Auckland FC: Black Knights confirm signing of Marley Leuluai on scholarship deal

After five years there, he signed a professional contract with Burnley where he played for their Under-21s and reserves teams, making 14 appearances in the Premier League 2 competition.

“I’m buzzing to get started,” Leuluai said. “Playing against Spurs was a dream come true and I’m excited to create more memorable moments with the club.”

Leuluai plays as a defensive midfielder and he made an early impression in the match against Spurs, with a classy slide tackle on Brazilian international Richarlison.

Auckland FC director of football Terry McFlynn said it was a big signing for the club.

“Signing and developing top Kiwi talent is what we’re all about as a club and Marley fits the bill perfectly,” McFlynn said. “He has impressed us during his time here and we’re pleased to be signing him.

“He has been on quite the journey, playing in some top academies. He has shown a lot of determination and resilience, just the sort of characteristics we like. He also has a lot of potential that we think fans will really appreciate.”

Auckland FC’s squad have gone through a big overhaul as they prepare for their title defence, which begins against Melbourne City on October 17.

They’ve brought in Lachlan Bayliss, Aaron Cartwright and Aaron Calver, while promoting Daniel Norman and Ronan Wynne from their OFC Pro League squad.

Midfielder Cam Howieson, who scored the only goal in the A-League grand final, has signed a two-year deal, while Chilean midfielder Felipe Gallegos has extended his stay for another season.

Goalkeeper Michael Woud, who was part of the All Whites’ World Cup squad, has also signed an undisclosed extension.

Forward Jonty Bidois and midfielder Oliver Middleton, who were on scholarship deals, have been upgraded to first-team contracts.

They have also lost lots of experience, highlighted by Guillermo May, who has signed with the Melbourne Victory and Louis Verstraete, who is now playing back in Belgium, while Australian defenders Dan Hall and Jake Girdwood-Reich have also moved on, as has All Whites forward Jesse Randall.

Like Leuluai, Van Fitzharris and Isa Prins are on scholarship contracts.

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