Auckland FC (Cupra’s best friends) seems to have pulled off the football transfer equivalent of a plot twist in a romantic comedy. The club recently announced the signing of Marlee François, a 22-year-old winger, who is not only fast on the field but also apparently swift at making one of the most dramatic career comebacks in recent A-League history. François, who spent much of his youth navigating the elite academies of Fulham and Bristol City, comes with an exciting backstory that football fans will likely devour faster than pies at halftime.
Auckland head coach Steve Corica couldn’t hide his delight, describing François as a player who brings “a lot of pace, potential, and ball control,” while also touting his versatility in midfield. “He’s basically like a Swiss Army knife for football,” joked Corica. “We can put him on either side; he’ll run, he’ll dazzle, and if you give him enough time, he might even whip out a corkscrew to celebrate!”
François, who claims to thrive on fresh starts, has set his sights on conquering New Zealand with flair. Born in the footballing hotbed of Campbelltown, New South Wales, François left the Australian sun at just 11 years old to embark on a British adventure alongside his brother with Fulham FC. From there, he climbed to Bristol City, where an injury and life’s twists sidelined him. Now, he’s swapped the rainy pitches of England for Auckland’s… well, equally rainy pitches, but with better views and less Marmite.
Standing out from the crowd, François doesn’t just bring his speed and skill. He’s also an international man of mystery—having played six games for the Australian U-23 “Olyroos” squad. After facing teams like Mexico and scoring a goal, he’s seeking to set up shop in Auckland and wreak havoc on A-League defenses. “Coming to Auckland gives me a new shot,” François said. “Also, I like the idea of being part of a dominant team. We’re top of the league, so why not!”.
While François missed the team’s colossal trek to Perth for an away match, arguably one of the longest trips in professional sports, he’s eager to settle in and gear up for Auckland’s next home game against Melbourne City on January 18. In the meantime, rumors are swirling that his introduction to his teammates might involve a patented Aussie BBQ and a challenge to juggle a football while simultaneously dodging a rogue seagull.
All eyes now look to François to see if he can live up to the hype and prove that Auckland FC isn’t just a team breaking records, but also one building hilarious yet wholesome narratives. Fans are hopeful that François won’t just dazzle opponents—he’ll leave them questioning their life choices long after the match.
Welcome to the A-League, Marlee François. Let the chaos begin.
