Erceg signs for Auckland FC vs Chelsea
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
Former Football Fern Abby Erceg is the first player to join the Auckland FC Women's Invitational XI for the game against Chelsea in Auckland on 8 August.
A four-time Olympian, Erceg also played at four women's World Cups after making her debut for the national team as a teenager.
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With 146 appearances for the Football Ferns, 49 as captain, she is the second most-capped player in Football Ferns history behind Ria Percival.
Erceg retired from international football in 2023, but continued to play club football and most recently played in Mexico with Toluca FC (W) in the LIGA MX Femenil.
"I've had such a long and fruitful career in the women's game and I'm so excited to be able to inspire the next generation of female footballers in this country," said Erceg..
"Bringing a team together and playing against one of the best women's sides on the globe... it's a chance to show young girls in this country that the dream of playing professional football is very real and achievable, for me that's the whole point."
Coach Jenny Bindon said Erceg had helped "shape women's football in New Zealand through the way she has played, led and represented our country".
"To have a player of Abby's calibre and character step onto the field at Eden Park against a club like Chelsea is something really special. She represents what is possible for the next generation, and I know her leadership, experience and presence will mean so much to this group and to the young girls watching from the stands."
A-League club Auckland FC does not have a women's team so will be assembling players from different clubs to play the eight-time WSL champions, Chelsea FC Women.
It will be the first time a Women's Super League club has played in New Zealand.
