Finn Linder

Finn Linder
Personal information
Date of birth (2004-05-06) 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

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.

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
  1. ^ Appearance(s) in Leagues Cup

References

  1. ^ a b Timko, Brandon (March 30, 2021). "Alberta players proving their mettle in Whitecaps FC BMO MLS Academy". Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
  2. ^ "Obelisq signs Finn Linder". Obelisq. March 2, 2023.
  3. ^ "Blizzard Boys Train at Wigan FC Academy in UK". Calgary Blizzard SC. 23 August 2017.
  4. ^ "Blizzard Players Selected for Higher Level Playing Opportunities". Calgary Blizzard SC. December 11, 2017.
  5. ^ "Alberta Players of Distinction" (PDF). Alberta Soccer. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  6. ^ "WFC2 add five teenagers from Whitecaps FC BMO Academy". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. 16 March 2022.
  7. ^ Pereira, Sebastian (June 12, 2022). "WFC2 battle to 2-2 draw against Cascadia rivals Tacoma Defiance, fall 4-2 in shootout". Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
  8. ^ "Whitecaps FC 2 announce end of season roster decisions". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. November 18, 2022.
  9. ^ "Whitecaps FC roster updates from first team and WFC2". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. November 17, 2023.
  10. ^ "Six WFC2 players signed to MLS short-term agreements". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. July 26, 2024.
  11. ^ "Whitecaps FC sign WFC2 defender Finn Linder and midfielder Eliot Goldthorp to second MLS short-term agreements". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. August 2, 2024.
  12. ^ "Whitecaps FC sign WFC2 defender Finn Linder to third MLS short-term agreement". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. August 6, 2024.
  13. ^ Burns, Alistair (July 27, 2024). "Bovalina scores a thunderbolt". Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
  14. ^ Vallejo, Felipe (August 4, 2024). "Moving on to the next round!". Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
  15. ^ "Whitecaps FC announce 2025 WFC2 roster updates". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. December 11, 2024.
  16. ^ a b Healey, Josh (January 16, 2026). "Wanderers tap into MLS Next Pro talent with Linder, Olguin signings". HFX Football Post.
  17. ^ "Wanderers sign former Whitecaps defender Finn Linder". HFX Wanderers FC. 14 January 2026.
  18. ^ "Linder, Herdman called up to New Zealand U-23 national team". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. 1 March 2023.
  19. ^ "Linder and Herdman named to New Zealand's FIFA U-20 World Cup roster". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. May 2, 2023.
  20. ^ "U-20s defeated by hosts Argentina". New Zealand Football. 27 May 2023.
  21. ^ Robinson, Nick (29 May 2023). "Aotearoa at the 2023 men's U20 World Cup: Compelte fustigation vs Argentina". The Niche Cache.
  22. ^ Finn Linder at Soccerway
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