Francis de Vries

Francis de Vries (born 28 November 1994) is a New Zealand professional footballer who plays for Allsvenskan club IFK Värnamo.

Francis de Vries
Personal information
Date of birth (1994-11-28) 28 November 1994
Place of birth Christchurch, New Zealand
Height 1.81 m (5 ft 11+1⁄2 in)
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 IFK Värnamo
Number 2
Youth career
0000–2011 Canterbury United
2012 FC Basel
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2013–2016 Saint Francis Red Flash 79 (15)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2012 Canterbury United 1 (0)
2014–2016 Michigan Bucks 32 (2)
2017 Whitecaps FC 2 20 (0)
2017–2018 Canterbury United 15 (1)
2018 Nyköpings BIS 11 (0)
2019– IFK Värnamo 97 (5)
International career
2021– New Zealand 5 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 2 October 2022

Club career

De Vries was initially scouted to attend the APFA Academy in Christchurch, New Zealand under the guidance of professional coaches Giovani Fernandes and Jess Ibrom. The academy had a direct relationship with Chelsea FC as well as a number of professional clubs around the World including FC Basel in Switzerland. De Vries signed with local side Canterbury United, before getting the opportunity to sign a 6-month contract with FC Basel in 2012.[1] Following his release by Basel, de Vries opted to move to the United States to play college soccer at Saint Francis University, where he played for four years and made 79 appearances, scoring 15 goals.[2]

While at college, de Vries played with Premier Development League side Michigan Bucks.[3]

On 13 January 2017, de Vries was selected in the second round (29th overall) of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft by Vancouver Whitecaps FC.[4] He signed to Whitecaps FC 2 on 16 March 2017.[5]

On 24 November 2017, de Vries signed with ISPS Handa Premiership side Canterbury United FC. [6]

On 21 July 2018, de Vries signed with Nyköpings BIS in the Division 1 Norra.[7]

In January 2019, de Vries joined Division 1 Södra side IFK Värnamo.[8]

International career

Born in New Zealand, de Vries is of Dutch and Swiss descent.[9] On 16 November 2021, de Vries made his international debut for New Zealand as a 95th minute substitute in a friendly match against The Gambia.[10]

Honours

IFK Värnamo[11]

References
  1. "Michigan Bucks' Francis de Vries". Uslpdl.com. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  2. "Saint Francis University Red Flash Athletics - Francis de Vries - 2016". Sfuathletics.com. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  3. "Francis De Vries". Uslpdl.com. 13 January 2017. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  4. "Whitecaps FC select Francis de Vries in the second round of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft | Vancouver Whitecaps FC". Whitecapsfc.com. 28 November 1994. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  5. "Whitecaps FC sign centre back Francis de Vries to WFC2 roster | Vancouver Whitecaps FC". Whitecapsfc.com. 17 March 2017. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  6. "Canterbury United sign promising defender Francis de Vries as pro football career stalls". stuff.co.nz. 24 November 2017. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  7. "Francis de Vries klar för Nyköping". svenskalag.se. 21 July 2018. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  8. "'Is it real?': Francis de Vries helps tiny Swedish club reach top-flight status". Stuff. 13 November 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  9. Cranford, Aaron (2 August 2016). "Michigan Bucks' Francis de Vries". USL League Two.
  10. "Three wins in a row for the All Whites after 2-0 victory over The Gambia". NZ Football. 17 November 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  11. Francis de Vries at Soccerway
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