Marlee Francois

Marlee Francois
Personal information
Full name Marlee Jean Francois
Date of birth (2002-12-29) 29 December 2002 (age 21)
Place of birth Sydney, Australia
Height 1.81 m (5 ft 11+1⁄2 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
Camden Tigers
2013–2019 Fulham
2019–2021 Bristol City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021–2024 Bristol City 0 (0)
2021 → Bath City (loan) 4 (0)
International career‡
2021–2023 Australia U23 6 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:30 2 July 2023 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 12:30 10 March 2024 (UTC)

Marlee Francois (born 29 December 2002) is an Australian professional footballer who last played as a midfielder for EFL Championship club Bristol City.

Early life

Francois was born and raised in Campbelltown, New South Wales, to a Mauritian father and an English mother.[1] His family moved to England in 2013 after he and his brother, Tyrese Francois, signed for Fulham Academy. Francois left Fulham in February 2019 to join Bristol City.[2][3]

Club career

Bristol City

Francois signed a professional contract with Bristol City in March 2021.[4] On 20 July 2021, Francois scored against Bristol City in a friendly match for Portsmouth after he was granted permission to feature for the opposition due to the low numbers in Portsmouth's match squad. It was dubbed the "Shortest loan in history."[5] The next month Francois joined Bath City F.C. on a short-term loan.[6]

Francois signed a two-year contract extension with the option of a further year with Bristol City in August 2022.[7] After 14-months sidelined with injury, Francois made his first-team debut, appearing as a substitute, in a FA Cup tie against West Brom on 28 January 2023.[8] He was released by Bristol City at the end of the 2023–24 season.[9]

International career

Francois is eligible to represent England, Australia or Mauritius.[10] He made his debut for the Australian under-23 team as a substitute on 2 June 2021 against Ireland under-21s.[11] He scored his only goal for Australia U-23s in June 2023 against Mexico U-23s.[12]

Career statistics

As of match played 28 February 2023
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup EFL Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Bristol City 2021–22[13] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
2022–23[14] Championship 0 0 2 0 0 0 — 2 0
Total 0 0 2 0 0 0 — 2 0
Bath City (loan) 2021–22[15] National League South 4 0 0 0 — 0 0 4 0
Career total 4 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 6 0

References

  1. ^ Lewis, Dave (10 March 2021). "Brotherly shove: Aussie siblings Tyrese, Marlee battling for Olympic call-ups". SBS Sport. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  2. ^ Davidson, John (12 February 2019). "Meet the Aussie teen brothers wanted by European clubs". SBS Sport. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  3. ^ Thomas, Josh (5 March 2021). "Tyrese and Marlee Francois: The Australian brothers making waves in England | Sporting News Australia". Sporting News. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  4. ^ "Francois signs new deal". BCFC.co.uk.
  5. ^ "'Shortest loan in history?' - Aussie youngster Marlee Francois scores bizarre equaliser after pre-game club swap". Sporting News.
  6. ^ "FRANCOIS COMPLETES LOAN MOVE TO TWERTON PARK". BCFC.co.uk.
  7. ^ "Bristol City youngster eyes first-team breakthrough after penning two-year contract extension". Bristol Post.
  8. ^ Lewis, Dave (3 March 2023). "'It was unreal': Aussie kid's taste of high life against Manchester City". FTBL. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  9. ^ Cork, Tristan (11 May 2024). "Bristol City release midfielder Matty James as retained list published". Bristol Post. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  10. ^ "Brotherly shove: Aussie siblings Tyrese, Marlee battling for Olympic call-ups". sbs.com.au.
  11. ^ "OLYROOS PLAYER RATINGS VS REPUBLIC OF IRELAND U/21". ftbl.com.au.
  12. ^ Lynch, Joey (13 June 2023). "Australia shock Mexico to seal Maurice Revello Tournament semifinal berth". espn. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
  13. ^ "Games played by Marlee Francois in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  14. ^ "Games played by Marlee Francois in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  15. ^ "M. Francois: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 28 January 2023.


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