National League / OCL

Auckland FC II (OFC Pro League)

41 replies · 2,619 views
04 Dec 03:33 · edited 04 Dec 03:34 · History
coochiee
Probably worthy of their own thread playing in the OFC Pro League, and likely making some extra signings before the league starts next month.

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2025/12/04/luke-casserly-to-coach-auckland-fc-in-new-ofc-professional-league/
Expect their first signings to be announced next week once their reserves season ends.

Also expect there to be quite a few from outside their reserves – up to 80%.

If I get a vote, I'd go for 'Auckland FC 1.5' as their name.
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04 Dec 03:58
80% of their squad from outside the existing reserves team, would mean a heap of new signings!

Going all in on winning the League and that FIFA Intercontinental Cup cash (and later CWC dosh)??

Might be targeting a few old ACFC heads from the NZ scene with lots of valuable experience playing in the Islands. Some of Adam Mitchell, Christian Gray, Michael den Heijer, Nikko Boxall, Mario Ilich, Angus Kilkolly, Myer Bevan, Ryan de Vries etc.

Others like OVH, Monty Patterson or James Musa maybe looking for a pro gig.
Some Kiwi NPL guys like George Ott, Zac Zoricich, Ryan Feutz & Seth Clark?

Though the rumour was AFC II were only offering $30-40K for the 4-5 months this OFC league goes for??
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04 Dec 04:29 · edited 04 Dec 04:37 · History
coochiee
80% of their squad from outside the existing reserves team, would mean a heap of new signings!

Going all in on winning the League and that FIFA Intercontinental Cup cash (and later CWC dosh)??

Might be targeting a few old ACFC heads from the NZ scene with lots of valuable experience playing in the Islands. Some of Adam Mitchell, Christian Gray, Michael den Heijer, Nikko Boxall, Mario Ilich, Angus Kilkolly, Myer Bevan, Ryan de Vries etc.

Others like OVH, Monty Patterson or James Musa maybe looking for a pro gig.
Some Kiwi NPL guys like George Ott, Zac Zoricich, Ryan Feutz & Seth Clark?

Though the rumour was AFC II were only offering $30-40K for the 4-5 months this OFC league goes for??

Isa Prins to AFC II and Ryan Feutz to ChCh
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04 Dec 05:22
andrewvoerman
coochiee
Probably worthy of their own thread playing in the OFC Pro League, and likely making some extra signings before the league starts next month.

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2025/12/04/luke-casserly-to-coach-auckland-fc-in-new-ofc-professional-league/
Expect their first signings to be announced next week once their reserves season ends.

Also expect there to be quite a few from outside their reserves – up to 80%.

If I get a vote, I'd go for 'Auckland FC 1.5' as their name.
 Auckland 1.OFC was right there.
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04 Dec 05:26 · edited 04 Dec 05:26 · History
coochiee
80% of their squad from outside the existing reserves team, would mean a heap of new signings!

Going all in on winning the League and that FIFA Intercontinental Cup cash (and later CWC dosh)??

Might be targeting a few old ACFC heads from the NZ scene with lots of valuable experience playing in the Islands. Some of Adam Mitchell, Christian Gray, Michael den Heijer, Nikko Boxall, Mario Ilich, Angus Kilkolly, Myer Bevan, Ryan de Vries etc.

Others like OVH, Monty Patterson or James Musa maybe looking for a pro gig.
Some Kiwi NPL guys like George Ott, Zac Zoricich, Ryan Feutz & Seth Clark?

Though the rumour was AFC II were only offering $30-40K for the 4-5 months this OFC league goes for??

There's some names in that Auckland squad that I never thought would make it to the pro level but here we are.

Isa Prins is a good pickup for them though.
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06 Dec 05:02
Think I just sighted Tade in AFCs usual player corporate box.

You heard it here first. 
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07 Dec 22:04
20 Legend
Think I just sighted Tade in AFCs usual player corporate box.

You heard it here first. 

He's one of them. 👍
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07 Dec 22:59
He’ll be 38 next March. Hopefully for Auckland II he’s an outlier and most of their squad will be young Kiwis

He does yes bring years of experience playing in the Islands.
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10 Dec 23:06 · edited 10 Dec 23:12 · History


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10 Dec 23:21 · edited 10 Dec 23:55 · History
CB Tass Mourdoukoutas is 26 and has played in the ALM. 
Strategic signing by AFC if any of Girdwood-Reich, Pijnaker or Hall will be leaving end of this season, or even prior?

Perhaps they can sign Sarpreet Singh to AFC II to get around the ALM salary cap!!
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10 Dec 23:26 · edited 10 Dec 23:29 · History
Makes sense. Using the same rationale Zoricich as back up to Elliot, upon Sakai leaving.

Benefit of this second team playing at a decent level becoming apparent getting them into the system/city and providing potential depth to the following years A league squad.

Impressive first 5 signings.



Auckland will rise once more

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16 Dec 02:22
Isa Prins heavily linked to AFC II. If he does well and eventually moves onto AFC we really gotta to start questioning if we're not pursing players outside the academy enough.
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16 Dec 02:29 · edited 16 Dec 02:29 · History
He looked classy in the final the other day. 

Only 20 right?

Auckland will rise once more

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18 Dec 02:08
Matt Ellis, Daniel Normann, Michael den Haiijr, Oscar Mason join AFC 
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18 Dec 02:09 · edited 18 Dec 02:11 · History
Plus Isa Prins.

Michael den Heijer is no youngster (age 29). Like Tade a tonne of experience playing in the Islands which will be handy

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24 Dec 05:53
Thanks Cooch, was struggling to find this thread.

Think he is dual kiwi not Australian 

Auckland will rise once more

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25 Dec 21:28
I believe Rovy Boyers and Gordon Iro are two Solomon Islands players who spent time around Auckland FC earlier this year thanks to an OFC training programme, which has led to them being mistakenly added to the reserves list, rather than OPL signings

See: https://www.oceaniafootball.com/young-solomon-islands-stars-join-auckland-fc-through-ofc-placement-programme/

Am expecting outfielders Everton O'Leary, Codey Phoenix and Ralph Rutherford and goalkeepers Blake Callinan and Eli Jones to be included in the OPL team from the reserves

Had heard Auckland had four other players signed from outside the club, leaving just four places for any first-team players to be listed
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25 Dec 22:07 · edited 25 Dec 22:08 · History
Thanks Andrew, Any info when the squad will be publicly announced?

Auckland will rise once more

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26 Dec 04:43
AucklandPhoenix
Thanks Andrew, Any info when the squad will be publicly announced?

I would expect them to announce the rest of their squad at some stage in the week beginning January 5

Prins and Tade is probably as exciting as it gets tbh
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30 Dec 22:22 · edited 30 Dec 23:38 · History
4 young Kiwis who played National League signed for the OFC League

All 3 GK slots now filled

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2025/12/31/auckland-fc-add-four-more-players-to-their-ofc-pro-league-squad/

14 signings announced so far. Another 6-9 to go.

Tade to get the nickname 'Dad' or 'Papa'

• Oscar Mason, (21), goalkeeper, New Zealand
• Blake Callinan, (19), goalkeeper, New Zealand
• Eli Jones, (18), goalkeeper, New Zealand
• Michael Den Heijer, (29), defender, New Zealand
• Tass Mourdoukoutas, (26), defender, Australia
• Everton O’Leary, (21), defender, New Zealand
• Zac Zoricich, (23), defender, New Zealand
• Daniel Normann, (23), midfielder, Norway
• Isa Prins, (20), midfielder, New Zealand
• Ralph Rutherford, (20), winger, New Zealand
• Kian Donkers, (21), forward, New Zealand
• Matt Ellis, (24), forward, New Zealand
• Bailey Ferguson, (18), forward, Australia
• Emiliano Tade, (37), forward, New Zealand/Argentina

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01 Jan 02:52
Oscar Faulds is coming back to join this lot. 🥲
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01 Jan 03:17
YoungHeartHM
Oscar Faulds is coming back to join this lot. 🥲

That's an interesting move.
Maybe he's been told that if he impresses enough with the Reserves, he will be offered a ALM contract for 2026/27. A non visa player of course.

$NZ30-$40K or whatever it is for 5 months, ain't much in Euros.

I see Cosgrove's contract expires June this year. Though I'm sure talks will starting about an extension.
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01 Jan 03:30 · edited 01 Jan 03:30 · History
I saw that on transfermarket but I think it may be wrong.

In an interview a while back he said he had signed for two years. Wikipedia for this season whilst not always correct, I think is maintained well by AFC and that has his contract for two years. Thus far those wiki pages have been accurate regarding contracts lengths.

Auckland will rise once more

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02 Jan 00:33
Can an OFC signed player step into A League squad? Im assuming they are tied to that league and would require a “transfer” and could only do that once and not bounce back and forth? 
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02 Jan 01:30
A-League teams can have an unlimited number of youth players, but I don't know what the definition of "youth player" is. Is it a maximum age limit, or do they need to have spent a certain amount of time with the team's academy?

But I would say anybody playing for AFC II who meets whatever that definition is can be promoted to the first team squad at any time 
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02 Jan 05:40 · edited 02 Jan 05:43 · History
So far not even fringe first team squaddies like Coulibaly, Middleton, McKenlay, Gillion, Bidois, Vicelich, Ryan Mackay have been listed with AFC II for the OFC League. Looks like they are all staying around the A League squad.

Can’t see anyone from the AFC Reserves OFC side being required for the first team this ALM campaign. Not without a sudden deep run of injuries 
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08 Jan 00:24 · edited 08 Jan 00:30 · History
AFC Pro League squad.
From the OFC Pro League website.

20260108_132252.jpg 63.4 KB


Ronan Wynne also another solid pickup in there.
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09 Jan 03:32
Announcements maybe premature, who knows.

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2026/01/08/more-signings-made-as-auckland-fc-strengthen-their-ofc-pro-league-squad/

Auckland FC have made six late additions to their OFC Pro League squad, including three players joining the club from overseas.

Age group international Ronan Wynne is back from the United States, former Central League Golden Boot winner Oscar Faulds has returned from a spell in Europe, and midfielder James Bayliss joins Auckland FC from Australia.

Wynne (24) left Major League Soccer club Atlanta United in December 2025.

Striker Faulds (24) was a prolific goalscorer for Napier City Rovers before heading overseas in late 2024 for professional football with Luxembourg first division club Union Titus Pétange, and then third-tier Swedish club IF Karistad.

Bayliss (25) most recently played for NPL New South Wales club Marconi Stallions, where he was last year’s Player of the Year.

He previously played for Central Coast Mariners, making 13 men’s A-League appearances for the club. He trialled with Auckland FC in August 2024.


Western Springs’  captain Reid Drake … ready for the OFC Pro League. Photo: 

Western Springs captain and attacking midfielder Reid Drake (29) has joined the Auckland FC squad, bringing OFC Men’s Champions League experience from his time with former club Auckland City.

Left back Nathan Lobo (23) joins from National League champions Auckland City, for whom he made more than 100 first-team appearances, including OFC Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup campaigns.

American full back Jonathan Robinson (24) turned out for Western Suburbs in last season’s men’s National League, having previously played for Sporting Kansas City II.

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09 Jan 03:45
Auckland have officially announced Bayliss, Drake, Lobo and Wynne today

That leaves Burns, Carey, Faulds and Robinson from the squads posted on the OFC website on Thursday as yet unannounced (my understanding is all four have been signed)

Ellis was announced before Christmas, but wasn't in the squad posted on the OFC website on Thursday
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12 Jan 06:59
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12 Jan 21:26
Auckland FC choose a Kiwi captain impossible challenge
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13 Jan 00:23
Ummmmm


  • Ross Aloisi: The inaugural club captain, serving from 2007–2008.
  • Andrew Durante: The longest-serving captain in the club's history, leading the team from 2008–2019.
  • Steven Taylor: Served as captain from 2019–2020, and briefly in 2021 before retiring.
  • Ulises Dávila: Captain for the 2020–2021 season.
  • Alex Rufer: Became the first homegrown New Zealand player to be appointed captain in 2021 and continues to serve in this role. 

Auckland will rise once more

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13 Jan 02:27
AucklandPhoenix
Ummmmm


  • Ross Aloisi: The inaugural club captain, serving from 2007–2008.
  • Andrew Durante: The longest-serving captain in the club's history, leading the team from 2008–2019.
  • Steven Taylor: Served as captain from 2019–2020, and briefly in 2021 before retiring.
  • Ulises Dávila: Captain for the 2020–2021 season.
  • Alex Rufer: Became the first homegrown New Zealand player to be appointed captain in 2021 and continues to serve in this role. 
Dura represented the All Whites as early as 2013, so was a Kiwi from that point on.

All three Wahinix permanent captains have been Kiwi (Alfeld, Longo, Bott).

Point stands especially because they had some good NZ options to choose from.
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13 Jan 02:52
LT01
AucklandPhoenix
Ummmmm


  • Ross Aloisi: The inaugural club captain, serving from 2007–2008.
  • Andrew Durante: The longest-serving captain in the club's history, leading the team from 2008–2019.
  • Steven Taylor: Served as captain from 2019–2020, and briefly in 2021 before retiring.
  • Ulises Dávila: Captain for the 2020–2021 season.
  • Alex Rufer: Became the first homegrown New Zealand player to be appointed captain in 2021 and continues to serve in this role. 
Dura represented the All Whites as early as 2013, so was a Kiwi from that point on.

All three Wahinix permanent captains have been Kiwi (Alfeld, Longo, Bott).

Point stands especially because they had some good NZ options to choose from.


It's a pretty shark point because why on earth does nationality matter in a professional sporting environment.

Three for me, and two for them.

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13 Jan 03:18 · edited 13 Jan 03:29 · History
And the facts don’t lie - it took them 6 years to appoint a kiwi who became naturalised.

So maybe give them six years before you can have a go. You never know maybe one of their foreigners may stay and become a kiwi?

Auckland will rise once more

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15 Jan 01:28
https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2026/01/15/your-first-season-guide-to-the-groundbreaking-ofc-pro-league/

Head coach: Luke Casserly.
Key players: Tass Mourdoukoutas, Reid Drake, Emiliano Tade.
Top prospects: Oscar Mason, Everton O’Leary, Kian Donkers, Isa Prins.
Expectations: Win the league.
Predicted finish: 1st.

Though they are the only club in the league fielding a second-string team, Auckland FC may have the best and most balanced team on paper as the start date gets closer.

The A-League premiers have assembled a strong OFC Pro League squad, blending young players from the reserves squad that impressed in the men’s National League Championship, experienced heads with strong domestic track records and quality young players from around New Zealand who are looking for a first professional opportunity.

Oscar Mason is likely to start between the sticks, while a defence boasting experience such as Michael den Heijer and Tass Mourdoukoutas, beside younger stars such as Nathan Lobo and Everton O’Leary, will be tough to break down.

The uber-experienced Reid Drake will be reliable in midfield, supported by the likes of James Bayliss and Adam Carey.

In the front line, it gets exciting; Isa Prins, Matt Ellis and Kian Donkers have stood out at National League level, while veteran Emiliano Tade will combine a mentorship role as assistant coach with delivering the goods on the pitch.

Luke Casserly steps up from coaching the reserve team at National League level and will have to relish the new challenge of pressure to win in every game.

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