Annalie Longo

#16 ANNALIE LONGO – DOB 1/7/91

Decorated Football Ferns midfielder Annalie Longo was the women’s final outfield signing for the 2023-24 A-League.

The 133-cap Fern penned a one-year deal with the Nix in September, 12 months on from suffering a serious knee injury which forced her to miss the entirety of the 2022-23 season.

Longo, 32, fought back to make the final 23-strong New Zealand squad for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and featured in two of the Ferns’ group matches.

It was her fifth senior World Cup. She has also represented NZ at three U-20 World Cups and was a key member of the Young Football Ferns squad at the inaugural 2008 FIFA U-17 World Cup hosted by New Zealand.

She made her debut for the Football Ferns as a 15-year-old in 2006 and has also represented New Zealand at three Olympic Games.

Longo played her junior football for Three Kings United (now Auckland United) and won her first national league title with Auckland in 2007.

She went on to win six national titles in eight years with the Canterbury United Pride, including a three peat in 2020.

The attacking midfielder also boasts championship-winning experience in Australia, having won W-League titles with Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory.

> 2022-23 season

Annalie Longo didn’t get the chance to play for the Wellington Phoenix last season after rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament against Mexico in September 2022.

Longo penned a new one-year contract with the Phoenix 12 months later after fighting back to make the Football Ferns squad for the 2023 FIFA Women’s Cup. She can’t wait to realise a childhood dream.

“As a little girl growing up I always wanted to play professional football in New Zealand,” Longo said.

“To have signed last year and then unfortunately the circumstances with the knee meant I couldn’t be part of the squad, there was that little piece of unfinished business in terms of being able to play for the Phoenix.

“I was a mad supporter last season. I was almost at every game doing the commentating or supporting the team and now to finally be signed, to be here and be part of the group is special.”