34 Facts About Niklas Moisander

Niklas Kristian Moisander was born on 29 September 1985 and is a Finnish former professional footballer who played as a centre-back.

Niklas Moisander did not make any senior appearances at Ajax between 2003 and 2006 and moved to Zwolle.

Niklas Moisander returned to Ajax in 2012 and played for the side until 2015.

Niklas Moisander remained at Swedish side Malmo FF for four seasons before retiring at the end of the 2024 season.

Niklas Moisander is the twin brother of goalkeeper Henrik Moisander, and is a former captain of the Finland national team.

Niklas Moisander made his international debut for Finland in May 2008, at age 22, and had 62 caps, including appearing in 2010,2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifications before his retirement from international football in 2017.

Niklas Moisander was voted the Finnish Footballer of the Year in both 2012 and 2013.

Niklas Moisander started his football career together with his twin brother Henrik, both joining local TPS from their home town of Turku in 2001.

Niklas Moisander was selected in the starting lineup on 15 May 2003 in a regular season's fixture against cross town rivals Inter Turku.

Niklas Moisander went on to make 17 appearances for TPS during the 2002 and 2003 seasons, becoming a regular with his home club at age 17.

Unable to break into the first team after their second term with the reserves, the twins were separated; while Henrik was dispatched to Assyriska in Sweden, Niklas Moisander remained in the Netherlands, where he signed with FC Zwolle instead.

On 11 July 2008, it was announced that AZ had come to terms with Zwolle for the direct transfer of Niklas Moisander, signing a three-year contract to bind him to the club until the summer of 2011.

Niklas Moisander quickly came back to help his side win the Eredivisie title, the second for the club in its history and Niklas Moisander's personal first.

Niklas Moisander played in four of the six group stage encounters against Dynamo Kyiv, BATE Borisov and Sheriff Tiraspol.

Niklas Moisander played in 14 matches during the club's continental campaign, when it reached the quarter-finals of the competition for the fourth time in the club's history.

Niklas Moisander made his Eredivisie debut for Ajax on 25 August 2012 in a match against NAC Breda, where he scored a goal.

Niklas Moisander established himself as the first-choice centre back under manager Frank de Boer, making a total of 29 league appearances in his first season back with the club while adding four goals.

Niklas Moisander was voted Finnish Footballer of the Year by both the Football Association of Finland and the Finnish Sports' Journalists Association, as Ajax went on to win its 32nd league title in his first year back with the club.

Niklas Moisander participated in the match for 60 minutes in order to regain his form after having suffered an injury which kept him sidelined for a month.

Niklas Moisander was sent off against his former club AZ in a controversial decision.

Niklas Moisander made his Serie A debut on 30 August 2015 in a match against Napoli when he replaced Eder as a substitute on 88th minute.

On 1 July 2021, Niklas Moisander joined Allsvenskan side Malmo FF.

On 28 September 2023, Niklas Moisander extended his contract with Malmo, signing a new deal until the end of 2024.

On 6 December 2024, after the 2024 Allsvenskan, Niklas Moisander announced his retirement from professional football.

Niklas 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.

Niklas Moisander 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, Niklas 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.

Niklas 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, Niklas Moisander was named for the Finland squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification matches, but remained as an unused substitute.

Niklas Moisander scored the winning goal on 10 October 2009 in a World Cup qualifier win over Wales at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium.

Niklas Moisander permanently solidified his position in the team after Baxter brought him in for the final 2010 World Cup qualifying group stage match against Russia.

In 2011, under Mixu Paatelainen, Niklas Moisander gained the captain's armband from Petri Pasanen, becoming the new skipper for Finland.

In November 2017, Niklas Moisander announced his retirement from international duty.

Niklas Moisander is the twin brother of Henrik, a former professional football player as well who played as a goalkeeper.