New Zealand men’s football is on the brink of a golden period. That’s the only conclusion to draw from a staggering few months, which has seen a number of young players make career defining moves to big European clubs.
It’s happened faster – and on a much larger scale – than anyone could have predicted and if everything goes to plan, the All Whites could end up with their strongest ever squad later this decade.
Just look at the evidence. In late June Marko Stamenic, who grew up in Stokes Valley and has a mix of Samoan and Serbian heritage, was signed by English Premier League club Nottingham Forest for almost $10 million. It’s an extraordinary move for the 22-year-old, who was playing club football in Wellington four years ago.
Earlier in June young goalkeeper Alex Paulsen (21) was plucked from the Wellington Phoenix by another Premier League outfit – AFC Bournemouth. Paulsen has just completed his first full A League season – with only 36 Phoenix appearances to his name – but Bournemouth saw something special,
with a fee that could rise to $4 million.
His Wellington clubmate, midfielder Ben Old has linked up with French first division club St Etienne and could become just the second Kiwi to play in Ligue One. It’s an unusual move, as most young Kiwis land in Scandinavia or minor European leagues for their first stop, though Old is
a unique talent.
Another Phoenix prodigy, central defender Finn Surman (20), has been tracked by several clubs and is tipped to move to an MLS franchise in the United States.
For context, across the last 32 years, there have been just six Kiwis to feature in the English top flight; now two have joined Premier League outfits in a matter of months.
There’s more. Fullback Libby Cacace (23) stepped into the unknown back in January 2022, when he became the first Kiwi to play for an Italian Serie A club.
Two years on, he has accumulated 54 matches at FC Empoli and is tipped to move
to a Bundesliga club in Germany soon.
Matt Garbett (22) will feature in the Dutch first division next season, after his club NAC Breda was promoted, joining two other Kiwis at Eredivisie clubs.
This country has produced some great players over the years – from Wynton Rufer to Ryan Nelsen to Wood – but there has never been so much young talent emerge at once. The fruiting of the vineyard has come at a perfect time, with the All Whites granted a clearer pathway to the expanded, 48 team FIFA World Cup tournament from 2026. Football is incredibly competitive – given its global popularity – but New Zealand look well placed to compete at future major events, if they can capitalise on this boom.
Stamenic is a case in point. He has progressed from a teenager with potential to a bona fide player, with more than 100 professional matches in Europe on his CV. He’s technical, talented and tough, with the right mix of humility and confidence.
“You have to have a different mentality when you come to Europe as a young player,” Stamenic told me last year, “Because coming from New Zealand, they don’t know what to expect. You have to prove yourself – to your coaches, your teammates – and build that reputation. There are ups and downs; you just have to deal with the downs and appreciate the ups but the biggest thing for me was focusing on the end goal and working hard day by day. If you let your guard down, things can start to crumble.”
Michael Burgess
Sports Writer