Emiliano Tade
FullnameEmiliano Tade[1]
Birth date3 March 1988 (age 38)[2]
Birth placeSantiago del Estero, Argentina
Height1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)[3]
PositionForward
CurrentclubAuckland FC (OFC)
Clubnumber20
Youthclubs 1Club Atlético Mitre
Years 1–2009
Years 22010
Years 32010–2011
Years 42011–2018
Years 52012–2017
Years 62015
Years 72018–2019
Years 82019
Years 92020–2023
Years 102024
Years 112025
Years 122026–
Clubs 1Club Atlético Mitre
Clubs 2Wellington United
Clubs 3Team Wellington
Clubs 4Auckland City
Clubs 5Central United
Clubs 6→ Club Atlético Mitre (loan)
Clubs 7AmaZulu
Clubs 8Mamelodi Sundowns
Clubs 9Auckland City
Clubs 10Western Springs
Clubs 11Auckland United
Clubs 12Auckland FC (OFC)
Caps 10
Caps 316
Caps 497
Caps 614
Caps 717
Caps 88
Caps 949
Caps 1022
Caps 1119
Caps 122
Goals 10
Goals 36
Goals 473
Goals 562
Goals 63
Goals 75
Goals 81
Goals 927
Goals 1015
Goals 1114
Goals 121
Club-update27 September 2025

Emiliano Tade (born March 3, 1988) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for Auckland FC (OFC) in the OFC Professional League.[4]

Tade holds the record for number of consecutive participations in the FIFA Club World Cup, appearing for Auckland City at seven consecutive FIFA Club World Cup tournaments from 2011 to 2017.[5] He is currently the all-time leading goal scorer for Auckland City, as well as the all-time leading goal scorer in New Zealand Football Championship history; his exploits earned him a professional move to South Africa, eventually signing for league champions Mamelodi Sundowns in 2019.[6]

Career

Early career

Born in Santiago del Estero, Tade grew up playing for boyhood side Club Atlético Mitre. Instead of pursuing a career in football, Tade was studying to become a lawyer before moving to New Zealand in April 2010. After Martín Pereyra, a fellow Argentine playing in New Zealand, suggested he trial for local semi-pro side Wellington United, Tade began a club football career.[7][8]

Tade's performances in the Central Premier League impressed Team Wellington head coach Stu Jacobs, and Tade signed for the ASB Premiership club prior to the 2010–11 season, scoring six goals in 16 appearances in his debut season in the New Zealand top flight.[9]

Auckland City

The next season, Tade sealed a move to Auckland City, joining a Hispanic contingent that included Andreu Guerao, Manel Expósito, Albert Riera, Ángel Berlanga and Luis Corrales.[10]

Tade won the golden boot in both the 2013–14 ASB Premiership and 2013–14 OFC Champions League. He also won his first league championship that season, scoring the only goal in the final as Auckland City beat former club Team Wellington on 16 March 2014.

Due to Auckland City's dominance in the OFC Champions League, winning the competition for seven straight seasons, Tade appeared at a record seven consecutive FIFA Club World Cup competitions between 2011 and 2017. This included Auckland City's historic run in the 2014 FIFA Club World Cup, falling to Argentine giants San Lorenzo in the semifinal, before defeating Cruz Azul in the third-place playoff. His performances in the tournament earned him a move to Torneo Federal A side Club Atlético Mitre ahead of the 2015 season; however, he lasted less than a season before returning to Auckland.[11][12]

South Africa

AmaZulu

On 26 May 2018, Tade confirmed that he had completed a move to Absa Premiership club AmaZulu FC following a successful trial.[13][14] Tade made his debut for Usuthu in a 1−0 win over Baroka FC on 4 August 2018. He quickly began to impress during his time in South Africa, forming a strong partnership with Bongi Ntuli and becoming widely regarded as one of the most dangerous forwards in the league.[15][16] After a productive first half of the season where Tade scored seven goals in all competitions and won Player of the Month honours for November and December, he drew interest from the league's larger clubs.[17]

Mamelodi Sundowns

On 31 January 2019, reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns announced the signing of Emiliano Tade for an undisclosed fee - believed to be around 6 million rand - which also included the permanent transfer of Bongi Ntuli, previously on loan to AmaZulu, in the other direction.[18][19][20] Mamelodi went on to win the title that season, with Tade contributing two goals in 12 appearances for Sundowns.

His next season in South Africa was plagued by injury and personal issues; Tade failed to make an appearance for Sundowns, and eventually requested a release from his contract, citing constant injury struggles, homesickness and a wish to cease playing professionally.[21] Tade agreed a mutual termination of contract, and he was officially released on 11 December 2019, returning to his family in New Zealand.[22][23]

Return to Auckland City

On 13 January 2020, Auckland City confirmed that Tade had returned to the club alongside Tom Doyle.[24]

Auckland United

On 6 March 2025, Auckland United announced the signing of Tade for the 2025 season.[25]

Auckland FC

On 11 December 2025, Tade joined Auckland FC (OFC) as one of the first five signings for the OFC Pro League.[26]

Career statistics

Club

[27]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Team Wellington2010–11Premiership166———166
Auckland City2011–12Premiership108—3[a]22[b]01510
2012–13166—3[a]12[c]0217
2013–141417—7[a]65[d]12624
2014–1574—2[e]42[f]1109
2015–16157—4[a]02[g]0217
2016–171713—6[a]31[h]02416
2017–181818—6[a]81[h]02526
Total977300312415214299
Mitre (loan)2015Torneo Federal A14300—00143
AmaZulu2018–19SA Premier Division17511—2[i]1207
Mamelodi Sundowns2018–19SA Premier Division81004[j]100122
Auckland City2019–20Premiership64—3[a]20096
2020–2142—000042
2021National League7800——78
20222517635[a]21[h]03722
2023144002[a]31[h]0177
Total563563107207445
Western Springs2024National League221534——2519
Auckland United2025National League191446——2320
Auckland FC (OFC)2026——00—00
Career total24915214144532193326201
  1. ^ Appearances in OFC Champions League
  2. ^ One appearance in FIFA Club World Cup; one appearance in Charity Cup
  3. ^ One appearance in FIFA Club World Cup; one appearance in Charity Cup
  4. ^ Four appearances in FIFA Club World Cup; one appearance, one goal in Charity Cup
  5. ^ Appearances in OFC President's Cup
  6. ^ One appearance in FIFA Club World Cup; one appearance, one goal in Charity Cup
  7. ^ One ppearance in FIFA Club World Cup; one appearance in Charity Cup
  8. ^ Appearances in FIFA Club World Cup
  9. ^ Appearances in Carling Knockout Cup
  10. ^ Appearances in CAF Champions League

Honours

Auckland City

Central United

Individual

References

  1. ^ "FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2011 presented by Toyota: List of Players". FIFA. 11 December 2011. p. 2. Archived from the original on 19 January 2012.
  2. ^ "FIFA Club World Cup Morocco 2013: List of Players". FIFA. 11 December 2013. p. 3. Archived from the original on 11 December 2013.
  3. ^ "Emiliano Tade". Auckland City FC. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  4. ^ "Auckland City Football Club: Playing Squad". Archived from the original on 2014-08-12. Retrieved 2014-05-10.
  5. ^ "FIFA Tournaments - Players & Coaches - Emiliano TADE". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on January 12, 2012. Retrieved 2018-06-05.
  6. ^ "Auckland City survive tough away trip to stay unbeaten in national football league". Stuff. Retrieved 2020-04-30.
  7. ^ Lamas, Federico (11 January 2012). "Emiliano Tade: "El Auckland City es el Boca de Nueva Zelanda"" (in Spanish). El Grafico.
  8. ^ "Soccer: City's Emiliano Tade dares to dream". The New Zealand Herald. December 1, 2011.
  9. ^ "Soccer: City's Emiliano Tade dares to dream". November 30, 2011. – via www.nzherald.co.nz.
  10. ^ "Waikato FC hope for deliverance". Stuff
  11. ^ "Auckland City FC striker Emiliano Tade signs with Club Atletico de Mitre". boxscorenews.com
  12. ^ "Auckland City lose 'potwasher' Emiliano Tade to pro team". Stuff
  13. ^ "Tade seals move to South Africa with AmaZulu". Auckland City FC. Archived from the original on 18 March 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  14. ^ "Tade looking to impress for AmaZulu". August 2, 2018.[dead link]
  15. ^ "AmaZulu's little Argentine Emiliano Tade is blowing up Mzansi football". TimesLIVE
  16. ^ "Emiliano Tade says he enjoys playing for AmaZulu". Soccer Laduma. November 11, 2018.
  17. ^ "AmaZulu's Cavin Johnson and midfielder Emiliano Tade voted simply the best". TimesLIVE
  18. ^ "Emiliano Tade release cost Mamelodi Sundowns approximately R15-million financial loss". Kick Off. December 13, 2019.
  19. ^ "OFFICIAL: Sundowns sign AmaZulu striker Emiliano Tade | Goal.com". www.goal.com
  20. ^ "Sundowns finally seal Tade deal with AmaZulu". DispatchLIVE
  21. ^ "Nothing 'bad' lead to Sundowns exit, says Tade". www.iol.co.za
  22. ^ "Emiliano Tade: Argentine striker leaves Mamelodi Sundowns". uk.sports.yahoo.com
  23. ^ "Striker Emiliano Tade released by Sundowns". Sport. December 11, 2019.
  24. ^ "Emiliano Tade rejoins Auckland City FC". Auckland City FC. Archived from the original on 22 January 2020. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  25. ^ "✍ We are absolutely delighted to announce the signing of Emiliano Tade!". Auckland United FC. 6 March 2025. Retrieved 6 March 2025. – via Instagram.
  26. ^ "Auckland FC announce first five OFC Pro League players". Auckland FC. Retrieved 11 December 2025.
  27. ^
  28. ^ "With only one match left in the Dettol Southern League this weekend, here are the top scorers from each region ⚽️". New Zealand Football. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
  1. ^ Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2019–20 season was concluded after 16 rounds. The remaining two rounds of the regular season and the finals series were cancelled. Auckland City, who were leading the regular season table, were declared champions and also awarded the Minor Premiership.[29][30]