Triple trophy-winning defender Dan Hall has become the 13th player recruited by A-League expansion club Auckland FC.
Australia-born Hall (25) joins from the Central Coast Mariners where he was an integral part of the club’s history-making season in which they won the A-League crown, the premiers’ plate and the AFC Cup.
“There were quite a few clubs vying for Dan’s signature,” Auckland’s head coach Steve Corica said.
“He’s an outstanding player, but he really brought into what we’re aiming to achieve here and the future pathways the club can offer thanks to Bill Foley’s multi-club network.
“He’s going to slot right into that defence. He’s got a lot of experience and won a few trophies, so will likely act as a bit of a leader for some of the other lads at the club, particularly the younger scholarship players.”
Hall, who has been with the Mariners since turning professional in 2020, said: “Auckland FC has a huge amount to offer; the pathways, the potential, and the chance to be part of a debut season.
“It’s too good to turn down, to be honest.
“I’m grateful to the team at Central Coast. They are a great club and I’ve been there my whole career. But it was time for a change, to test myself somewhere new and take the next step.”
The Mariners made it clear they tried to keep Hall, who made 91 first-team appearances.
“While Hall was offered the opportunity to stay on the Coast, the defender opted to explore opportunities elsewhere,” a Mariners statement read.
Hall’s arrival at Auckland FC was revealed as its growing squad gathered to start their pre-season training programme.
Previously-announced signings are:
- Cam Howieson (29), midfielder, long-time captain of OFC Champions League winners Auckland City, and 20 caps for the All Whites.
- Francis De Vries (29), left back, joins from Eastern Suburbs and six appearances for New Zealand.
- Michael Woud (25), goalkeeper, most recently with Japanese club Kyoto Sanga, and six caps for the national team.
- Jesse Randall (21), left wing, joins from national champions Wellington Olympic, and has six caps for New Zealand.
- Tommy Smith (34), defender, pro career with clubs in the UK and United States, and 55 caps for New Zealand.
- Max Mata (23), striker, overseas experience in Switzerland, Estonia, Ireland and UK, with 14 appearances for the All Whites.
The club has also signed six players on scholarship contracts:
- Luis Toomey (22), attacking midfielder, signed from Eastern Suburbs. Formerly with the Wellington Phoenix youth set-up, he spent six months with Finnish club Pallo-Iirot.
- Liam Gillion (21), winger, signed from Auckland City. Gillion joined Auckland City after playing junior football for Manurewa and youth football for Wellington’s Western Suburbs.
- Finn McKenlay (18), midfielder, signed from Eastern Suburbs. Previous clubs include Birkenhead United, East Coast Bays and Onehunga Sports. Selected for the national team for July’s OFC Men’s U-19 Championship.
- Adama Coulibaly (19), midfielder/defender, signed from Western Springs. He’s been included in the New Zealand team for the OFC Men’s U-19 Championship in July.
- Oliver Middleton (18), midfielder, signed from Auckland United, where he has come through the club’s academy. Another selected for the national team for the OFC Men’s U-19 Championship.
- Jonty Bidois (19), forward, signed from Tauranga City. One of the leading goalscorers in this season’s Northern League, he played for Christchurch United in last year’s Men’s National League.
READ MORE: The future of Auckland FC — the young players signed on scholarship contracts >>>>
About Auckland FC
Auckland FC is majority owned by Texas billionaire Bill Foley, with former All Black Ali Williams and businesswoman Anna Mowbray as local co-owners.
Known as the Black Knights, Auckland FC will play their home games at Mt. Smart’s Go Media Stadium when the 2024-25 season starts in October 2024.
The 2024-25 Isuzu-UTE A-League season kicks off in October and Auckland FC inaugural season memberships are now on sale at the club’s website.
Auckland FC is the latest club in Foley’s growing sports portfolio, which also includes AFC Bournemouth in the English Premier League, a significant investment in FC Lorient of France’s Ligue 1, and Hibernian FC in the Scottish Premier League.
The club will enter the Liberty A-League women for the 2025-26 season.
This story was first published on July 2, 2024.
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