Francis de Vries
 De Vries playing for the All Whites in March 2026. | |||
| 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 | 50 | (3) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2021– | New Zealand | 17 | (1) |
|
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 1 April 2026 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 1 April 2026 | |||
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 national team.
Club career
[edit]Canterbury United
[edit]De Vries played for Canterbury United in his youth. He played in the team which won the ASB Premiership Youth League in 2011.
FC Basel
[edit]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 all around the World including FC Basel in Switzerland. In 2012, De Vries would sign a six month contract with their Under-18s side.[2]
Saint Francis University
[edit]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]
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2
[edit]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]
Canterbury United FC
[edit]On 24 November 2017, De Vries signed with ISPS Handa Premiership side Canterbury United FC.[7]
Nyköpings BIS
[edit]On 21 July 2018, De Vries signed with Nyköpings BIS in the Division 1 Norra.[8]
IFK Värnamo
[edit]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]
Eastern Suburbs
[edit]In 2023 following his return from injury, De Vries signed with Semi-Professional side Eastern Suburbs in the New Zealand Northern League.[10]
Auckland FC
[edit]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] De Vries would feature in Auckland FC's first 50 matches, becoming the first player to play 50 matches for the club, before suffering a calf injury which ruled him out for 6 weeks.[13]
International career
[edit]Born in New Zealand, De Vries is of Dutch and Swiss descent.[14] 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.[15] 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.[16]
Career statistics
[edit]Club
[edit]| Club | Season | League | National Cup | Continental | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
International goals
[edit]| 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
[edit]IFK Värnamo[17]
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
[edit]- ^ 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.
- ^ Rollo, Phillip (31 March 2026). "Auckland FC dealt major blow as All Whites defender Francis de Vries ruled out for rest of regular season". Stuff.co.nz.
- ^ 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
External links
[edit] | ||
- 1994 births
- Living people
- Men's association football defenders
- New Zealand men's association footballers
- New Zealand men's international footballers
- New Zealand people of Dutch descent
- New Zealand people of Swiss descent
- Saint Francis Red Flash men's soccer players
- Flint City Bucks players
- Whitecaps FC 2 players
- Auckland FC players
- Expatriate men's soccer players in Canada
- USL League Two players
- USL Championship players
- Vancouver Whitecaps FC draft picks
- Association footballers from Christchurch
- 21st-century New Zealand sportsmen
- New Zealand National League players
- New Zealand expatriate men's association footballers
- New Zealand expatriate sportspeople in the United States
- Expatriate men's soccer players in the United States
- New Zealand expatriate sportspeople in Canada
- New Zealand expatriate sportspeople in Sweden
- Expatriate men's footballers in Sweden
- 2026 FIFA World Cup players