FROM the dream of playing at a FIFA World Cup to helping his country come within one victory of qualifying for football’s biggest stage, Josué Welepane is bringing a wealth of experience to Extra Bula FC.

The 26-year-old New Caledonian international, who captained AS Tiga Sport during its rise to prominence, has signed with Fiji’s first professional football club for the 2027 OFC Professional League season.

Welepane was part of the historic New Caledonia side that reached the intercontinental play-offs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, becoming the first Pacific Island nation to achieve the milestone.

Although their campaign ended with a narrow 1-0 defeat to Jamaica in Mexico, the experience reinforced the defender’s credentials as one of the region’s established football leaders.

His journey began at the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup in India, an experience he described as a dream come true.

Since then, he has progressed to the senior national team, representing New Caledonia at the Pacific Games, World Cup qualifying campaigns and several OFC Men’s Champions League tournaments.

But it is his leadership journey at AS Tiga Sport that could prove particularly valuable to the Bula Warriors.

Having spent his entire career with the club, Welepane rose through the ranks to captain the side and helped it secure national championship success in 2024.