Francis de Vries has quietly become one of the most reliable defenders in the A-League.
This article breaks down his net worth, Auckland FC salary, career earnings, and the journey that brought him here.
Francis de Vries’ Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Francis de Vries |
| Date of Birth | November 28, 1994 |
| Age | 31 |
| Nationality | New Zealand (Dutch and Swiss descent) |
| Place of Birth | Christchurch, New Zealand |
| Height | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) |
| Weight | 80 kg |
| Position | Left-Back / Defender |
| Current Club | Auckland FC |
| Shirt Number | 15 |
| Turned Professional | 2017 |
| Contract Expires | June 30, 2029 |
| Net Worth | Estimated $500,000 USD |
| Annual Salary | $200,000+ AUD |
| International Team | New Zealand (All Whites) |
Early Life and Career
Francis de Vries was born on November 28, 1994, in Christchurch, New Zealand, to a family with Dutch and Swiss roots.
He grew up in a country where football sat in the shadow of rugby, yet the sport captured him early. He joined Canterbury United at youth level, where he developed enough to attract serious attention from professional scouts.
His breakthrough moment came when the APFA Academy in Christchurch, which maintained direct ties to Chelsea FC and several European clubs, identified him as a prospect worth developing.
That connection opened a door to Switzerland. In 2012, de Vries signed a six-month contract with FC Basel’s Under-18 squad — a significant step for a teenager from Christchurch.
Basel did not retain him, but the experience sharpened his ambition rather than dampening it. De Vries chose to pursue college soccer in the United States, enrolling at Saint Francis University in Pennsylvania.
Over four years, he made 79 appearances and scored 15 goals for the Red Flash — a productive run that signalled he could compete at the next level.
Alongside his college commitments, he also featured for Michigan Bucks in the Premier Development League, gaining additional competitive exposure during off-seasons.
Professional Career
De Vries entered professional football properly in January 2017, when Vancouver Whitecaps FC selected him in the second round (29th overall) of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft.
He signed with Whitecaps FC 2 in March 2017 and made four USL appearances. Without a pathway to the first team, he returned to New Zealand and signed with Canterbury United for the 2017–18 ISPS Handa Premiership season.
The next move proved decisive. In July 2018, he joined Nyköpings BIS in Sweden’s Division 1 Norra. That stint led to a contract with IFK Värnamo in January 2019, and it was here that de Vries truly found his level.
Over four seasons, he played a central role in back-to-back promotions that took IFK Värnamo from the Swedish third division all the way to Allsvenskan. He also won the Superettan title with them in 2021.
His time in Sweden ended abruptly in July 2022 when he suffered a severe ACL injury. He returned to New Zealand to recover, spending time with Eastern Suburbs before signing with Auckland FC in May 2024 as one of the club’s inaugural players ahead of their A-League debut.
At Auckland, he has excelled. He scored his first A-League goal in a 2–0 win over Newcastle Jets in November 2024 and finished the 2024–25 season by winning the Members’ Player of the Season award and the A-League Men Fan Player of the Year.
In the 2025–26 season, he helped Auckland FC lift the A-League championship — his biggest club honour to date.
On the international stage, de Vries made his debut for the New Zealand All Whites in November 2021.
He scored his first international goal in an 8–0 FIFA World Cup qualifying win over Samoa in November 2024.
Francis de Vries’ Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Francis de Vries’ has an estimated net worth of $500,000 USD.
He built this wealth through professional football contracts across New Zealand, the United States, Sweden, and Australia.
He does not rank among the highest-earning defenders in his league, but his consistent performances and long Auckland FC contract provide financial stability through 2029.
Contract
De Vries joined Auckland FC on July 1, 2024, as one of the club’s founding signings ahead of their inaugural A-League season.
His contract was extended on January 16, 2026, and now runs through June 30, 2029 — a strong show of confidence from the club after two impressive seasons.
Transfermarkt lists his current market value at €600,000, which places him among the more valued defenders in the A-League.
His contract runs for five years in total from the original signing date, giving him security through his early thirties.
Salary
De Vries is among the highest-paid players at Auckland FC, with annual earnings estimated at AUD $200,000 or more per season.
The club’s total wage bill for the 2024–25 season sat at approximately AUD $4.6 million, with de Vries, Hiroki Sakai, Louis Verstraete, and Guillermo May among those commanding the top wages.
His A-League salary represents the highest annual income of his career. During his years in Swedish football — Division 1, Superettan, and Allsvenskan — players at comparable clubs typically earned between €30,000 and €80,000 per year.
His time with Vancouver Whitecaps 2 in USL was similarly modest.
Career Earnings By Year
| Season | Club | League | Est. Annual Salary (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 | USL | ~$30,000 |
| 2017–18 | Canterbury United | NZ Premiership | ~$15,000 |
| 2018 | Nyköpings BIS | Swedish Div. 1 | ~$20,000 |
| 2019 | IFK Värnamo | Swedish Div. 1 Södra | ~$25,000 |
| 2020 | IFK Värnamo | Swedish Div. 1 Södra | ~$30,000 |
| 2021 | IFK Värnamo | Superettan | ~$50,000 |
| 2022 | IFK Värnamo | Allsvenskan | ~$70,000 |
| 2023 | Eastern Suburbs | NZ National League | ~$20,000 |
| 2024–25 | Auckland FC | A-League | ~$130,000 |
| 2025–26 | Auckland FC | A-League | ~$140,000 |
Career Statistics
| Season | Club | Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 | USL | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| 2017–18 | Canterbury United | NZ Premiership | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2018 | Nyköpings BIS | Swedish Div. 1 Norra | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | IFK Värnamo | Swedish Div. 1 Södra | 29 | 2 | 4 |
| 2020 | IFK Värnamo | Swedish Div. 1 Södra | 29 | 2 | 3 |
| 2021 | IFK Värnamo | Superettan | 28 | 1 | 4 |
| 2022 | IFK Värnamo | Allsvenskan | 11 | 0 | 2 |
| 2023 | Eastern Suburbs | NZ National League | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024–25 | Auckland FC | A-League | 28 | 2 | 8 |
| 2025–26 | Auckland FC | A-League | 22 | 1 | 7 |
| Total (Club) | 165 | 11 | 15 |
FAQs
What is Francis de Vries’ net worth?
Francis de Vries has an estimated net worth of $500,000 USD. He earned this through professional contracts in Sweden, New Zealand, the USA, and the A-League. No official figure has been publicly disclosed.
How much does Francis de Vries earn at Auckland FC?
He earns an estimated AUD $200,000 or more per season at Auckland FC, placing him among the club’s highest-paid players alongside Hiroki Sakai and Louis Verstraete.
What clubs has Francis de Vries played for?
He has played for Canterbury United, FC Basel U18, Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2, Nyköpings BIS, IFK Värnamo, Eastern Suburbs, and Auckland FC across New Zealand, USA, Sweden, and Australia.
Has Francis de Vries won any major titles?
Yes. He won the Superettan title with IFK Värnamo in 2021 and the A-League championship with Auckland FC in 2025–26. He also received the A-League Men Player of the Month award twice (December 2024 and December 2025).
Does Francis de Vries play for the New Zealand national team?
Yes. He made his international debut for the All Whites in November 2021 and scored his first international goal in a FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Samoa in November 2024, a match New Zealand won 8–0.
