The Wellington Phoenix have ruled out re-signing former Brazilian midfielder Fred for the remainder of the A-League season.

Phoenix CEO Tony Pignata says they have been in talks with Fred's representatives over the last couple of months, but he has decided to stay in America with his current club DC United.

Pignata says they offered him a long term deal rather than trying to bring him back to Wellington as a guest player, as they wanted him to be part of the fulltime squad.

The Brazilian playmaker joined the Phoenix last season, as a short term guest player, but that stay was cut short by the tragic death of his father in Brazil.

Fred was named the league's best player when he helped lead Melbourne to the title in 2006/7.