Lukas Eric Kelly-Heald (born 18 March 2005) is a New Zealand professional footballer who plays as a centre-back or left-back for Wellington Phoenix and the New Zealand national team.
His twin brother Alby Kelly-Heald, a goalkeeper, played for the same youth clubs and the Phoenix academy. In January 2025, they became the third pair of twins to play together in the A-League Men, and the first for the Phoenix.
Early career Kelly-Heald attended St Patrick's College, Wellington where he played for the first XI.
Club career
In July 2023, the Wellington Phoenix signed Kelly-Heald to a four-year professional contract. He made his club debut on 4 August 2023 against Peninsula Power FC in the Australia Cup.
Kelly-Heald made his A-League Men debut for the Phoenix on the opening matchday of the 2023–24 season in a 0–0 draw away to . He made his 50th league appearance for the Phoenix in a 3–0 win away to the on 3 January 2026.
International career New Zealand U-20 Kelly-Heald was named as part of the 23-player New Zealand U-19 squad for the 2022 OFC U-19 Championship. New Zealand would go on to win the tournament by defeating Fiji 3–0 in the final on 24 September 2022. Kelly-Heald made four appearances in the tournament, including the semifinal and final.
Kelly-Heald was named as part of the 21-player New Zealand U-20 squad for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup that took place in Chile from September to October 2025. Kelly-Heald made three appearances in the tournament, with New Zealand exiting after the conclusion of the group stage.
New Zealand Kelly-Heald formed part of the New Zealand squad for the 2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup. He made his debut on 18 June 2024 in a group stage match against the Solomon Islands in a 3–0 win, coming on for Tim Payne in the 75th minute. New Zealand would go on to win the Nations Cup, defeating Vanuatu 3–0 in the final on 30 June. Kelly-Heald was substituted on in the 88th minute of the final, and made three appearances overall in the tournament.
Honours New Zealand U19 OFC U-19 Men's Championship: 2022.
New Zealand OFC Men's Nations Cup: 2024.
References
External links
Lukas Kelly-Heald at Wellington Phoenix