Despite being only 27, Auckland FC are Champness’ seventh club as a professional, across stints playing in Australia and Turkey before returning home to New Zealand.
In 2019, while contracted to the Newcastle Jets Champness initially gave football away to concentrate on a music career in Los Angeles.
However, despite saying he would return to Newcastle if he was to start playing football again, Champness instead signed for the Brisbane Roar on a loan deal.
Champness later left Australia for Europe and signed for Turkish Super Lig side Giresunspor on a three-year deal.
That stint, though, lasted just 13 games before Champness terminated his contract due to unpaid wages. He was later awarded $1.33 million after Fifa, the game’s governing body, ruled in his favour after a dispute resolution claim.
At international level, Champness represented Australia as a youth, and accrued 10 appearances across under-20 and under-23 level, before switching allegiance to New Zealand in 2021.
Champness’ exit could see Auckland FC head into the upcoming January transfer market, given the club have also been hit by injuries to defender Dan Hall and midfielder Cameron Howieson.
Speaking last week, head coach Steve Corica said the club will only enter the market for the right player, given A-League rules will only allow the signing of an Australian or New Zealand player, with all overseas spots currently filled.
“We want, obviously, to make sure it’s the right move if we’re going to do it,” he said.
“We’re always looking for players for next season as well, the recruitment doesn’t happen in one day, it takes time to make sure we get the right players. I think we’ve got a lot of players right this time round.”
Despite Auckland FC’s first loss coming through a 4-0 defeat to Western United last weekend, Corica’s side are still one point clear at the top of the table.
Alex Powell is an Online Sports Editor for the NZ Herald. He has been a sports journalist since 2016, and previously worked for both Newshub and 1News.
