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Nando Pijnaker

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 and also began playing for local club Ngongotaha, making his first-team debut at the age of 15.

Club career

Western Suburbs

In 2015 Pijnaker moved to Wellington to join the Olé Football Academy, 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. Pijnaker was part of the team to win the Central League in 2017 and reach the final of the 2018 Chatham Cup.

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.

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, a club run in partnership with the Olé Academy. He made his debut on 15 June 2019, starting in a 3–2 loss to Stenungsunds IF.

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.

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. On 31 August 2021, Pijnaker was loaned out to Danish 1st Division club FC Helsingør for the rest of 2021.

Sligo Rovers

On 8 February 2022, Pijnaker joined League of Ireland Premier Division side Sligo Rovers on a season-long loan deal. On 21 December 2022, his transfer was made permanent. 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.

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.

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. 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.