Aaron Cartwright (born 5 July 2008) is a New Zealand professional footballer who plays as a forward for A-League Men club Auckland FC.
Club career
Melbourne City Cartwright joined the Melbourne City Youth from Oakleigh Cannons in 2021. He played in the National Premier Leagues Victoria for Melbourne City, making 15 appearances and scoring four goals during the 2025 season.
On 30 July 2025, Cartwright made his professional debut for Melbourne City, coming off the bench in a 2–0 defeat to APIA Leichhardt in the Australia Cup Round of 32 at Leichhardt Oval. During the 2025–26 season, Cartwright was also named on the bench for Melbourne City in their AFC Champions League Elite clash against Sanfrecce Hiroshima but did not make an appearance.
In the 2026 NPL Victoria season, Cartwright made 13 appearances and scored one goal before departing.
Auckland FC On 23 July 2026, Cartwright signed for fellow A-League Men side Auckland FC, signing a scholarship contract with the club ahead of the 2026–27 season.
International career Cartwright was initially selected for the Australia under-17 soccer team, making appearances for the Joeys before switching his international allegiance to New Zealand, for whom he was eligible through his father.
In 2024, he was named in New Zealand's squad for the 2024 OFC U-16 Men's Championship in Tahiti. He played a key role in New Zealand winning a record ninth title and qualifying for the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup, finishing as the tournament's leading goalscorer with seven goals. Cartwright was awarded both the Golden Boot as the tournament's top scorer and the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player.
Cartwright represented New Zealand at the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar. In New Zealand's final group match at the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup, Cartwright assisted William Britton for the equalising goal in the 82nd minute against Austria. However, Austria would go on to win 4–1, eliminating New Zealand from the tournament.
On 21 August 2026, Cartwright was named in the New Zealand U-19 men’s squad for the 2026 OFC U-19 Championship.
Career statistics
Club
ClubSeasonLeagueCupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsMelbourne City Youth2025NPL Victoria154—001542026NPL Victoria131—00131Melbourne City2025–26A-League Men00100010Total001000295Auckland FC2026–27A-League Men00—0000Career total2851000295
Honours
New Zealand U16 OFC U-16 Men's Championship: 2024
Individual OFC U-16 Men's Championship Golden Ball: 2024 OFC U-16 Men's Championship Golden Boot: 2024 (7 goals)
References