Xuan Loke

Xuan Loke signed his maiden professional contract with the Wellington Phoenix shortly before Christmas 2024, becoming the fourth academy player to graduate to the men’s first team squad in the calendar year.

Originally from Dunedin, Loke played for Green Island and Dunedin Technical (now Dunedin City Royals) before moving to Wellington as a 12-year-old to join the Olé Football Academy.

He switched to the Phoenix academy at the start of 2022 and made his debut for the club’s reserves the following year.

Loke was named the reserves captain for the 2024 season and started 16 of their 18 matches in the Central League, scoring four goals.

He was rewarded with a maiden international call-up and started three of New Zealand’s matches at the 2024 OFC U-19 Championship in Samoa in July, including the 4-0 win over New Caledonia in the final.

Loke made his first team debut off the bench in the round of 32 Australia Cup match against South Melbourne in August 2024.

While continuing to train with the first team Loke made five appearances for the reserves in the National League Championship, starting four matches including the memorable 4-3 win over Auckland City at Kiwitea St.

He signed a two-and-a-half year deal with the Phoenix in December 2024 and was on the bench for a couple of A-League matches in January but didn’t make his debut during the 2024-25 season.

Loke headed to Chile in June to represent the New Zealand U-20 side in two friendlies in preparation for the FIFA U-20 World Cup there in September.

> 2025-26 season

Xuan Loke started all three of New Zealand’s group matches at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile and scored the Junior All Whites’ match-winner against Egypt.

Loke made his A-League debut in the opening round of the 2025-26 season, playing the final 10 minutes of the 2-2 draw at Perth Glory.

He started the Phoenix’s next three matches and featured in a further two games before Christmas.

Loke was included amongst the substitutes in five games over the final two thirds of the season but didn’t make another first team appearance.