NorthEast United sign former Wellington Phoenix defender Dylan Fox

The 26-year-old has spent a major chunk of his professional career in Australian football.

NorthEast United have roped in Northern Irishman Dylan Fox ahead of the upcoming 2020-21 season of the Indian Super League (ISL). The Highlanders have picked up pace with their foreign recruitment for next season, as Fox becomes their second overseas signing in less than 48 hours.

Dylan Fox began his youth career with Sydney-based outfit Sutherland Sharks in Australia. He went on to represent their senior team for a while before moving to another Australian club Bonnyrigg White Eagles in 2014. He was one of the regulars in the team, as he went on make over 40 appearances for the club that season.

Thereafter, the defender was picked up by A-League giants Wellington Phoenix, who first inducted him into their reserves team. Rising through the ranks, Fox established himself as a first-team player and spent four seasons at the club. After a short stint with South Korean outfit FC Ananyag, Dylan Fox returned to the A-League and signed for the Central Coast Mariners, for whom he played during the 2019-20 season.

Meanwhile, NorthEast United had a forgettable previous campaign which also saw former head coach Robert Jarni get sacked, as they finished in the penultimate position. Interim coach Khalid Jamil replaced the Croatian tactician in the latter part of the season, but couldn't do much as the Highlanders' fate was already decided.

In the subsequent summer transfer window, the club appointed the experienced Gerard Nus as their new head coach for the upcoming season. The 35-year-old Spaniard has previously been associated with several top flight clubs including Liverpool FC, Brighton and Hove Albion, Rayo Vallecano as well as the Ghana national team.

The Highlanders were more or less silent in the early part of the window, but have gradually brought in the likes of Mauritania international Khassa Camara, Portuguese winger Luis Machado and Belgian defender Benjamin Lambot. With Dylan Fox the newest addition to that list, NorthEast United fans can expect a resurgence in the competition next season.