Irish media reports say New Zealand international defender Nando Pijnaker has left Sligo Rovers to join new A-League club Auckland FC.
Pijnaker (25) would reportedly return to New Zealand after the two clubs had agreed a transfer fee.
Sligo Rovers manager John Russell said the move was the result of a “gentleman’s agreement” between Rovers and Pijnaker, according to a report in The Irish Sun.
Russell said Rovers had turned down several offers for Pijnaker since he signed his last contract in late 2022.
“There’s been interest in Nando during every transfer window,” Russell said.
“We turned down bids in the past and even last January he was close to leaving but we persuaded him to stay on.
“We had an agreement with Nando that if the right move came, we wouldn’t stand in his way.
“He has an opportunity now to go back to New Zealand.
“The club and I have kept our word in regards to that.”
Pijnaker is in the All Whites squad set to face Mexico and the United States during the September international window.
If his transfer is confirmed, he’ll become the 11th All White to sign for the A-League expansion club.
Pijnaker, who has 19 caps for New Zealand, would join fellow internationals Alex Paulsen, Michael Woud, Callan Elliott, Francis De Vries, Tommy Smith, Joey Champness, Cam Howieson, Jesse Randall, Logan Rogerson and Max Mata.
Mata played in the same Sligo Rovers team as Pijnaker before moving to English club Shrewsbury Town, and then signing for Auckland FC.
Pijnaker played for Ngongotaha, Western Suburbs and Eastern Suburbs in New Zealand before heading overseas in 2019 and building a professional career leading to his regular inclusion in All Whites squads.
This story was first published on September 2, 2024.
More football stories
