Francis de Vries

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It all started in Christchurch, where I attended the APFA Academy under coaches like Giovani Fernandes and Jess Ibrom. The academy had strong connections with clubs like Chelsea FC and FC Basel, and that opened a lot of doors for me early on. After playing for Canterbury United locally, I signed a six-month contract with FC Basel in Switzerland in 2012. That was my first real exposure to European football.

Basel was a great experience. It gave me a firsthand look at how professional clubs in Europe operate. Although my time there was short, I learned a lot about discipline and the physical and mental demands of the professional game. When my contract ended, I decided to pursue a different path by moving to the U.S. to play college soccer.

After leaving Basel, I wanted to combine football with education, so I moved to the U.S. and joined Saint Francis University. I played college soccer there for four years, and it was a great balance between academics and sports. I made 79 appearances and scored 15 goals, which helped me develop as a player while earning a degree.

Playing for Michigan Bucks was an important part of my growth as a player. The PDL was competitive, and it helped me stay sharp during the off-season. It also allowed me to showcase my abilities, which eventually led to me being drafted into Major League Soccer.

Getting drafted by the Vancouver Whitecaps was a huge moment. I signed with Whitecaps FC 2, their second team, in March 2017. Playing in the MLS system was a great experience, but after a season, I decided to return to New Zealand and sign with Canterbury United again. It felt like the right time to come home and get more game time.

Playing in Sweden was another important chapter for me. Nyköpings BIS and IFK Värnamo both gave me the chance to experience European football again but in a different setting. The physicality and intensity of the game in Sweden were something I had to adapt to, and it pushed me to improve my defensive skills and overall game awareness.

Auckland FC presented an exciting opportunity. The idea of being part of a club in its very first A-League season was appealing, and I wanted to be a part of something fresh and ambitious.

I made my debut in a friendly against The Gambia in 2021, coming on as a substitute in the 95th minute. Representing New Zealand at the international level is something I’m really proud of, especially being of Dutch and Swiss descent. It’s an honour to wear the national team jersey, and I hope to continue contributing to the team in the future.

My main goal is to help Auckland FC establish itself in the A-League. I want to be a solid presence in defence and contribute to the team’s success. We have a great group of players, and I think we can achieve something special. For myself, I just want to keep growing as a player and be a leader on and off the pitch.