Niklas Moisander is a Finnish former professional footballer who played as a centre-back.
He began his professional career at AFC Ajax, where he played from 2003 to 2006.
Moisander had a successful stint at AZ Alkmaar from 2008 to 2012, solidifying his reputation as a defender.
Biography
Early Life
Niklas Kristian Moisander was born in Turku, Finland, where he began his football journey alongside his twin brother, Henrik Moisander. Both joined the local club TPS Turku in 2001, and by 2003, Niklas made his debut in the Veikkausliiga, Finland's premier football division. He quickly became a regular player, showcasing his talent in the Turku derby against Inter Turku.
Career
In June 2003, Moisander signed with AFC Ajax, where he initially played for the youth team and later for Jong Ajax. Although he did not make any senior appearances during his first stint at Ajax, he gained valuable experience. After a successful period at PEC Zwolle, he moved to AZ Alkmaar, where he spent five seasons and developed into a solid defender. Moisander returned to Ajax in 2012, contributing to the team's success until 2015. His career continued with a season at U.C. Sampdoria, followed by five years at SV Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga. In 2021, he joined Malmö FF, where he played until his retirement in 2024.
Moisander also had a significant international career, representing Finland at various youth levels before making his senior debut in 2008. He became a key player for the national team, scoring important goals, including a World Cup qualifier against Wales in 2009.
Personal Life
Niklas Moisander is known for his close bond with his twin brother, Henrik, who also had a professional football career as a goalkeeper. Their shared passion for the sport has been a defining aspect of their lives, both on and off the pitch.
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Gallery
Career & Clubs
TPS
Moisander started his football career together with his twin brother Henrik, both joining local TPS from their home town of Turku in 2001. A year later, he made his debut in the Veikkausliiga, the premier division of Football in Finland, under then manager Mika Laurikainen. He was selected in the starting lineup on 15 May 2003 in a regular season's fixture against cross town rivals Inter Turku. He played the full 90 minutes in the 2–0 away win in his first Turku derby match. He went on to make 17 appearances for TPS during the 2002 and 2003 seasons, becoming a regular with his home club at age 17.
Ajax
On 5 June 2003, it was announced that Dutch Eredivisie club Ajax had signed the twins Henrik and Niklas to a two-year contract, binding them to the club until the summer of 2005. At Ajax, they would join the team where both Finland Internationals Jari Litmanen and Petri Pasanen were playing at the time. At first instance, the twins were to join the under-19 team of Ajax A1, competing in the 2003–04 A-junioren Eredivisie league in their first year with the club. The twins helped their side secure the club's eighth A-Juniors league title, under the tutelage and guidance of then coach Danny Blind. The following season saw Moisander and his brother compete in the Beloften Eredivisie for the team's reserve squad Jong Ajax, where they would help to win the reserve league title in their first year on the team. Signing a contract extension for an additional year…
Youth
Moisander made his debut for Finland at youth level, playing for the under-15 squad at age 14 on 29 August 2000 in a friendly match against Sweden-15 in Hallstavik, Sweden. He was capped for the Finnish under-16 squad for the first time at the same age, being two years younger than most of his teammates, and was then capped for the under-17 squad for the first time at 16, being again a year younger than the rest of the team. In total, Moisander amassed three caps for the under-15 side, while scoring once, 12 caps for the under-16 squad, and eight caps for Finland U-17. At age 19 he scored a goal for the Finland U-21 in Limassol, Cyprus, in a match against Slovakia on 10 February 2005.
Senior
Moisander made his official debut for the senior team on 29 May 2008 when he was called up by head coach Stuart Baxter for a friendly match against Turkey at the age of 22, which was contested in Duisburg, Germany. In fall 2008 and spring 2009, Moisander was named for the Finland squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification matches, but remained as an unused substitute. He scored the winning goal on 10 October 2009 in a World Cup qualifier win over Wales at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium. He permanently solidified his position in the team after Baxter brought him in for the final 2010 World Cup qualifying group stage match against Russia. The match ended in a 3–0 loss for the Finns at home, which inevitably cost them the second place in the group, which was then…
Club
As of 6 December 2024
International
Scores and results list Finland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Moisander goal.
- Club
- AFC Ajax (2003–2006)
- Club
- AZ Alkmaar (2008–2012)
- Club
- U.C. Sampdoria (2015–2016)
- Club
- Finland men's national football team (2008–2017)
- Club
- TPS Turku (2002–2003)
- Club
- PEC Zwolle (2006–2008)
- Club
- AFC Ajax (2012–2015)
- Club
- Jong Ajax (2013–2013)
- Club
- Finland national under-17 football team (2001–2002)
- Club
- Finland national under-19 football team (2002–2003)
- Club
- Finland national under-21 football team (2005–2006)
- Club
- Finland national under-20 football team
- League
- Bundesliga
- National team
- Finland
- Club
- SV Werder Bremen (2016–2021)
- Club
- Malmö FF (2021–2024)
Personal
Niklas is the twin brother of Henrik, a former professional football player as well who played as a goalkeeper.
Clubs
- Finland national under-20 football teamcurrent
- Finland national under-17 football team2001–2002
- Finland national under-19 football team2002–2003
- TPS Turku2002–2003
- AFC Ajax2003–2006
- Finland national under-21 football team2005–2006
- PEC Zwolle2006–2008
- AZ Alkmaar2008–2012
- Finland men's national football team2008–2017
- AFC Ajax2012–2015
- Jong Ajax2013–2013
- U.C. Sampdoria2015–2016
- SV Werder Bremen2016–2021
- Malmö FF2021–2024
Played together with
- Aaran LinesSV Werder Bremen
Aaron HuntSV Werder Bremen · 2004–2014
Aaron MokoenaAFC Ajax · 1999–2003
Abdallah AberkaneJong Ajax
Abdelhak NouriAFC Ajax · 2015–2017- Abdelhak NouriJong Ajax · 2015
Abdelhamid SabiriU.C. Sampdoria · 2022–2022- Abdelhamid SabiriU.C. Sampdoria · 2022
- Abdelkrim El HadriouiAZ Alkmaar · 1998–2002
- Abdullah DoğanSV Werder Bremen
- Abubakari YakubuAFC Ajax · 1999–2005
- Adailton dos SantosTPS Turku · 2005–2008
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Niklas Kristian Moisander is a Finnish former professional footballer who played as a centre-back. Moisander was born in Turku, where he played for the local TPS youth team before moving to Ajax. He did not make any senior appearances at Ajax between 2003 and 2006 and moved to Zwolle. After two seasons in the Eerste Divisie, he signed with AZ Alkmaar of the Eredivisie where he spent five seasons. He returned to Ajax in 2012 and played for the side until 2015. Following a one-season stay at Sampdoria, he spent five years at Bundesliga club Werder Bremen. He remained at Swedish side Malmö FF for four seasons before retiring at the end of the 2024 season. He is the twin brother of goalkeeper Henrik Moisander, and is a former captain of the Finland national team.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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