Kiwis in OFC Pro League

coochiee

Jessie Merino

Don't think Normann is a Kiwi. Norwegian.

Cheers & noted

He's good tho. 

Elemenop

What's the estimate on what these guys will be getting paid? $50k?

 Less by all accounts

LB Adam Supyk & GK Matt Foord (both ex Weenix) confirmed for Bula FC.


South Island United - David Yoo, Lewis Partridge, Josh Rogerson, Ollie van Rijssel, Riley Grover, Oli Fay, Jaylen Rodwell, Jackson Manuel, Oskar van Hattum, Charlie Beale, Ry McLeod, Ryan Feutz, Shea Stapleton, Callum Kennett and Haris Zeb

Auckland II - Kian Donkers, Zac Zoricich, Bailey Ferguson, Isa Prins, Michael den Heijer, Matt Ellis, and Oscar Mason
Rumoured - Everton O'Leary, Codey Phoenix and Ralph Rutherford

Vanuatu United - Owen Smith and Otto Ingham

Bula FC - Adam Supyk and Matt Foord

Tahiti FC - Callum Roberson (off their Wiki page)

I see AFC picked up Isa Prins. He has 20 goals this season across CL and NL. Looked  good for Olympic in final. Only 20 yo playing as AM
Is he AL potential? Did the Nix look at him?

Matt Foord confirmed for Bula FC.

We’re thrilled to sign 19-year-old Kiwi goalkeeper Matthew Foord as our 22nd Warrior! Matt’s had standout moments with clubs like Wellington Phoenix Reserves & internationally, winning Golden Glove at the OFC U17 Qualifiers. #BulaFC #OFCProLeague pic.twitter.com/cQOpurRIZ3

— Bula FC (@thebulafc) December 22, 2025

Edit - as below Bula FC sign Fergus Gillion.

South Island United - David Yoo, Lewis Partridge, Josh Rogerson, Ollie van Rijssel, Riley Grover, Oli Fay, Jaylen Rodwell, Jackson Manuel, Oskar van Hattum, Charlie Beale, Ry McLeod, Ryan Feutz, Shea Stapleton, Callum Kennett and Haris Zeb 

Auckland II - Kian Donkers, Zac Zoricich, Bailey Ferguson, Isa Prins, Michael den Heijer, Matt Ellis, and Oscar Mason
Rumoured - Everton O'Leary, Codey Phoenix and Ralph Rutherford

Vanuatu United - Owen Smith and Otto Ingham

Bula FC - Adam Supyk, Matt Foord and Fergus Gillion

Tahiti FC - Callum Roberson (off their Wiki page)

Didn't see this one coming, so a little bit of a surprise.

Fergus Gillion joins Bula FC.

We’re pleased to announce 20-year-old Fergus Gillion, as the club's 23rd Warrior!

The midfielder arrives an impressive pedigree, having come through thWellington Phoenix ranks.

“I’m excited to work hard every day, contribute to the team’s success, & grow as a player in Fiji.” pic.twitter.com/fjemSyuN5m

— Bula FC (@thebulafc) December 22, 2025

Think it was becoming clear he wasn't going to crack the first team soon with Cassidy ahead in the pecking order and Retre back in the fold. At 20 was running out of time in the reserves. Probably a decent move for him.

Must be getting up to a dozen ex (or current) Weenix players in this OFC League now. All 3 Kiwis at Bula FC.

Four younguns for AFC II, goalkeepers Blake Callinan (19) and Eli Jones (18), full back Everton O’Leary (21) and winger Ralph Rutherford (20), who was the reserve side’s leading goal scorer in the Northern League.
https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2025/12/31/auckland-fc-add-four-more-players-to-their-ofc-pro-league-squad/

I make that 32 Kiwis signed to date for the OFC League

South Island United - David Yoo, Lewis Partridge, Josh Rogerson, Ollie van Rijssel, Riley Grover, Oli Fay, Jaylen Rodwell, Jackson Manuel, Oskar van Hattum, Charlie Beale, Ry McLeod, Ryan Feutz, Shea Stapleton, Callum Kennett and Haris Zeb 

Auckland II - Kian Donkers, Zac Zoricich, Bailey Ferguson, Isa Prins, Michael den Heijer, Matt Ellis, Oscar Mason, Everton O'Leary,  Ralph Rutherford, Blake Callinan and Eli Jones
Rumoured - Codey Phoenix

Vanuatu United - Owen Smith and Otto Ingham

Bula FC - Adam Supyk, Matt Foord and Fergus Gillion

Tahiti FC - Callum Roberson (off their Wiki page)

YH scoop that Oscar Faulds has signed, plus some other rumoured players for AFC II.

South Island United - David Yoo, Lewis Partridge, Josh Rogerson, Ollie van Rijssel, Riley Grover, Oli Fay, Jaylen Rodwell, Jackson Manuel, Oskar van Hattum, Charlie Beale, Ry McLeod, Ryan Feutz, Shea Stapleton, Callum Kennett and Haris Zeb 

Auckland II - Kian Donkers, Zac Zoricich, Bailey Ferguson, Isa Prins, Michael den Heijer, Matt Ellis, Oscar Mason, Everton O'Leary, Ralph Rutherford, Blake Callinan and Eli Jones
Rumoured - Codey Phoenix, Oscar Faulds, Jake Bayliss, Reid Drake, Nathan Lobo and Aidan Carey

Vanuatu United - Owen Smith and Otto Ingham

Bula FC - Adam Supyk, Matt Foord and Fergus Gillion

coochiee

YH scope that Oscar Faulds has signed, plus some other rumoured players for AFC II.

South Island United - David Yoo, Lewis Partridge, Josh Rogerson, Ollie van Rijssel, Riley Grover, Oli Fay, Jaylen Rodwell, Jackson Manuel, Oskar van Hattum, Charlie Beale, Ry McLeod, Ryan Feutz, Shea Stapleton, Callum Kennett and Haris Zeb 

Auckland II - Kian Donkers, Zac Zoricich, Bailey Ferguson, Isa Prins, Michael den Heijer, Matt Ellis, Oscar Mason, Everton O'Leary, Ralph Rutherford, Blake Callinan and Eli Jones
Rumoured - Codey Phoenix, Oscar Faulds, Jake Bayliss, Reid Drake, Nathan Lobo and Aidan Carey

Vanuatu United - Owen Smith and Otto Ingham

Bula FC - Adam Supyk, Matt Foord and Fergus Gillion

Gather Phoenix has ended up getting an overseas deal instead

Christian Gray to SIU. That might be them done.
Counting Gray they now have a squad of 21, with 16 of them Kiwis

AFC II at 14 players (incl couple of non Kiwis), with a few more to announce.

South Island United - David Yoo, Lewis Partridge, Josh Rogerson, Ollie van Rijssel, Riley Grover, Oli Fay, Jaylen Rodwell, Jackson Manuel, Oskar van Hattum, Charlie Beale, Ry McLeod, Ryan Feutz, Shea Stapleton, Callum Kennett, Haris Zeb and Christian Gray

Auckland II - Kian Donkers, Zac Zoricich, Bailey Ferguson, Isa Prins, Michael den Heijer, Matt Ellis, Oscar Mason, Everton O'Leary, Ralph Rutherford, Blake Callinan and Eli Jones
Rumoured - Oscar Faulds, Jake Bayliss, Reid Drake, Nathan Lobo and Aidan Carey

Vanuatu United - Owen Smith and Otto Ingham

Bula FC - Adam Supyk, Matt Foord and Fergus Gillion

Some more additions
Luka Coveny and Ishveer Singh (ex Auckland United) at Sth Melb.

AFC II - Oscar Faulds, James Bayliss, Reid Drake, Ronan Wynne, Aston Burns, Nathan Lobo and Aidan Carey.

So I think this is now the final list. I get 41 Kiwis. YH gets 39.
AV said Bailey Ferguson is a half Kiwi.

Lets hope a couple can have stand out campaigns and quickly push for higher levels like the ALM.

South Island United - David Yoo, Lewis Partridge, Josh Rogerson, Ollie van Rijssel, Riley Grover, Oli Fay, Jaylen Rodwell, Jackson Manuel, Oskar van Hattum, Charlie Beale, Ry McLeod, Ryan Feutz, Shea Stapleton, Callum Kennett, Haris Zeb and Christian Gray

Auckland II - Kian Donkers, Zac Zoricich, Bailey Ferguson, Isa Prins, Michael den Heijer, Matt Ellis, Oscar Mason, Everton O'Leary, Ralph Rutherford, Blake Callinan, Eli Jones, Oscar Faulds, James Bayliss, Reid Drake, Ronan Wynne, Aston Burns, Nathan Lobo and Aidan Carey

Vanuatu United - Owen Smith and Otto Ingham

Bula FC - Adam Supyk, Matt Foord and Fergus Gillion

South Melbourne - Luka Coveny and Ishveer Singh 

coochiee

Some more additions
Luka Coveny and Ishveer Singh (ex Auckland United) at Sth Melb.

AFC II - Oscar Faulds, James Bayliss, Reid Drake, Ronan Wynne, Aston Burns, Nathan Lobo and Aidan Carey.

So I think this is now the final list. I get 41 Kiwis. YH gets 39.
AV said Bailey Ferguson is a half Kiwi.

Lets hope a couple can have stand out campaigns and quickly push for higher levels like the ALM.

South Island United - David Yoo, Lewis Partridge, Josh Rogerson, Ollie van Rijssel, Riley Grover, Oli Fay, Jaylen Rodwell, Jackson Manuel, Oskar van Hattum, Charlie Beale, Ry McLeod, Ryan Feutz, Shea Stapleton, Callum Kennett, Haris Zeb and Christian Gray

Auckland II - Kian Donkers, Zac Zoricich, Bailey Ferguson, Isa Prins, Michael den Heijer, Matt Ellis, Oscar Mason, Everton O'Leary, Ralph Rutherford, Blake Callinan, Eli Jones, Oscar Faulds, James Bayliss, Reid Drake, Ronan Wynne, Aston Burns, Nathan Lobo and Aidan Carey

Vanuatu United - Owen Smith and Otto Ingham

Bula FC - Adam Supyk, Matt Foord and Fergus Gillion

South Melbourne - Luka Coveny and Ishveer Singh 

Haris Zeb has a couple of caps for Pakistan so that's why I didn't include him in my total. I also missed James Bayliss. So 40 it is.

They jumped the gun releasing the squads.

🤐 pic.twitter.com/Ys488PjS6o

— Andrew Voerman (@andrewvoerman) January 8, 2026

Yipe right on Haris Zeb cap tied to Pakistan now. 
But raised in ChCh and a non visa for the OFC League. More Kiwi in my book than yes Tade.

Semantics. The big picture is that 40 Kiwis now enter the pro football world, mostly for the first time and most of them young (mid 20s or below). Big shop window for them.

Can only be good for the game in NZ.

RR

They jumped the gun releasing the squads.

🤐 pic.twitter.com/Ys488PjS6o

— Andrew Voerman (@andrewvoerman) January 8, 2026

Will there need to be a peak OFC League thread!
Could be embarrassing if some of those named yesterday don't actually sign.

coochiee

RR

They jumped the gun releasing the squads.

🤐 pic.twitter.com/Ys488PjS6o

— Andrew Voerman (@andrewvoerman) January 8, 2026

Will there need to be a peak OFC League thread!
Could be embarrassing if some of those named yesterday don't actually sign.

I haven't read through the regulations of late, but I do wonder if this is in relation to injury replacements or the sort? 

I know one of the already named Auckland lads has recently suffered a season ending injury, but it would perhaps seem a little silly for the Pro League/OFC to recant information and squad lists based on that alone. 

Ishveer Singh (Auckland United) announced by South Melbourne.

𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗦𝗜𝗚𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 | 𝗜𝗦𝗛𝗩𝗘𝗘𝗥 𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗛

South Melbourne FC is pleased to confirm the signing of forward Ishveer Singh for the 2026 Oceania Professional League.

The 19-year-old forward joins Hellas from Auckland United FC, bringing experience from one of New Zealand’s… pic.twitter.com/WHRhkZNnSs

— South Melbourne FC (@smfc) January 11, 2026

AFC II. Ralph Rutherford will now miss the OFC League as he's injured.
Gillion and Vicelich added in.

Is Adama Coulibaly injured? Thought AFC may have given him a run in this comp.
Same Finn McKenlay and young CB Ryan Mackay - who got an ALM squad call up early season. Don't think any of these 3 have been in a ALM match day squad for a few months now.

South Island United - David Yoo, Lewis Partridge, Josh Rogerson, Ollie van Rijssel, Riley Grover, Oli Fay, Jaylen Rodwell, Jackson Manuel, Oskar van Hattum, Charlie Beale, Ry McLeod, Ryan Feutz, Shea Stapleton, Callum Kennett, Haris Zeb and Christian Gray

Auckland II - Kian Donkers, Zac Zoricich, Bailey Ferguson, Isa Prins, Michael den Heijer, Matt Ellis, Oscar Mason, Everton O'Leary, Blake Callinan, Eli Jones, Oscar Faulds, James Bayliss, Reid Drake, Ronan Wynne, Aston Burns, Nathan Lobo, Aidan Carey, Luka Vicelich and Liam Gillion

Vanuatu United - Owen Smith and Otto Ingham

Bula FC - Adam Supyk, Matt Foord and Fergus Gillion

South Melbourne - Luka Coveny and Ishveer Singh 

Good luck to all the young Kiwis getting their first (or 2nd) crack at pro football in this new league.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360917200/promising-wellington-attacker-isa-prins-gets-first-crack-pro-football-auckland-fc

Just like Jesse Randall – another eye-catching forward from the capital, now starring and helping Auckland avoid second-season syndrome in A-League Men – before him.

Phoenix legend Paul Ifill has coached both young men at Olympic – they were briefly team-mates early in 2024 – and has voiced his surprise at the fact that the Phoenix didn't enquire about Prins this past winter, as he began to really stand out in New Zealand amateur football.

“I really don't understand it,“ Ifill told 1News this week. ”I'm on their doorstep. You've got a former player coaching him (Prins). It was pretty plain to see he was good enough.”

Isa Prins and Wellington Olympic head coach Paul Ifill. Photo: Andrew Cornaga / Photosport

Awesome article AV, thanks for asking these questions

"I think his name was mentioned" is quite an intresting quote from someone who should be well aware of who the best domestic players are, especially when they're local and like Iffy says, coached by a former player.

a big shoutout to all of those who are maintaining and updating this thread too :-)

Two extra teenagers in AFC II's squad today at NHS verus Vanuatu United.
Nathan Martin (age 17) and Dejaun Naidoo (18).

The whole player registration thing for this OFC comp a bit fluid?

coochiee

Two extra teenagers in AFC II's squad today at NHS verus Vanuatu United.
Nathan Martin (age 17) and Dejaun Naidoo (18).

The whole player registration thing for this OFC comp a bit fluid?

They were in the matchday squad on Saturday as well. Clubs can call up under-21 players as injury replacements (in this case, Burns, Jones, Zoricich all out)

From the article linked above:

Italiano, in fairness, did already have a surplus of wide attackers in his squad, including three – Luke Brooke-Smith, Gabriel Sloane-Rodrigues and Nathan Walker – who were picked ahead of Prins by Chris Greenacre (who is also the Phoenix reserves coach) for the U-20 World Cup.

We probably shouldn't have a coach at AFC or the Nix as the national u20 coach. Massive potential conflict of interest. 

It's often been that way though. Wasn't Des Buckingham at the Nix when he coached the highly regarded 2019 U20 side?

A bigger conflict of interest does yes loom, now that NZ has two pro A League clubs. Going forward U20 team selections, could often put a AFC player up against a Nix one. So yes if say Greeny was still the national team U20s coach, that causes an issue. Accusations of bias with selections for sure.

Hopefully now that NZF stands to get it's FIFA mens WC qualification cash windfall, they can afford to have a U20s NT coach appointed full time, and not aligned with either A League club. I'm sure part of the rationale of having Greenacre as the U20s coach, was sharing his wages with the Phoenix. 

And also that by coaching day in day with the Weenix side, that kept him 'match sharp/up to date' with his coaching. Noting U20 WCs only come around every 2 years. The coach would need some other role at NZF to keep busy hands on coaching.

Didn’t the All Whites coach used to do the job as well?

AucklandPhoenix

Didn’t the All Whites coach used to do the job as well?

That's sort of fine half way through a WC cycle like in 2023, when yes I think Bazeley was in charge for the U20 WC in Argentina.

But no way that could have worked last year with the U20 WC in Chile (and all the pre tourney prep involved), and the AWs having a full schedule of important friendlies through the various windows as they build towards May-June this year.

U20s NT coach could also coach the Olywhites U23s/22s. 
Maybe be an AWs assistant coach, to keep them busy on the NZF pay roll.

So PNG hub finishes today.

After 5-6 rounds who are the Kiwis standing out, and are any a possibility to play at a higher level like the ALM? Very early days and all that.

I've only watched handful of games, but I'd go -

Owen Smith, Oscar Mason, Ronan Wynne, Reid Drake, Matt Ellis, Bailey Ferguson, David Yoo and Haris Zeb.

Liam Gillion has stood out as you'd hope he would at this level.

Isa Prins has been a bit disappointing, but I've missed most of AFC II's matches.

YoungHeartHM

coochiee

Some more additions
Luka Coveny and Ishveer Singh (ex Auckland United) at Sth Melb.

AFC II - Oscar Faulds, James Bayliss, Reid Drake, Ronan Wynne, Aston Burns, Nathan Lobo and Aidan Carey.

So I think this is now the final list. I get 41 Kiwis. YH gets 39.
AV said Bailey Ferguson is a half Kiwi.

Lets hope a couple can have stand out campaigns and quickly push for higher levels like the ALM.

South Island United - David Yoo, Lewis Partridge, Josh Rogerson, Ollie van Rijssel, Riley Grover, Oli Fay, Jaylen Rodwell, Jackson Manuel, Oskar van Hattum, Charlie Beale, Ry McLeod, Ryan Feutz, Shea Stapleton, Callum Kennett, Haris Zeb and Christian Gray

Auckland II - Kian Donkers, Zac Zoricich, Bailey Ferguson, Isa Prins, Michael den Heijer, Matt Ellis, Oscar Mason, Everton O'Leary, Ralph Rutherford, Blake Callinan, Eli Jones, Oscar Faulds, James Bayliss, Reid Drake, Ronan Wynne, Aston Burns, Nathan Lobo and Aidan Carey

Vanuatu United - Owen Smith and Otto Ingham

Bula FC - Adam Supyk, Matt Foord and Fergus Gillion

South Melbourne - Luka Coveny and Ishveer Singh 

Haris Zeb has a couple of caps for Pakistan so that's why I didn't include him in my total. I also missed James Bayliss. So 40 it is.