Finn McKenlay

Finn McKenlay

Personal information
Full name	Finn McKenlay
Date of birth	(2005-09-04) 4 September 2005 (age 20)
Place of birth	London, England [1]
Position	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Auckland FC
Number	18
Youth career
–2017	East Coast Bays
2018–2019	Onehunga Sports
2020–2021	East Coast Bays
2022–2023	Birkenhead United
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2022–2023	Birkenhead United	12	(2)
2023–2024	Eastern Suburbs	17	(1)
2024–	Auckland FC	2	(0)
2025–	Auckland FC Reserves	11	(3)
International career‡
2023–	New Zealand U20	6	(0)
Medal record Men's football Representing   New Zealand OFC U-19 Championship Winner 2024 Samoa
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 30 May 2025 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 7 June 2025

Finn McKenlay (born 4 September 2005) is a New Zealand professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for A-League club Auckland FC. ^{[2] [3]}

Personal life

McKenaly was born in Wimbledon, London, before moving to New Zealand at the age of 2. ^[4]

Club career

McKenlay played youth football for East Coast Bays and Onehunga Sports before signing with Birkenhead United. ^[5] On 19 June 2022, Mckenlay made his debut as a second-half substitute against Central United in the Chatham Cup. ^{[6] [7]} In 2023, McKenlay signed for Eastern Suburbs for the 2023 New Zealand National League Championship phase. McKenlay also played for New Zealand national under-19 schoolboys football team in 2023. ^[8]

McKenlay signed for Auckland FC on 20 June 2024 for their inaugural season. ^{[9] [5]} On 15 December 2024, McKenlay made his A-League Men and professional debut starting in a 2–2 draw with Melbourne City. ^[10]

International career

On 14 June 2024, McKenlay was named in the New Zealand U20 for the 2024 OFC U-19 Men's Championship. ^[11] He made his debut on 6 July 2024 against New Caledonia.

McKenlay was named as part of the 21-player New Zealand U20 squad for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup that took place in Chile from September to October 2025. ^[12] McKenlay made three appearances in the tournament, with New Zealand exiting after the conclusion of the group stage. ^{[13] [14] [15]}

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 29 July 2025.

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Birkenhead United	2023	National League	12	2	1	0	—		13	2
Eastern Suburbs	2023	National League	4	1	0	0	—		4	1
	2024	National League	13	0	2	1	—		15	1
	Total		17	1	2	1	0	0	19	2
Auckland FC	2024–25	A-League Men	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
	2025–26	A-League Men	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	0
	Total		2	0	1	0	0	0	3	0
Auckland FC Reserves	2025	National League	11	3	0	0	—		11	3
Career total			42	6	4	1	0	0	46	7

Honours

Birkenhead United U19

• National U19 Tournament: 2023 ^[5]

Auckland FC

• A-League Premiership: 2024-25

New Zealand U20

• OFC U-19 Men's Championship: 2024

Individual

• College Sports Footballer of the Year: 2023 ^[5]

References

1. "Finn McKenlay". Auckland FC. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
2. "Six players secure scholarship contracts with Auckland FC". Auckland FC. 19 June 2024.
3. "A-League expansion club Auckland FC reveal six more signings". friendsoffootballnz.com. 22 June 2024. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
4. Ross, Jonno (16 October 2024). "Auckland FC young gun talks club football, recent International experience for New Zealand, and his footballing journey so far". Auckland FC. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
5. "The future of Auckland FC — the young players signed on scholarship contracts". friendsoffootballnz.com. 25 June 2024. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
6. "Sundays Chatham Cup Man of the Match!". Birkehead United AFC. 20 June 2022. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
7. "Birkenhead United v Central United". New Zealand Football . Retrieved 29 December 2024.
8. "Two squads chosen to represent NZ Secondary Schools on April overseas tour". friendsoffootballnz.com. 6 February 2023. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
9. "Auckland sign six 'rising stars' as A-Leagues' newest club puts faith in homegrown talent". A-Leagues. 20 June 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
10. "Football as it happened: Auckland FC v Melbourne City". Radio New Zealand . 15 December 2024. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
11. "Chris Greenacre Announces First Squad As New Zealand U-20 Head Coach For OFC Men's U19 Championship". New Zealand Football . 14 June 2024. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
12. "Squad Named for September's FIFA U-20 World Cup 2025". New Zealand Football. 12 September 2025. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
13. "Match Centre – Chile vs New Zealand". FIFA . Retrieved 17 October 2025.
14. "Match Centre – Egypt vs New Zealand". FIFA . Retrieved 17 October 2025.
15. "Match Centre – New Zealand vs Japan". FIFA . Retrieved 17 October 2025.

External links

• Finn McKenlay at Soccerway