Paul Francis (footballer)
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Paul Anthony Francis | ||
| Date of birth | 5 September 2004 | ||
| Place of birth | Solomon Islands | ||
| Position(s) | Left winger | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Nasinu | ||
| Youth career | |||
| East Guadalcanal Frigates | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 20??–2021 | East Guadalcanal Frigates | ||
| 2021 | Henderson Eels | ||
| 2021–2023 | Waneagu United | ||
| 2023–2024 | Henderson Eels | ||
| 2025 | Central Coast | 0 | (0) |
| 2025– | Nasinu | 6 | (4) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2022– | Solomon Islands U20 | 7 | (7) |
| 2022 | Solomon Islands U23 | 1 | (0) |
| 2024 | Solomon Islands "B" | 4 | (1) |
| 2024– | Solomon Islands | 1 | (0) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 22:18, 28 May 2025 (UTC) | |||
Paul Anthony Francis (born 5 September 2004) is a Solomon Islands professional footballer who plays as a left winger for Fiji Premier League club Nasinu and the Solomon Islands national team.
Club career
He began his career at East Guadalcanal Frigates and was playing for the senior team by 2020.[1] He left the club in 2021.
He left Henderson Eels to join Waneagu United in 2021 before he left to join Henderson Eels again in 2023.[2][3] He then joined Real Kakamora in 2024 before leaving in 2025 to sign a one-year contract with Central Coast. This deal was later voided and he joined Fiji Premier League club Nasinu instead.[4]
International career
Francis has represented the Solomon Islands U20 and U23 teams since 2022 during the OFC U-19 Championship and the 2023 OFC Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournament.[5] He also represented the Solomon Islands "B" national team during the 2024 MSG Prime Minister's Cup, scoring the team's only goal at the tournament during a 3–1 loss against Vanuatu.[6]
He was first called up to the Solomon Islands senior team for the 2023 Tri-Nations Series and was included on the bench during a 2–0 victory against Fiji on 20 March 2023.[7][8] As a second-half substitute on 14 November 2024, Francis made his debut for Solomon Islands during a 3–2 loss against New Caledonia during 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification.[9][10]
Career statistics
International
- As of match played 21 December 2024.[2]
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solomon Islands | 2024 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 1 | 0 | |
| Solomon Islands "B" | 2024 | 4 | 1 |
| Total | 5 | 1 | |
- Scores and results list Solomon Islands' goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Francis goal.[2]
| No. | Team | Date | Venue | Cap | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Solomon Islands "B" | 15 December 2024 | Lawson Tama Stadium, Honiara, Solomon Islands | 3 | Vanuatu | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2024 MSG Prime Minister's Cup | [6] |
Honours
East Guadalcanal Frigates
- Guadalcanal Cup
- Champions (1): 2020[1]
Henderson Eels
- Solomon Islands S-League
- Champions (1): 2020–21[1]
Solomon Islands
- Tri-Nations Series
- Champions (1): 2023[11]
References
- ^ a b c Zoleveke II, Peter (10 November 2020). "Frigates soar in G-Cup 2020". The Island Sun. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ a b c "Paul Francis". National Football Teams.
- ^ Saltori, Rafael (3 April 2023). "Henderson Eels announce key additions for the upcoming Telekom S-League season". Oceania Football Center. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ "Paul FRANCIS". Fiji Football. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ Saltori, Rafael (17 July 2024). "Paul Francis shines with Hattrick as Solomon Islands secure third place at OFC U-19 Championship". Oceania Football Center. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ a b "Vanuatu vs. Solomon Islands (B) 2024-12-15". National Football Teams.
- ^ "Solomon Islands national team (Tri-Nations March, 2023)". Oceania Football Center. March 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ "2023 Tri-Nations Series". Fiji Live. 20 March 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ "Solomon Islands vs New Caledonia". Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
- ^ "Solomon Islands vs New Caledonia". Oceania Football Confederation. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
- ^ "Solomons lift tri-nations football series with win over Fiji". RNZ. 27 May 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2025.