Player registrations for the inaugural OFC Pro League closed at 5pm NZT on Wednesday, marking a major milestone ahead of the historic first season of Oceania’s new professional club football competition.
Clubs from across the Pacific have now confirmed their squads, showcasing a strong blend of local talent, national team representatives, and internationally experienced players.
The OFC Pro League will bring together eight professional clubs from across the region, providing a new professional pathway and raising the standard of football in Oceania.
Below is an overview of each club’s squad as they prepare for the inaugural campaign.
Auckland FC
Coach: Luke Casserly
Auckland FC enters the OFC Pro League with a squad featuring proven winners and emerging talent, with head coach Luke Casserly having secured several high-profile signings.
Eight-time OFC Men’s Champions League winner Emiliano Tade returns to OFC competition and remains a consistent goal threat. He is supported in attack by New Zealand youth international Kian Donkers. The defensive unit includes New Zealand youth internationals Tass Mourdoukoutas and Zac Zoricich.
Chatham Cup final winner Isa Prins is one of the country’s top young midfield prospects, while Michael Den Heijer and Matt Ellis join the squad following appearances at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ with Auckland City FC.
Bula FC
Coach: Stéphane Auvray
Bula FC’s squad is headlined by one of the competition’s marquee signings in Fiji’s all-time top-scorer Roy Krishna, who returns home from India to make history with his country’s first professional football club.
National team defenders Gabiriele Matanisiga and Sterling Vasconcellos form part of a solid backline, while Thomas Dunn and Nabil Begg are expected to provide creativity in midfield.
Trinidad & Tobago international Kaïlé Auvray adds pace on the wing, and French goalkeeper Didier Desprez strengthens the squad at the back.
The club has also secured three New Zealand age-group internationals in Matthew Foord, Adam Supyk and Fergus Gillion.
PNG Hekari FC
Coach: Marcos Gusmão
PNG Hekari FC bring a distinctive Brazilian influence into the OFC Pro League under head coach Marcos Gusmão. Brazilian trio Erick Joe, Rafael Chaves, and Kaûe Silva add international flair across defence, midfield, and attack.
Veteran striker Raymond Gunemba, Papua New Guinea’s all-time leading international goalscorer, will provide leadership and experience, supported by fellow national team forwards Ati Kepo, Nathaniel Eddie and Rex Naime.
Solomon Kings FC
Coach: Ben Cahn
The Solomon Kings squad features strong links to Australia’s Wynnum Wolves, highlighted by marquee signing Jez Lofthouse, a former Wolves and Brisbane Roar winger with professional experience.
English coach Ben Cahn, who previously worked with Brisbane Roar in the Men’s A-League, has otherwise drawn together a strong homegrown squad that includes Solomon Islands national team stars Phillip Mango, Gordon Iro, and Raphael Lea’i.
South Island United
Coach: Rob Sherman
South Island United’s squad is built around strong regional connections. Former New Zealand Southern League MVP David Yoo is expected to be a key attacking midfielder, alongside Samoan international Dauntae Mariner.
New Zealand international Oskar Van Hattum headlines the attacking options, bringing experience from the A-League, Canada, and Ireland.
Haris Zeb and Christian Gray also join after featuring for Auckland City FC at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™.
South Melbourne FC
Coach: Sinisha Cohadzic
South Melbourne FC enter the OFC Pro League with the same core group of players that led them to the Australian Championship title – including Grand Final MVP Marco Jankovic and former A-League midfielder Sebastian Pasquali.
Teenage defender Luka Coveny is the son of New Zealand legend Vaughan Coveny, whilst Jordan Swibel is another to have previously featured in the A-League, whilst goalkeeper Ilia Shalamanov-Trenkov joins from Spartak Varna in the Bulgarian First Division.
Tahiti United
Coach: Samuel Garcia
Tahiti United are led by Tahiti’s all-time leading goalscorer and appearance holder Teaonui Tehau. Coach Samuel Garcia, who also coaches the Tahitian national team, has selected a squad rich in international experience.
The squad includes national team regulars Jackson Teamotuaitau and Matéo Degrumelle, alongside overseas signings, New Caledonia’s Joseph Athale, Fiji’s Ratu Waranaivalu, and Canadian goalkeeper Jackson Gardner.
Vanuatu United FC
Coach: Lars Hopp
Vanuatu United FC have assembled a competitive squad blending domestic and international experience, with many players having already featured under coach Lars Hopp with the Vanuatu national team.
The attacking trio of Jordy Tasip, Azariah Soromon and Alex Saniel headline the forward line, while Australian goalkeeper Matt Acton brings A-League experience.
He joins American midfielder William Cardona, New Zealand duo Otto Ingham and Owen Smith, and Papua New Guinea international Raymond Diho, as some of the key foreign players within the squad.
