Auckland FC has made a statement of intent for the season ahead with the signing of English striker Sam Cosgrove.
The 28-year-old arrives at the Black Knights from League One Barnsley FC, where he scored seven goals and registered six assists across 60 games.
The striker will boost head coach Steve Corica’s attacking options, as the team look to continue the form that saw them become the fastest A-League team to score 50 goals, and the first New Zealand team to win A-League Men’s silverware.
In total, Cosgrove has scored 70 goals and registered 20 assists across 297 professional games. Career highlights include winning League One with Plymouth Argyle in 2023 and a prolific spell in the Scottish Premiership with Aberdeen FC.
Cosgrove scored 47 goals in 103 appearances for the Scottish side, including eight in Europa League Qualifying and 17 in the 2018/19 season, making him the league’s second-highest scorer.
“Sam is going to be a great acquisition and will provide firepower to the front line. He’s a proven goal-scorer and we’re pleased to have secured his signature,” says Auckland FC head coach Steve Corica.
“He is a big, physical striker who I think will be well-suited to the league. He’s also got a great deal of experience. We’re looking forward to having him as part of the group.”
Cosgrove’s arrival means Steve has a full complement of attackers to call on. With Sam and recent arrival Lachlan Brook joining Logan Rogerson, Guillermo May, Marlee François, Jonty Bidois, Liam Gillion, plus the inform Jesse Randall.
“We’re an ambitious group keen to improve on last year’s performance, so right now, we’re focused on building a squad to do that. That requires depth in every position and a team that fights for the right to play each week,” added Corica.
Cosgrove arrived in Auckland from the UK over the weekend and wasted no time meeting his new teammates.
“I’ve had a couple of training sessions now and spent some time with the team. The culture and togetherness are outstanding. Being from overseas, I’m still adjusting, but everyone has been so supportive and friendly,” says Cosgrove.
“I spent a lot of time researching the club before I made the move, and the more I heard, the more I wanted to join. What the club has achieved, the way the city has got behind the team, I was eager to be a part of it.”
The team leave for Sydney on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s semi-final Australia Cup clash against Sydney FC. They’ll then play a friendly against Western Sydney Wanderers on Wednesday.
