New Zealand footballer (born 1999)
Nando Zen Pijnaker (born 25 February 1999) is a New Zealand professional footballer who plays as a centre back for League of Ireland Premier Division side Sligo Rovers . Pijnaker also plays for the New Zealand national team .
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 [3] and also began playing for local club Ngongotaha , making his first-team debut at the age of 15.[4]
Club career
Western Suburbs
In 2015 Pijnaker moved to Wellington to join the Olé Football Academy ,[3] 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.[5] Pijnaker was part of the team to win the Central League in 2017 and reach the final of the 2018 Chatham Cup .[6] [7] [5]
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 .[8]
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 ,[3] a club run in partnership with the Olé Academy.[9] He made his debut on 15 June 2019, starting in a 3–2 loss to Stenungsunds IF .[10] [11]
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] [12] [3]
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.[13]
Sligo Rovers
On 8 February 2022, Pijnaker joined League of Ireland Premier Division side Sligo Rovers on a season-long loan deal.[14] On 21 December 2022, his transfer was made permanent.[15] 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 .[16]
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.[17]
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 .[18]
In 2024, During match against Egyptian national team, he made a tackle that led to a penalty kick and the injury of Emam Ashur. The match ended with a loss of 0–1.
Career statistics
Honours
Western Suburbs
Eastern Suburbs
References
^ "FIFA U-20 World Cup Poland 2019: List of Players: New Zealand" (PDF) . FIFA. 13 June 2019. p. 11. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 February 2020.
^ a b c Smith, Tony (30 August 2020). "All Whites defender Nando Pijnaker signs for Portuguese premier league club" . Stuff . Retrieved 11 October 2020 .
^ a b c d Beck, David (4 February 2020). "Former Rotorua footballer Nando Pijnaker signs professional contract" . NZ Herald . Retrieved 11 October 2020 .
^ "Football: Rising star wins place at top academy" . 25 February 2015 – via www.nzherald.co.nz.
^ a b Hyslop, Liam (21 September 2018). "Moulding a Kiwi Messi: Ole Football Academy's neverending football quest" . Stuff . Retrieved 18 November 2019 .
^ Hyslop, Liam (30 July 2017). "Western Suburbs win Central League title with two games to go" . Stuff . Retrieved 18 November 2019 .
^ "Western Suburbs" . Ultimatenzsoccer . Retrieved 18 November 2019 .
^ Voerman, Andrew (1 April 2019). "Eastern Suburbs' national league win a showcase for youth development" . Stuff . Retrieved 18 November 2019 .
^ "The Torslanda Project - The Gothenburg Post" . Olé Football Academy . 20 August 2019.
^ "Stenungsund vs. Torslanda - 15 June 2019 - Soccerway" . Soccerway . Retrieved 11 October 2020 .
^ "Flying Kiwis – June 18" . The Niche Cache . Retrieved 11 October 2020 .
^ @ElemenTwelve (28 January 2020). "🇳🇿 Nando Pijnaker joins..." (Tweet ) – via Twitter .
^ FC HELSINGØR LEJER DEN NEWZEALANDSKE LANDSHOLDSSPILLER NANDO PIJNAKER HOS PORTUGISISKE RIO AVE FC , fchelsingor.dk, 31 August 2021
^ "Pijnaker joins Rovers on loan from Rio Ave" . Sligo Rovers FC. 8 February 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2022 .
^ "Rovers complete transfer of Nando Pijnaker" . Sligo Rovers F.C. 21 December 2022. Retrieved 15 February 2023 .
^ https://www.independent.ie/regionals/sligo/sport/soccer/sligo-rovers-confirm-nando-pijnaker-has-sustained-broken-ribs/a380595928.html
^ Voerman, Andrew (3 June 2019). "Progress made as Fifa Under-20 World Cup campaign ends with heartbreak, not history" . Stuff . Retrieved 18 November 2019 .
^ Voerman, Andrew. "Second-string All Whites fail to seize opportunities in loss to Lithuania" . Stuff . Retrieved 18 November 2019 .
External links