Source: Radio New Zealand
Jimmy Hilton has been plucked from the NSW national premier league side the Marconi Stallions. supplied
Auckland FC have signed British-born and Australian-raised rookie Sydney goalkeeper Jimmy Hilton until the end of the season.
The 23-year-old has impressed for Sydney club Marconi Stallions in the NSW National Premier League.
A call-up for the A-League has come as a complete shock for Hilton, with the competition representing a significant step up.
“If you told me last week, ‘Jimmy, come Saturday, you’ll be in New Zealand playing football for Auckland FC’, I wouldn’t have believed you, but here we are,” he said.
“Now the shock has worn off, I’ll be getting my head down, focusing on training, performing at my very best and seizing any opportunities the come my way.
“I’m 23, I want to make the most of my career and Auckland FC is a great place to do that.”
Auckland FC director of football Terry McFlynn said Hilton, who was born in Manchester, was an excellent addition to the squad.
He was awarded the National Premier League NSW 2025 Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year award.
“He has a good attitude, brings some great experience,” said McFlynn.
“With a couple of players injured and others doing the business in the OFC Pro League, signing Hilton was a no-brainer for us.
“We had a great chat on Monday, he has a good attitude, brings some great experience and will be an excellent addition to the squad. He also never missed a game though injury and we could probably do with some of that luck right now.”
Auckland second-string keeper Oli Sail will miss the remainder of the season, the club has confirmed.
He injured his patellar tendon during last week’s away game against Perth Glory and had to be stretchered off the field during the 2-1 loss.
Joseph Knowles is slowly working his way back to full fitness following surgery for a hip issue, Oscar Mason and Blake Callinan are away in Papua New Guinea, and Eli Jones is out with glandular fever, leaving coach Steve Corica with Michael Woud as the only fit keeper in the side.
Hilton, who also holds a double major degree in molecular genetics and disease, has plans to become a doctor after football.
He was invited to train with Auckland last Monday, after Sail’s injury blow.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/06/football-auckland-fc-turn-to-sydney-youngster-jimmy-hilton-to-shore-up-goalkeeping-reserves/