Club CEO Tony Pignata picked up Fred and his family this morning from Wellington airport and he said the Brazilian was rapt to be back in the A-League.

"He's so happy to be back in the A-League – he loves the A-League," said Pignata. "He loved his time in Melbourne but he's really keen to lock horns with the clubs - and, of course, Melbourne."

Fred's dynamism helped lift Victory to their first A-League crown in season two, in turn creating new crowd records at Telstra Dome. Pignata is hopeful that the DC United star can do the same for Phoenix.

Wellington's attendances have dropped alarmingly in the last eight weeks with crowds of under 7,000 for some games.

Pignata sees Fred as the circuit-breaker for a club that regularly pulled over 14,000 to Westpac Stadium last season.

"It'll be great for fans to see him perform on the big stage," he said. "The press here have picked up on the fact he's here but probably more so in Australia.

"But the fans have definitely picked up on it, particularly the Melbourne Victory fans who are a bit shocked he's come to join us and not coming back to Melbourne.

Pignata added: "He'll bring a lot of attractions to the club. And he's really excited."

Fred is set to debut in the first of his six-game stint this Sunday against Newcastle Jets.

The following Friday night the lively playmaker plays a second home game in a row against his former employers Melbourne Victory.