Auckland FC have signed former Plymouth and Aberdeen striker Sam Cosgrove for the Isuzu UTE A-League 2025-26 season.
In a “statement of intent” from the reigning Premiers, Cosgrove arrives from League outfit Barnsley in England.
The 28-year-old Englishman – who won League One with Plymouth in 2023 – scored seven goals and supplied six assists in 60 appearances for Barnsley.
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Cosgrove adds more firepower to the Black Knights following their history-making inaugural season, having scored 70 goals and tallied 20 assists across 297 professional matches for Aberdeen, Plymouth, Shrewsbury Town and Birmingham City.
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He enjoyed a prolific spell with Aberdeen in Scotland, where Cosgrove netted 47 goals in 103 appearances, including eight in UEFA Europa League qualifying and 17 during the 2018-19 campaign – making him the Scottish Premiership’s second-highest scorer only behind Rangers’ Alfredo Morelos (18).
“I’ve had a couple of training sessions now and spent sometime with the team. The culture and togetherness are outstanding,” said Cosgrove. “Being from overseas, I’m still adjusting, but everyone has been so supportive and friendly.
“I spent a lot of time researching the club before I made the move, and the more I heard, the more I wanted to join.
“What the club has achieved, the way the city has got behind the team, I was eager to be apart of it.”
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Steve Corica’s Auckland are looking to go further in 2025-26 after becoming the first New Zealand side to win Isuzu UTE A-League silverware via the Premiership before falling agonisingly short of a Grand Final berth.
Cosgrove joins Scott Morris, Lachlan Brook and Oli Sail as Auckland’s new signings heading into the upcoming campaign.
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“Sam is going to be a great acquisition and will provide firepower to the front line. He’s a proven goal-scorer and we’re pleased to have secured his signature,” said Auckland FC head coach Corica.
“He is a big, physical striker who I think will be well-suited to the league. He’s also got a great deal of experience. We’re looking forward to having him as part of the group.”
Corica added: “We’re an ambitious group keen to improve on last year’s performance, so right now, we’re focused on building a squad to do that.
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“That requires depth in every position and a team that fights for the right to play each week.”
