Nando Pijnaker
New Zealand footballer (born 1999)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Nando Zen Pijnaker (Dutch: [ˈnɑndo zɛn ˈpɛi̯.nɑ.kər];[3] born 25 February 1999) is a professional footballer who plays as a centre back for A-League Men club Auckland FC. Born in the Netherlands, he represents the New Zealand national team.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Nando Zen Pijnaker[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 25 February 1999 | ||
| Place of birth | Brummen, Netherlands | ||
| Height | 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)[2] | ||
| Position | Centre back | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Auckland FC | ||
| Number | 4 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| –2014 | Ngongotaha | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2014 | Ngongotaha | ||
| 2015–2019 | Western Suburbs | 20 | (1) |
| 2018–2019 | Eastern Suburbs | 16 | (1) |
| 2019 | Torslanda IK | 14 | (0) |
| 2020 | Grasshopper | 2 | (0) |
| 2020–2022 | Rio Ave B | 11 | (0) |
| 2020–2022 | Rio Ave | 0 | (0) |
| 2021 | → Helsingør (loan) | 1 | (0) |
| 2022 | → Sligo Rovers (loan) | 31 | (1) |
| 2023–2024 | Sligo Rovers | 46 | (0) |
| 2024– | Auckland FC | 37 | (4) |
| 2025– | → Auckland FC Reserves | 1 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2019 | New Zealand U-20 | 4 | (0) |
| 2019– | New Zealand | 23 | (0) |
|
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 11 February 2026 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 25 February 2025 | |||
Early life
Pijnaker was born in the Netherlands and migrated to New Zealand with his family at the age of three, settling in Rotorua. He attended and played football for Western Heights High School[4] and also began playing for local club Ngongotaha, making his first-team debut at the age of 15.[5]
Club career
Western Suburbs
In 2015 Pijnaker moved to Wellington to join the Olé Football Academy,[4] then run by Declan Edge, and played for affiliated club Western Suburbs in the Central League that features teams from the lower half of the North Island of New Zealand.[6] Pijnaker was part of the team to win the Central League in 2017 and reach the final of the 2018 Chatham Cup.[7][8][6]
Eastern Suburbs
Through the Olé Academy partnership, Pijnaker signed for Olé affiliate Eastern Suburbs, winning the ISPS Handa Premiership and qualifying for the OFC Champions League.[9]
Torslanda IK
Following the conclusion of New Zealand's 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup campaign, Pijnaker joined his former coach Declan Edge at Swedish Division 2 Norra Götaland side Torslanda IK,[4] a club run in partnership with the Olé Academy.[10] He made his debut on 15 June 2019, starting in a 3–2 loss to Stenungsunds IF.[11][12]
Grasshopper
After a 10 day trial, Pijnaker signed in January 2020 with Swiss Challenge League club Grasshopper, joining international teammate Max Mata. He made two appearances for the club.[2][13][4]
Rio Ave
After the short stint at Grasshoper, Pijnaker signed a four-year deal with Portuguese Primeira Liga club Rio Ave on 30 August 2020.[2] On 31 August 2021, Pijnaker was loaned out to Danish 1st Division club FC Helsingør for the rest of 2021.[14]
Sligo Rovers
On 8 February 2022, Pijnaker joined League of Ireland Premier Division side Sligo Rovers on a season-long loan deal.[15] On 21 December 2022, his transfer was made permanent.[16] On 1 April 2024, Pijnaker suffered broken ribs in a collision with his own goalkeeper Ed McGinty in a 3–0 loss away to St Patrick's Athletic.[17] On 1 September 2024, it was announced that Pijnaker had left the club to return closer to home.[18]
Auckland FC
On 3 September 2024, Pijnaker joined the newly formed A-League Men side, Auckland FC, becoming their 22nd signing ahead of their inaugural season in the A-League Men.[19]
Pijnaker scored his first goal for the club against Sydney FC, netting the match-winner in the 97th minute. The match-worn shirt from the game was later donated to the Auckland Museum, where it became part of the museum’s collection representing Auckland FC’s inaugural A-League Men season.[20]
International career
U-20
Pijnaker was named in the New Zealand U-20 side for the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Pijnaker played in all four games, playing full 90 minutes in all but one of them.[21]
National team
Pijnaker made his senior debut for New Zealand on 18 November 2019, coming on as a substitute in their 0–1 loss to Lithuania.[22]
On 25 June 2021, Pijnaker was called up to the New Zealand squad for the delayed 2020 Summer Olympics.[23]
Career statistics
| Club | Season | League | National Cup | Continental | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Honours
Western Suburbs
- Central League winners: 2017, 2019
- 2018 Chatham Cup runner-up: 2018
Eastern Suburbs
- New Zealand Football Championship champions: 2018–19
Auckland FC
