Auckland FC have recruited All Whites midfielder Lachlan Bayliss from Newcastle Jets.
The 23-year-old made 62 appearances over three seasons with the Jets, scoring six goals. He was part of the Newcastle Jets side that won both the A-League Premiership and Australia Cup in the 2025-26 season.
Bayliss has four caps for New Zealand since making his debut against Finland in March 2026. He represented New Zealand at the 2024 Paris Olympics and is part of the All Whites squad for the World Cup in North America.
"There's no better time to be a New Zealand footballer and I want to bring that energy to Auckland FC," Bayliss said. "The club has ambition, and the fans are incredible. I've experienced that atmosphere as an opponent, and it's something else."
Auckland FC director of football Terry McFlynn said the club had pursued Bayliss deliberately. "Lachlan is a player we've had our eye on for some time. He's energetic, versatile and has the technical quality to hurt teams going forward. Winning the Premiership and the Cup with Newcastle shows he knows what it takes to win, we're delighted to have him in Auckland."
Bayliss was born in Australia and grew up in Darwin, qualifying for New Zealand through his late father. He made his A-League debut with Central Coast Mariners Academy in the 2022-23 season before moving to Newcastle.