Player Profile

Ryan de VRIES

Date of birth:	14 Sep 1991
Height:	182cm
Weight:	82kg
Position:	Forward
Rep. Honours:	New Zealand international
Previous Clubs:	Waitakere United, Bentleigh Greens
Birth place:	Cape Town, South Africa
Nationality:	New Zealand
Shirt No:	10

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PLAYER PROFILE - Ryan DE VRIES

Ryan De Vries signed for Auckland City FC for the 2013-14 campaign alongside fellow former Waitakere United striker Roy Krishna in what was a sensational double transfer coup for the club.

De Vries had earlier helped guide Waitakere United to a Premiership record four titles in a row but the lure of regular OFC Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup participation proved too difficult to ignore.

"When Roy and I were talking during the winter break we both wondered what it might be like to wear Navy Blue some time and so we both ended up at Kiwitea Street," he said at the time of his signing.

Any doubts De Vries had made a wrong move were dispelled when the club won three consecutive OFC Champions League titles on the bounce to create their own six-in-a-row record.

De Vries didn't make the breakthrough to first pick forward until the club's memorable bronze medal run at the FIFA Club World Cup Morocco 2014 where the Cape Town-born front man opened the scoring with a superb goal.

The former Waitakere United striker who used to plague the Navy Blues with his goals soon turned ASB Premiership golden boot winner in Navy Blue and scooped four awards at the club's annual dinner before moving to FC Gifu in the J League.

De Vries spent two seasons in Japan before moving on to Sligo Rovers in the Republic of Ireland top flight.

One of Kiwitea Street's favourites sons, De Vries confirmed his return to Auckland City FC under new coach Albert Riera in January of 2022.

A New Zealand international who made his debut against the Korea Republic in 2015, De Vries is a firm favourite with club supporters who famously sing, "Give the ball to Ryan!."