Midfielder Tyrese Francois has left Wigan Athletic to join Brisbane Roar in Australia's A-League. The 26-year-old's departure was confirmed this week after his contract at the DW Stadium was not renewed at the end of last season.
Francois joined Wigan from Premier League side Fulham in the summer of 2024. His two-year stay was defined by frustration, as he managed only 21 appearances due to persistent injury problems. Manager Gary Caldwell opted against offering the former Australia Under-23 international a new deal, leading to his release.
Why was Francois's Wigan spell so difficult?
Tyrese Francois's time with Wigan Athletic never gained momentum. A lot of his two years was spent in the treatment room, a situation he described as hugely frustrating. Speaking to Wigan Today midway through the 2023-24 season, Francois opened up about the mental challenge. "It's so frustrating when you're unable to play, you're unable to have any kind of impact on the team," he said. He noted that dealing with injuries is often tougher mentally than physically.
Despite the setbacks, Francois praised the support around him. He highlighted the Wigan Athletic physios, strength and conditioning staff, and coaching staff as a really good team. He described the club environment as almost perfect for staying motivated during a long recovery. His focus was always on making up for lost time and helping the team, but the opportunity to do so consistently never materialised.
What does Brisbane Roar say about the signing?
Brisbane Roar's sporting director, James Gow, moved quickly to bring Francois back to his homeland. Gow stated the club is pleased to secure a player of Francois's quality, pointing to the immense experience he gained during his years abroad in England. Gow expressed confidence that the midfielder will impact the team positively, describing him as having a fantastic mentality, an excellent football IQ, and a lot of technical ability.
For Francois, the move represents a fresh start. The New South Wales native left Australia as a schoolboy for Fulham's academy. His return is a major career shift. "I’m really happy to be joining Brisbane Roar," Francois said. "I’m excited and looking forward to a new chapter back home in Australia."
Where does this leave Wigan Athletic now?
Francois's exit is one of many changes at Wigan as they build their squad. The club's immediate focus is on improving their league position. As of 30 August 2026, Wigan Athletic sit 24th in League One with 0 points from their opening two games, having lost both. They have scored 2 goals but conceded 5, leaving them with a -3 goal difference and already 6 points behind early leaders Bradford City.
The team's next challenge is a home fixture against 9th-placed Stockport County on 5 September. It's a key early opportunity to get points on the board and change the narrative around their start. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming matches on our fixtures and standings pages. The current squad, which Francois has now left, is detailed on our squad page.
While Francois seeks to reignite his career in the A-League, Wigan must regroup quickly. The early season data shows a team in need of a result, making every squad decision and performance from here critical.
