Wellington bedding down various issues with the new owners.

The A-League licence will be held by the governing body but it will be sub-leased to the Wellington organisation. It’s expected that Kiwi national coach Ricki Herbert will coach the side.

In other news, NZ Soccer has confirmed World Cup 2006 quarter finalist Ukraine will play them in a friendly in Kiev on June 3. The Kiwis will also play Wales on May 27. "These are the sort of fixtures we need if were ever going to be serious about returning to the World Cup," Herbert told nzsoccer.com