Bula FC have strengthened their squad ahead of the 2027 OFC Professional League season with the signing of New Zealand goalkeeper Jack de Groot, who arrives from Eastern Suburbs determined to help the Fijian club challenge for the championship.
The 22-year-old shot-stopper, who stands 1.91 metres tall, becomes the latest addition to Stéphane Auvray’s squad as the Bula Warriors continue preparing for their second campaign in Oceania’s professional competition.
De Groot brings experience from football in both England and New Zealand, having developed through the youth ranks of St Albans City before establishing himself in the New Zealand domestic game with Miramar Rangers and Eastern Suburbs.
The opportunity to join Bula FC represents an important milestone for the goalkeeper, who has spent much of his life working towards a professional football career.
“I’m very excited and honoured to be part of this group. Professional football is something I’ve worked towards for my whole life, and it feels so right it being on this side of the world,” de Groot said following the announcement.
Born in New Zealand, de Groot began playing football at the age of six with Harvesters Youth Teams in Hertfordshire, England. He later represented St Albans at regional level before joining St Albans City U-18, where he helped the team win the Eastern Junior Alliance competition.
His development also included opportunities to train and participate in pre-season fixtures with St Albans City’s senior team, which competed in England’s National League South.
At 17, de Groot returned to New Zealand and joined Miramar Rangers, spending four seasons with the Wellington-based club.
During that period, he established himself as a promising goalkeeper, receiving several individual awards. He was nominated for Young Player of the Year at the Capital Football Awards and collected Under-20, Under-21 and Under-23 Player of the Year honours, alongside three Goalkeeper of the Year awards.
His performances eventually earned him a move to Eastern Suburbs in Auckland, where he played an important role during the 2026 Northern League campaign.
Eastern Suburbs finished second in the competition and qualified for the National League, with their defensive performances becoming one of the team’s strongest features.
The club’s ability to keep clean sheets was particularly satisfying for de Groot, who considers defensive organisation and communication essential parts of his game.
His arrival at Bula FC adds another goalkeeper comfortable participating in possession, an attribute that could suit Auvray’s approach to building attacks from the back.
“I would describe myself as a ball-playing goalkeeper who loves the ball at my feet and making big saves. I’m a very vocal goalkeeper and would see myself as a leader from the back,” he explained.
De Groot also revealed that detailed preparation is an important part of his routine, frequently studying opposition players and teams before matches.
“I spend a lot of time on my own watching opponents before we play, so in my head I feel like I’ve seen all scenarios before they’ve happened, which definitely calms my mind.”
Although he has spent most of his football career in England and New Zealand, the move will provide his first experience of living in the Pacific Islands.
The goalkeeper acknowledged that adapting to a new environment would present challenges, but welcomed the opportunity to experience Fijian culture and compete against different playing styles.
“I’ve never been to the islands, so definitely out of my comfort zone, but I’m really excited to experience the culture. I can imagine the football would be more physical, but it’s something I will not shy away from.”
His decision to join Bula FC was also influenced by the club’s performances during the inaugural OFC Professional League season.
The Fijian representatives finished third in the regular-season standings before progressing to the Top Four playoffs, establishing themselves among the competition’s leading teams.
De Groot followed their campaign and was encouraged by the atmosphere within the squad, particularly after speaking with players about their experiences at the club.
“After watching the first season, the group looked very tight, and after speaking with some players, they couldn’t say a bad word about Bula. It felt like the right opportunity to push on with my football and test myself with the best players on this side of the world.”
The New Zealander joins a squad that has already confirmed several players for the 2027 season, including Kaïlé Auvray, Thomas Dunn, Ryan Naresh and Semi Nabenu, while defender Michael Boffey has also arrived from Australian football.
Bula FC’s recruitment reflects their intention to build on their inaugural campaign by combining experienced Fiji internationals with players from across Oceania.
For de Groot, working alongside international footballers represents an opportunity to develop his abilities while contributing to the club’s ambitions.
“Being around experienced international players will be awesome to learn from and will definitely improve me as a player and as a person,” he said.
His personal objectives extend beyond establishing himself as Bula’s first-choice goalkeeper. The 22-year-old wants to help the team achieve the best defensive record in the competition and compete for the championship.
“I want to come in and win the whole competition. We have the group to do that, so why not!”
With preparations for the 2027 OFC Professional League underway, de Groot’s arrival provides Bula FC with another option in goal and gives the young New Zealander the professional opportunity he has been working towards throughout his football career.
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