Francis de Vries
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 28 November 1994 | ||
| Place of birth | Christchurch, New Zealand | ||
| Height | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) | ||
| Position | Defender | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Auckland FC | ||
| Number | 15 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| –2011 | Canterbury United | ||
| 2012 | FC Basel | ||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2013–2016 | Saint Francis Red Flash | 79 | (15) |
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2011–2012 | Canterbury United | 1 | (0) |
| 2014–2016 | Michigan Bucks | 32 | (2) |
| 2017 | Whitecaps FC 2 | 20 | (0) |
| 2017–2018 | Canterbury United | 15 | (1) |
| 2018 | Nyköpings BIS | 11 | (0) |
| 2019–2022 | IFK Värnamo | 97 | (5) |
| 2023–2024 | Eastern Suburbs | 40 | (7) |
| 2024– | Auckland FC | 41 | (3) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2021– | New Zealand | 14 | (1) |
|
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 20 January 2026 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 16 November 2025 | |||
Francis de Vries (Dutch: [ˈfrɑn.sɪs də ˈvrizə];[1] born 28 November 1994) is a New Zealand professional footballer who plays for A-League club Auckland FC and the New Zealand men's national football team.
Club career
De Vries was initially scouted to attend the APFA Academy in Christchurch, New Zealand under the guidance of professional coaches Giovani Fernandes and Jess Ibrom. The academy had a direct relationship with Chelsea FC as well as a number of professional clubs around the World including FC Basel in Switzerland. De Vries signed with local side Canterbury United, before getting the opportunity to sign a 6-month contract with FC Basel in 2012.[2] Following his release by Basel, De Vries opted to move to the United States to play college soccer at Saint Francis University, where he played for four years and made 79 appearances, scoring 15 goals.[3]
While at college, De Vries played with Premier Development League side Michigan Bucks.[4]
On 13 January 2017, De Vries was selected in the second round (29th overall) of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft by Vancouver Whitecaps FC.[5] He signed to Whitecaps FC 2 on 16 March 2017.[6]
On 24 November 2017, De Vries signed with ISPS Handa Premiership side Canterbury United FC.[7]
On 21 July 2018, De Vries signed with Nyköpings BIS in the Division 1 Norra.[8]
In January 2019, De Vries joined Division 1 Södra side IFK Värnamo. He played a key part in his club's consecutive promotions to the Allsvenskan and appeared in their first eleven top-flight games, but suffered a severe anterior cruciate ligament injury in July 2022 and returned to New Zealand to recover.[9][10]
On 30 May 2024, De Vries joined Auckland FC as one of 4 inaugural sigings.[11] On 30 November, De Vries scored his first A-League goal in a 2–0 win over the Newcastle Jets. He later won the Members’ Player of the Season award for the 2024–25 season.[12]
International career
Born in New Zealand, De Vries is of Dutch and Swiss descent.[13] On 16 November 2021, De Vries made his international debut for New Zealand as a 95th minute substitute in a friendly match against The Gambia.[14] De Vries scored his first goal for the All Whites in a World Cup qualifying match against Samoa, an 8–0 win at Go Media Stadium.[15]
Career statistics
Club
| Club | Season | League | National Cup | Continental | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
International goals
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 18 November 2024 | Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand |  Samoa |
6–0 | 8–0 | 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification |
Honours
IFK Värnamo[16]
Auckland FC
Individual
- A-League Men Player of the Month: December 2024, December 2025
- Auckland FC Members' Player of the Season: 2024–25
- A-League Men Fan Player of the Year: 2024–25
- PFA Team of the Season: 2024–25
References
- ^ https://www.instagram.com/reel/DO7XCmGCfrr/?igsh=MWkzYWk3ZmFjd2NpYw==
- ^ "Michigan Bucks' Francis De Vries". Uslpdl.com. 2 August 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
- ^ "Saint Francis University Red Flash Athletics - Francis De Vries - 2016". Sfuathletics.com. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
- ^ "Francis De Vries". Uslpdl.com. 13 January 2017. Archived from the original on 4 April 2017. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
- ^ "Whitecaps FC select Francis de Vries in the second round of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft | Vancouver Whitecaps FC". Whitecapsfc.com. 28 November 1994. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
- ^ "Whitecaps FC sign centre back Francis De Vries to WFC2 roster | Vancouver Whitecaps FC". Whitecapsfc.com. 17 March 2017. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
- ^ "Canterbury United sign promising defender Francis De Vries as pro football career stalls". stuff.co.nz. 24 November 2017. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
- ^ "Francis de Vries klar för Nyköping". svenskalag.se. 21 July 2018. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
- ^ "'Is it real?': Francis de Vries helps tiny Swedish club reach top-flight status". Stuff. 13 November 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
- ^ "Eastern Suburbs land three big signings ahead of new Northern League season". 14 March 2023.
- ^ "Auckland FC unveil first signings ahead of debut season". Auckland FC. 30 May 2024.
- ^ "A Knight of Celebration for Auckland FC". Auckland FC. 30 May 2025. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
- ^ Cranford, Aaron (2 August 2016). "Michigan Bucks' Francis De Vries". USL League Two.
- ^ "Three wins in a row for the All Whites after 2-0 victory over The Gambia". NZ Football. 17 November 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
- ^ "Francis de Vries scores first All Whites goal as New Zealand thrash Samoa 8–0". New Zealand Football. 18 November 2024. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
- ^ Francis de Vries at Soccerway