Young Kiwis in UK

Hutcho137

coochiee

Niche Cache end of season summary of some of the young Kiwis in the UK.

Perhaps of most note is that Marley Leuluai is still only playing U18s not U21s football at Burnley. He captained the NZ U17s 2 years ago when in the Man City youth system, but he might miss out on the NZ U20s this year??

Noah Dupont on the other hand as a 17 yr old is already playing U21s at West Brom as a CB, and has signed a pro deal. And from memory are quite a few CB candidates around the ALM clubs (incl Aussie) plus James Bulkeley stateside. Leuluai's best bet might be as a DM, if Greenacre sees him there.


Then there’s also Josh Redfearn who scored seven goals with one assist in 28 appearances for Welling United in the sixth tier, as well as a few more in cup competition (including the winner in the Kent Senior Cup final), but that wasn’t enough to keep his club from relegation. We could wrangle up a few more below that level but let’s not get carried away.

Plus of course there are a several dudes involved with academy systems, some of the bigger names being Marley Leuluai (Burnley), Noah Dupont (West Brom), Joe Wallis (West Brom), and Adam Watson (Stoke City). Wallis and Dupont have both played U21s this season (Wallis is 19yo, Dupont is 17yo) and Dupont recently signed his first pro deal. Watson spent the bulk of this season on loan with Witton Albion in non-league stuff.

Leuluai mostly plays U18s for Burnley, whose first team just got promoted back to the Premier League. He missed four months with injury at the start of the campaign but played regularly for them in the second half as they won the U18 Professional Development League northern conference (before losing in the PDL playoff semi-finals against Watford this week – although Marley didn’t play that match). Leuluai and Watson are coming to the end of their current contracts so they could seek other pastures if they wish.

Marley Leuluai will come off contract in 2026, and Jacob Borgnis (Reading) has been offered a new contract 

Injuries heavily affected Marley's season and a quick search on club website shows more involvement in U21s than U18s game the last 6 or so games.

This also shows he is one of only three U18 on pro contracts, and 13 U18-U21 players were released.

Not sure on chances or status with fitness for U20 world cup, but would be a real shame to miss that after being captain at U17s

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One to keep an eye on. If Reading are still operating under restrictions re signing new players, he may not be far off the first team.

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2025/07/14/young-kiwi-agrees-new-deal-with-english-league-one-club-reading/

Jacob Borgnis, a young player with New Zealand citizenship, has signed an extension to his professional contract with English League One club Reading.

Borgnis (22) has been at Reading since 2021 and has extended his deal for next season.

He can play as a defender or midfielder.

Last season, he was an ever-present in the club’s U-21 team, making 15 appearances and captaining the team in their last four Premier League 2 fixtures.

coochiee

One to keep an eye on. If Reading are still operating under restrictions re signing new players, he may not be far off the first team.

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2025/07/14/young-kiwi-agrees-new-deal-with-english-league-one-club-reading/

Jacob Borgnis, a young player with New Zealand citizenship, has signed an extension to his professional contract with English League One club Reading.

Borgnis (22) has been at Reading since 2021 and has extended his deal for next season.

He can play as a defender or midfielder.

Last season, he was an ever-present in the club’s U-21 team, making 15 appearances and captaining the team in their last four Premier League 2 fixtures.

Borgins came off the bench in a trail game against Gillingham on the 66th min 0-0 Draw

Worthy of his own thread?

Marley Leuluai with first team minutes for Burnley against Huddersfield Town in their pre season game this morning.

Got on the pitch for the last 20 or so. Good stuff!

Another round of changes for Burnley.

⬆️ Westley, Tweedy, Pimlott, Pye, Leuluai, Bauress and Brierley

⬇️ Hannibal, Esteve, Koleosho, Foster, Laurent, Hartman & Ekdal

0-1

— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) July 26, 2025

This year’s NZU20s could be a strong team by our standards if a guy like Leuluai can’t make it

That is pre season mins at a senior EPL club after all

Looks like Adam Watson has left the Stoke City academy and has moved to Butler University, USA

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2025/08/05/english-premier-league-club-sunderland-sign-age-group-international/

New Zealand age group international Alex Lienard has signed a scholarship contract with English Premier League club Sunderland.

Lienard (16) has come through Sunderland’s youth academy and is among the latest intake of U-18 academy players to sign as scholars for the 2025-26 season.

Sunderland, who won promotion to the English Premier League this year, run a professional development programme, under coaches Jordan Moore and Fin Lynch, to guide players into full-time careers.

Lienard can play as a defender or in a defensive midfield role, and has dual England/New Zealand citizenship.

Alex Lienard playing for New Zealand at the 2024 OFC U-17 Men’s Championship. Photo credit: OFC Media / DJ Mills / Phototek.

He captained the New Zealand team that won the 2024 OFC U-16 Men’s Championship in Tahiti, to qualify for the 2025 FIFA U-17 Men’s World Cup in Qatar.

A few young Kiwis on show in the UK for the opening round of the Premier League 2 this weekend.

Henry Gray in goal for Ipswich as his side is currently trailing 1-0 at home against Derby County.

Marley Leuluai at Burnley should feature more prominently this season by the look of things, and he did start and get 60 minutes the other day in the National League Cup - A 2-1 defeat at Rochdale (1-0 when he came off). Burnley take on Wolves on Tuesday morning.

Joe Wallis and Noah DuPont at West Bromwich Albion. Wallis a full 90 in a 3-1 defeat to Forest Green in the National League Cup earlier this week. No DuPont, but I reckon he'll turn up in the academy side before too long. They're also drawn to face Tommy Smith's Braintree Town in the cup later on this year too.

Jacob Borgnis with the start this morning as Reading take on Norwich. Currently 1-1 heading towards H/T.

Great to see Marley Leuluai named on the bench tonight for Premier Division side Burnley in their 2-1 EFL Cup victory over Derby County. Shame he didn't get on the pitch, but there's always the next round!

The Baggies beat Juventus, you don't hear that too often... 😏

A fantastic triumph at The Hawthorns in the Premier League International Cup for our young Baggies! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/iwp2gbbuB5

— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) October 8, 2025

Back from the U20 World Cup, Dupont made his return as West Brom’s U21s claimed a triumph over Juventus at The Hawthorns in the Premier League International Cup.

Noah came on in the 77th minute. Still eligible for the U18s, making his fourth U21 appearance, with two starts and two off the bench.

💪 Ready for tonight's #PL2 clash at Everton... pic.twitter.com/REzu1N5Edw

— SAFC Academy (@AcademyOfLight) February 20, 2026

Only 17 Alex makes his starting debut