Finn Linder
New Zealand footballer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Finn Linder (born May 6, 2004) is a professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for HFX Wanderers FC. Born in Canada, he represents New Zealand at international level.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | May 6, 2004 | ||
| Place of birth | Calgary, Alberta, Canada | ||
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||
| Position | Centre-back | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | HFX Wanderers FC | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2013–2017 | Calgary Blizzard SC | ||
| 2018–2020 | Whitecaps FC Alberta Academy | ||
| 2020–2021 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2022–2025 | Whitecaps FC 2 | 44 | (2) |
| 2024 | → Vancouver Whitecaps FC (loan) | 0 | (0) |
| 2026– | HFX Wanderers FC | 0 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2023 | New Zealand U20 | 2 | (0) |
| 2023 | New Zealand U23 | 1 | (0) |
|
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of October 11, 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 10 June 2024 | |||
Early life
Linder began playing youth soccer with Calgary Blizzard SC at age eight.[1][2] In 2017, he was invited to trial with the English club Wigan's academy program.[3] In December 2017, he was selected to join the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Alberta Academy Centre.[4] He was named to Team Alberta in both 2017 and 2018 where he made the team of distinction.[5] In 2020, he moved to Vancouver to join the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Academy.[1]
Club career
In March 2022, Linder signed a professional contract with Whitecaps FC 2 in MLS Next Pro.[6] On June 12, 2022, he scored his first professional goal in a 2-2 draw against the Tacoma Defiance.[7] At the end of the 2022 season, the club picked up his option for the 2023 season.[8] After the 2023 season, he signed an extension for the 2024 season.[9] In 2024, he signed three short-term loans with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC first team.[10][11][12] On July 27, he made his first appearance with the first team in a friendly against Welsh side Wrexham AFC.[13] On August 3, 2024, he made his first team debut in a official match, during a 2024 Leagues Cup match against Mexican side Tijuana.[14] After the 2024 season, his option was picked up for 2025.[15] He missed the 2025 season with an ACL injury.[16]
In January 2026, he signed with Canadian Premier League club HFX Wanderers FC for the 2026 season, with options for 2027 and 2028.[17]
International Career
Born in Canada, Linder has German and New Zealand heritage through his parents.[16]
In March 2023, he was called up to the New Zealand U23 squad for a friendly series against China U23.[18] In May 2023, he was named to the New Zealand U20 squad for the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup.[19] He made his debut for the U20s on May 26, in the final group stage match against Argentina U20.[20][21]
Career statistics
- As of October 12, 2024[22]
| Club | Season | League | Playoffs | Domestic Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Whitecaps FC 2 | 2022 | MLS Next Pro | 12 | 1 | – | – | – | 12 | 1 | |||
| 2023 | 10 | 1 | – | – | – | 10 | 1 | |||||
| 2024 | 22 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | – | 23 | 0 | ||||
| 2025 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 44 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 45 | 2 | ||
| Vancouver Whitecaps FC (loan) | 2024 | Major League Soccer | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1[a] | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Career total | 44 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 46 | 2 | ||
- Appearance(s) in Leagues Cup