{{short description|Finnish footballer (born 1985)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Niklas Moisander | image = Niklas Moisander (cropped).jpg | caption = Moisander with Werder Bremen in 2019 | full_name = Niklas Kristian Moisander<ref name="sw">{{Soccerway|36807|accessdate=19 November 2013}}</ref> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1985|9|29}}<ref name="sampdoria_201516">{{cite web |url=http://www.sampdoria.it/player/201516-niklas-moisander/ |title=4 Niklas Moisander Difensore |website=sampdoria.it |publisher=U.C.Sampdoria |access-date=11 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304204417/http://www.sampdoria.it/player/201516-niklas-moisander/ |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | birth_place = Turku, Finland | height = 1.83 m<ref name="sampdoria_201516"/> | position = Centre-back | currentclub = | youthyears1 = 1996–2002 | youthclubs1 = TPS | years1 = 2002–2003 | clubs1 = TPS | caps1 = 17 | goals1 = 0 | years2 = 2003–2006 | clubs2 = Ajax | caps2 = 0 | goals2 = 0 | years3 = 2006–2008 | clubs3 = Zwolle | caps3 = 71 | goals3 = 5 | years4 = 2008–2012 | clubs4 = AZ Alkmaar | caps4 = 111 | goals4 = 3 | years5 = 2012–2015 | clubs5 = Ajax | caps5 = 77 | goals5 = 5 | years7 = 2015–2016 | clubs7 = Sampdoria | caps7 = 22 | goals7 = 0 | years8 = 2016–2021 | clubs8 = Werder Bremen | caps8 = 125 | goals8 = 2 | years9 = 2021–2024 | clubs9 = Malmö FF | caps9 = 29 | goals9 = 0 | totalcaps = 452 | totalgoals = 15 | nationalyears1 = 2000 | nationalteam1 = Finland U15 | nationalcaps1 = 3 | nationalgoals1 = 1 | nationalyears2 = 2001 | nationalteam2 = Finland U16 | nationalcaps2 = 12 | nationalgoals2 = 0 | nationalyears3 = 2001–2002 | nationalteam3 = Finland U17 | nationalcaps3 = 16 | nationalgoals3 = 0 | nationalyears4 = 2002 | nationalteam4 = Finland U18 | nationalcaps4 = 2 | nationalgoals4 = 0 | nationalyears5 = 2002–2003 | nationalteam5 = Finland U19 | nationalcaps5 = 3 | nationalgoals5 = 0 | nationalyears6 = 2005–2006 | nationalteam6 = Finland U21 | nationalcaps6 = 8 | nationalgoals6 = 1 | nationalyears7 = 2008–2017 | nationalteam7 = Finland | nationalcaps7 = 62 | nationalgoals7 = 2 | medaltemplates = {{medalTeam|Finland national football team}} {{Medal|3rd|Baltic Cup|2014}} }}
'''Niklas Kristian Moisander''' (born 29 September 1985) 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.
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.<ref name="werder.de">{{cite web|title=Moisander retires from Finland international duty|url=https://www.werder.de/en/news/news/werder-bremen-news/20172018/moisander-finland-20112017/|website=SV Werder Bremen|access-date=1 December 2017|date=20 November 2017}}</ref> He was voted the Finnish Footballer of the Year in both 2012 and 2013.
==Club career==
===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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mtv3.fi/urheilu/futis/uutiset.shtml/2003/06/171984/moisanderin-veljekset-ajaxiin |title=Moisanderin veljekset Ajaxiin |publisher=MTV3|access-date=5 June 2003}}</ref>
===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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.voetbalzone.nl/doc.asp?uid=4194 |title=Ajax contracteert de Finse gebroeders Moisander |date=5 June 2003 |publisher=Voetbalzone|access-date=18 November 2013}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mtv3.fi/urheilu/futis/uutiset.shtml/2003/06/172421/moisanderin-veljesten-naytot-vakuuttivat-ajaxin |title=Moisanderin veljesten näytöt vakuuttivat Ajaxin |publisher=MTV3|access-date=9 June 2003}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ad.nl/ad/nl/1441/Ajax/article/detail/3303834/2012/08/21/Moisander-Ajax-is-mijn-droomclub.dhtml |title=Moisander: 'Ajax is mijn droomclub' |publisher=AD.nl|access-date=19 November 2013}}</ref> Signing a contract extension for an additional year by the end of the season, Ajax eventually won the KNVB Cup in conclusion. Unable to break into the first team, however, after their second term with the reserves, the twins were separated; while Henrik was dispatched to Assyriska in Sweden, Niklas remained in the Netherlands, where he signed with FC Zwolle instead.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/netherlands/teams/aja/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020926193429/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/netherlands/teams/aja/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 September 2002 |title=The Year in Football: Ajax Amsterdam |publisher=Sports Illustrated|access-date=19 November 2013}}</ref>
===FC Zwolle=== On 3 May 2006 it was announced that Moisander would transfer to the Eerste Divisie side FC Zwolle, signing a two-year contract with the club from Overijssel.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.peczwolle.nl/nl/nieuwsarchief/66/fc-zwolle-contracteert-verdediger-moisander2006-05-03/fc-zwolle-contracteert-verdediger-moisander2006-05-03?search=moisander&fromday=&frommonth=&fromyear=&today=&tomonth=&toyear= |title=FC Zwolle contracteert verdediger Moisander |publisher=peczwolle.nl |access-date=19 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303174101/http://www.peczwolle.nl/nl/nieuwsarchief/66/fc-zwolle-contracteert-verdediger-moisander2006-05-03/fc-zwolle-contracteert-verdediger-moisander2006-05-03?search=moisander&fromday=&frommonth=&fromyear=&today=&tomonth=&toyear= |archive-date=3 March 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He made his debut on 11 August 2006 in a 2–0 win at home against Fortuna Sittard in the KNVB Cup match, at which point he immediately establishing his position in the starting XI of the team.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fcupdate.nl/voetbaluitslagen/207712/knvb-beker-pec-zwolle-fortuna-sittard/ |title=KNVB Beker; FC Zwolle - Fortuna Sittard|publisher=FCUpdate.nl|access-date=19 November 2013}}</ref> Midway through his first season, his contract was annulled and extended for an additional year, binding him to the club until the summer of 2009.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.iltasanomat.fi/urheilu/art-1288339373549.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819084609/http://www.iltasanomat.fi/urheilu/art-1288339373549.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 August 2014 |title=Niklas Moisander siirtyi FC Zwolleen |publisher=Ilta-Sanomat|access-date=3 May 2006}}</ref> After his first two seasons, and with one year still remaining on his contract, Zwolle and AZ Alkmaar agreed to terms for a direct transfer of Moisander for a reported €600,000 transfer fee, returning to the top flight of Dutch football. During his stay in Zwolle, he made 75 appearances for the club, scoring five times, where he was an instrumental player for his side.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.iltasanomat.fi/jalkapallo/art-1288338253659.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819085418/http://www.iltasanomat.fi/jalkapallo/art-1288338253659.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 August 2014 |title=Moisander jatkaa FC Zwollessa |publisher=Ilta-Sanomat|access-date=2 October 2007}}</ref>
===AZ=== On 11 July 2008, it was announced that AZ had come to terms with Zwolle for the direct transfer of Moisander, signing a three-year contract to bind him to the club until the summer of 2011.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.az.nl/nieuws/moisander-van-broodjes-naar-pasta/1 |title=Moisander: van broodjes naar pasta|publisher=AZ.nl|access-date=19 November 2013}}</ref> He made his Eredivisie debut on 20 September 2008 for AZ in its 1–0 home win against Dutch giants PSV.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.iltasanomat.fi/jalkapallo/art-1288336336744.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019165928/http://www.iltasanomat.fi/jalkapallo/art-1288336336744.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 October 2014 |title=AZ-pakki Niklas Moisanderille makea debyytti Eredivisiessa |publisher=Ilta-Sanomat|access-date=21 September 2008}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en/match/24549/az-vs-psv/preview |title=AZ 1-0 PSV|publisher=Goal.com|access-date=19 November 2013}}</ref> He scored his first goal for AZ on 3 October 2008 in the 6–0 regular season victory over Sparta Rotterdam.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2008/10/03/netherlands/eredivisie/stichting-az/sparta-rotterdam-bv/658218/news/ |title=AZ 6-0 Sparta Rotterdam|publisher=Soccerway|access-date=26 August 2021}}</ref> He was able to establish himself as the first choice defender under manager Louis van Gaal, playing a total of 22 full league matches, having briefly been sidelined in the months of January and February due to a knee injury.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.iltasanomat.fi/jalkapallo/art-1288338857160.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140420062435/http://www.iltasanomat.fi/jalkapallo/art-1288338857160.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 April 2014 |title=Niklas Moisanderin siirto AZ Alkmaariin sinetöity |publisher=Ilta-Sanomat|access-date=5 June 2008}}</ref> [[File:Moisander.jpg|thumb|137px|right|Moisander with AZ Alkmaar in 2011]] Moisander quickly came back to help his side win the Eredivisie title, the second for the club in its history and Moisander's personal first. That season, the title race had come down to the final round, and although AZ had lost their last game of the season against Vitesse, it was still able to consequently clinch the league due to eminent losses suffered by title contenders Ajax and Twente.<ref name="ere2009">{{Cite web|url=http://www.iltasanomat.fi/jalkapallo/art-1288339358820.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019165910/http://www.iltasanomat.fi/jalkapallo/art-1288339358820.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 October 2014 |title=Niklas Moisanderista Hollannin jalkapallomestari |publisher=Ilta-Sanomat|access-date=19 April 2009}}</ref> The following season, Moisander made his continental debut, playing in the 2009–10 UEFA Champions League group stage campaign.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.iltasanomat.fi/jalkapallo/art-1288338218428.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019165916/http://www.iltasanomat.fi/jalkapallo/art-1288338218428.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 October 2014 |title=Niklas Moisander AZ:ssa vuoteen 2014 |publisher=Ilta-Sanomat|access-date=27 April 2009}}</ref> Playing in five out of the six matches against the likes of Arsenal, Olympiacos and Standard Liège, AZ finished in the bottom of the group under newly appointed manager Ronald Koeman. This was after having won the Dutch Super Cup (the Johan Cruyff Shield) against Heerenveen at the start of the season.<ref name="jcs2009">{{Cite web|url=http://www.iltasanomat.fi/jalkapallo/art-1288337529246.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610214812/http://www.iltasanomat.fi/jalkapallo/art-1288337529246.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 June 2015|title=Niklas Moisander ja uusi valmentaja vanhoja tuttuja |publisher=Ilta-Sanomat|access-date=30 June 2009}}</ref> Midway through the season, the team changed management again when Dick Advocaat was hired as a replacement for Koeman, and the club finishing the season in fifth place and thus qualifying for the 2010–11 UEFA Europa League Third qualifying round.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.iltasanomat.fi/jalkapallo/art-1288335950397.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140420062158/http://www.iltasanomat.fi/jalkapallo/art-1288335950397.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 April 2014|title=Inter puolusti tasapelin |publisher=Ilta-Sanomat|access-date=16 September 2009}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.iltasanomat.fi/jalkapallo/art-1288338878805.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610202931/http://www.iltasanomat.fi/jalkapallo/art-1288338878805.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 June 2015|title=Uusi pomo vakuutti heti Niklas Moisanderin |publisher=Ilta-Sanomat|access-date=11 December 2009}}</ref>
Ahead of the 2010–11 season, AZ had found another replacement in Gertjan Verbeek as the new manager.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.iltasanomat.fi/jalkapallo/art-1288339705474.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819090705/http://www.iltasanomat.fi/jalkapallo/art-1288339705474.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 August 2014|title=Moisander aloittanut harjoittelun uuden valmentajan alaisuudessa |publisher=Ilta-Sanomat|access-date=25 June 2010}}</ref> Moisander played a major role in helping his side to qualify for the 2010–11 Europa League group stage, having appeared in all four games in the qualifying rounds. He also played in four of the six group stage encounters against Dynamo Kyiv, BATE Borisov and Sheriff Tiraspol. The team, however, finished the league in fourth place, thus qualifying for the qualifying rounds once more.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.iltasanomat.fi/jalkapallo/art-1288339310536.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819090436/http://www.iltasanomat.fi/jalkapallo/art-1288339310536.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 August 2014|title=Niklas Moisander debytoi AZ:n kipparina |publisher=Ilta-Sanomat|access-date=8 August 2010}}</ref>
Following the departure of Stijn Schaars to Sporting CP ahead of the 2011–12 season, Moisander was appointed as AZ's new team captain.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.iltasanomat.fi/jalkapallo/art-1288403329775.html|title=Niklas Moisander sai luottamuksen osoituksen Hollannissa|publisher=Ilta-Sanomat|access-date=23 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224100456/http://www.iltasanomat.fi/jalkapallo/art-1288403329775.html|archive-date=24 December 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Securing the group stage of the 2011–12 Europa League once more, through a successful qualifying campaign against Baumit Jablonec and Aalesunds FK, his team would then successfully advance out of the group stage, where it faced off with the likes of Austria Wien, Malmö FF and Metalist Kharkiv, finishing in second place in the group. The club then advanced to the quarter-finals by defeating Anderlecht and Udinese in previous rounds, eventually bowing out to Valencia 5–2 on aggregate. 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. Moisander started the 2012–13 Eredivisie season with AZ, making two league appearances, before transferring back to neighboring Ajax.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.iltasanomat.fi/jalkapallo/art-1288460360432.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224125158/http://www.iltasanomat.fi/jalkapallo/art-1288460360432.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 December 2013|title=Moisanderin AZ:n europelit päättyivät {{!}} Julkaisija |publisher=Ilta-Sanomat|access-date=4 May 2012}}</ref>
===Return to Ajax=== On 21 August 2012, both clubs agreed to terms of a €4 million transfer fee to acquire Moisander, as he returned to Ajax on a three-year contract as a replacement for the Tottenham Hotspur-bound Jan Vertonghen.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.iltasanomat.fi/jalkapallo/art-1288493239851.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120821121833/http://www.iltasanomat.fi/jalkapallo/art-1288493239851.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 August 2012|title=De Telegraaf: Moisanderin unelmasiirto varmistui |publisher=Ilta-Sanomat|access-date=20 August 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://yle.fi/urheilu/ajax_vahvisti_moisanderin_siirron_-_niklas_on_juuri_sita_mita_haimme/6263964|title=Ajax vahvisti Moisanderin siirron - "Niklas on juuri sitä mitä haimme" |publisher=YLE Urheilu|access-date=21 August 2012}}</ref> Moisander made his Eredivisie debut for Ajax on 25 August 2012 in a match against NAC Breda, where he also scored a goal.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.iltasanomat.fi/jalkapallo/art-1288494663633.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120828173128/http://www.iltasanomat.fi/jalkapallo/art-1288494663633.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 August 2012|title=Moisander avasi heti maalitilin Ajaxissa - katso video |publisher=Ilta-Sanomat|access-date=26 August 2012}}</ref> He 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. On 3 October 2012, he scored a header in a UEFA Champions League match, a 4–1 home defeat against Real Madrid.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.iltasanomat.fi/mestarienliiga/art-1288504718459.html|title=Moisander osui Ronaldo-showssa|publisher=Ilta-Sanomat|access-date=3 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924124658/http://www.iltasanomat.fi/mestarienliiga/art-1288504718459.html|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> He then scored the winner in the Champions League game against Manchester City on 24 October, again with a header.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://yle.fi/urheilu/moisander_valittiin_vuoden_parhaaksi/6373737|title=Moisander valittiin vuoden parhaaksi |publisher=YLE Urheilu|access-date=12 November 2012}}</ref> Moisander played in all six matches during the clubs' 2012–13 Champions League campaign, where the club finished in third place behind Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid, thus qualifying for the 2012–13 Europa League round of 16, where the team would suffer an early exit by a loss to Steaua București, losing 4–2 on penalties in the final match following a 2–2 deadlock.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://yle.fi/urheilu/lajien_parhaat_valittu_-_hurja_putki_katkesi/6452233|title=Lajien parhaat valittu - hurja putki katkesi |publisher=YLE Urheilu|access-date=15 January 2013}}</ref> 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.<ref name="ere2013">{{Cite web|url=http://yle.fi/urheilu/moisanderin_ajax_varmisti_32_hollannin_mestaruutensa/6619803|title=Moisanderin Ajax varmisti 32. Hollannin mestaruutensa |publisher=YLE Urheilu|access-date=5 May 2013}}</ref>
Following an injury to Siem de Jong the following season, and after the departure of vice-captain, fellow centre back Toby Alderweireld to Atlético Madrid, Moisander wore the captain's armband for the first time for Ajax in an away match against Groningen on 1 September 2013. He played his 50th official match for Ajax on 22 September in the ''Topper'' match against rivals PSV, which ended in a 4–0 loss for Ajax. On 4 November, he made an appearance in the Eerste Divisie playing for the newly promoted reserve team Jong Ajax in its 3–2 away loss to Helmond Sport. 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ajaxshowtime.com/hoofdnieuws/74585/live-20-00u-jong-ajax-helmond-sport-0-0-.html|title=Domper Jong Ajax in Helmond |publisher=Ajax Showtime|access-date=19 November 2013}}</ref>
Moisander was sent off against his former club AZ in a controversial decision. Ajax went on to lose the match 1–0.<ref>{{cite news|title=De Boer: 'Schandalige rode kaart breekpunt in de wedstrijd'|trans-title=De Boer: 'Scandalous red card breakpoint in the game'|url=http://www.nu.nl/voetbal/3987257/boer-schandalige-rode-kaart-breekpunt-in-wedstrijd.html|access-date=8 July 2016|work=NU.nl|date=5 February 2015|language=nl}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Ajax-verdediger Moisander verwacht dat rode kaart geseponeerd wordt|trans-title=Ajax defender Moisander expects red card will be dropped|url=http://www.nu.nl/sport/3987264/ajax-verdediger-moisander-verwacht-rode-kaart-geseponeerd-wordt.html|access-date=8 July 2016|work=NU.nl|date=6 February 2015|language=nl}}</ref>
=== Sampdoria === On 25 March 2015, it was announced that Moisander would move to Italian Serie A club Sampdoria at the end of the 2014–15 season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2015/03/25/10171932/ajax-captain-moisander-to-join-sampdoria|title=Ajax captain Moisander to join Sampdoria |publisher=Goal.com|access-date=25 March 2015}}</ref> As his contract at Ajax was expiring, he moved on a free transfer, signing a three-year contract.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Gladwell|first1=Ben|title=Sampdoria announce signing of Niklas Moisander from Ajax|url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/2365605/sampdoria-announce-signing-of-niklas-moisander-from-ajax|access-date=8 July 2016|work=ESPNFC|date=25 March 2016}}</ref> He made his Serie A debut on 30 August 2015 in a match against Napoli when he replaced Éder as a substitute on 88th minute.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://it.eurosport.com/calcio/serie-a/2015-2016/le-pagelle-di-napoli-sampdoria-2-2_sto4886182/story.shtml |title=Le pagelle di Napoli-Sampdoria 2-2 |date= 30 August 2015 |access-date=12 January 2019|publisher=Eurosport|language=it}}</ref>
===Werder Bremen=== On 9 July 2016, German Bundesliga side Werder Bremen announced it had completed the signing of Moisander.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bremen sign Finland defender Moisander|url=http://www.bundesliga.com/en/news/Bundesliga/noblsp-werder-bremen-sign-finland-niklas-moisander-from-serie-a-sampdoria.jsp|access-date=9 July 2016|work=Bundesliga|date=9 July 2016}}</ref> The transfer fee paid to Sampdoria was a reported €1.7 million.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sander|first1=Carsten|last2=Knips|first2=Björn|title=Moisander: Stratege mit temporärem Handicap|trans-title=Strategist with a temporary handicap|url=http://www.kreiszeitung.de/werder-bremen/werder-bremen-moisander-stratege-temporaerem-handicap-6559905.html|access-date=11 July 2016|work=Kreiszeitung|date=11 July 2016|language=de}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Klemm|first1=Hans-Günter|title=Moisander: Ein Chef all Aufbauhelfer|url=https://www.kicker.de/moisander_ein-chef-als-aufbauhelfer-655754/artikel|access-date=11 July 2016|work=kicker Online|date=11 July 2016|language=de}}</ref> He made his Bundesliga debut in a 4–1 loss against Borussia Mönchengladbach on 16 September 2016, replacing Fallou Diagne at half-time with Werder Bremen trailing 0–4.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.is.fi/eurosarjat/art-2000001263327.html|title=Niklas Moisander pääsi viimein kentälle Bundesliigassa|date= 17 September 2016 |access-date=24 September 2016|publisher=Ilta-Sanomat|language=fi}}</ref>
On 8 July 2017, he suffered a torn muscle fibre in his right thigh playing in a friendly match against his former club Ajax Amsterdam,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.werder.de/de/aktuell/news/profis/20172018/verletzung-moisander-10072017/|title=Moisander erleidet Muskelfaserriss|language=de|website=werder.de|publisher=SV Werder Bremen|date=10 July 2017|access-date=16 March 2020}}</ref> the match was later abandoned because Ajax player Abdelhak Nouri suffered a heart attack.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Ford|first1=Matt|title=Werder Bremen friendly called off after Ajax's Abdelhak Nouri collapses|url=http://www.dw.com/en/werder-bremen-friendly-called-off-after-ajaxs-abdelhak-nouri-collapses/a-39611771|access-date=13 July 2017|work=Deutsche Welle|date=8 July 2017}}</ref>
In July 2018, Moisander's contract was extended.<ref>{{cite news |title=Finland international Moisander to pen extension at Bremen |url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-07/13/c_137322384.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713155114/http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-07/13/c_137322384.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 July 2018 |access-date=17 July 2018 |work=Xinhua News Agency |date=13 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Moisander hat unterschrieben |url=https://www.deichstube.de/news/werder-bremen-niklas-moisander-hat-unterschrieben-10040832.html |access-date=17 July 2018 |work=Deichstube |date=17 July 2018 |language=de}}</ref>
In July 2019, he was announced as the club's captain after Max Kruse's departure.<ref>{{cite web |title=Neuer Werder-Kapitän: Moisander folgt auf Kruse |url=https://www.kicker.de/neuer-werder-kapitaen_moisander-folgt-auf-kruse-754568/artikel |website=kicker Online |access-date=1 August 2019 |language=de |date=1 August 2019}}</ref> After playing the first three league matches of the season, he suffered a thigh injury.<ref name="extension2019"/> In November, while still unable to play due to the injury, he agreed a contract extension with Werder Bremen, reportedly until 2021.<ref name="extension2019">{{cite web |last1=Müller |first1=Thiemo |title=Bremen: Moisander bleibt bis 2021 |url=https://www.kicker.de/bremen_moisander_bleibt_bis_2021-763476/artikel |website=kicker Online |access-date=25 November 2019 |language=de |date=25 November 2019}}</ref>
In May 2021, Werder Bremen announced that Moisander's contract would not be extended.<ref>{{cite web |title=Moisander und Gebre Selassie: Zwei Kapitäne verlassen das gesunkene Schiff |url=https://www.kicker.de/moisander-und-gebre-selassie-zwei-kapitaene-verlassen-das-gesunkene-schiff-805799/artikel |website=kicker |access-date=25 June 2021 |language=de |date=25 May 2021}}</ref>
===Malmö FF=== On 1 July 2021, Moisander joined Allsvenskan side Malmö FF.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Winkelmann |first1=Marius |title=Moisander-Wechsel nach Malmö perfekt |url=https://www.weser-kurier.de/werder/profis/moisander-wechsel-perfekt-ex-werder-kapitaen-schliesst-sich-malmoe-ff-an-doc7ggs73tl64014ut4lh8f |access-date=1 July 2021 |work=Weser-Kurier |date=1 July 2021 |language=de}}</ref> He helped them win the 2021 Allsvenskan as well as the 2021–22 Svenska Cupen titles during his first year at the club.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Niklas Moisander |url=https://www.mff.se/spelare/niklas-moisander/ |access-date=2022-08-19 |website=Malmö FF |language=sv-SE}}</ref>
On 28 September 2023, Moisander extended his contract with Malmö, signing a new deal until the end of 2024.<ref>{{cite news |title=Malmö FF förlänger med Niklas Moisander |url=https://www.mff.se/malmo-ff-forlanger-med-niklas-moisander-2/ |access-date=28 September 2023 |work=Malmö FF |date=28 September 2023 |language=sv}}</ref><ref>[https://www.sportti.com/uutinen.asp?CAT=3-2&ID=528150 Huuhkajien ex-kapteenin ura on ohi], sportti.com, 6 December 2024</ref>
On 6 December 2024, after the 2024 Allsvenskan, Moisander announced his retirement from professional football.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mff.se/nyheter/niklas-moisander-avslutar-fotbollskarriaren-2024-12-06/ |title=Niklas Moisander avslutar fotbollskarriären |date=6 December 2024 |access-date=6 December 2024}}</ref>
==International career== [[File:Moisander niklas.jpg|thumb|upright|Moisander with the Finland national team in 2010]]
===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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mtv.fi/sport/futis/maajoukkue/uutiset.shtml/2013/11/1830707/mixu-julkaisi-joukkueen-pohjanpalo-ja-vayrynen-huuhkajiin|title=Mixu julkaisi joukkueen: Pohjanpalo ja Väyrynen Huuhkajiin |publisher=MTV|access-date=10 October 2009}}</ref> At age 19 he scored a goal for the Finland U-21 in Limassol, Cyprus, in a match against Slovakia on 10 February 2005.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.palloliitto.fi/uutiset/maajoukkueet/moisander-ja-korpela-vuoden-pelaajat|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111210734/http://www.palloliitto.fi/uutiset/maajoukkueet/moisander-ja-korpela-vuoden-pelaajat|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 November 2013|title=Moisander ja Korpela Vuoden pelaajat|publisher=Palloliitto|access-date=10 October 2009}}</ref>
===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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://yle.fi/urheilu/suomella_pari_maalipaikkaa_baxter_piti_toisen_puoliajan_esityksesta/5700763|title=Suomella pari maalipaikkaa, Baxter piti toisen puoliajan esityksestä |publisher=YLE Urheilu|access-date=30 May 2008}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/8286143.stm|title=Finland 2–1 Wales|publisher=BBC|date=10 October 2009 |access-date=10 October 2009}}</ref> 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 secured by the Russians, leading to their advancement in the tournament, with Finland therefore failing to qualify for the 2010 World Cup.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://yle.fi/urheilu/suomen_unelma_pirstaleiksi_-_venaja_voitti_3-0/5485564|title=Suomen unelma pirstaleiksi - Venäjä voitti 3-0 |publisher=YLE Urheilu|access-date=10 June 2009}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://yle.fi/urheilu/suomi_loi_walesin_ja_varmisti_kolmospaikan/5490304|title=Suomi löi Walesin ja varmisti kolmospaikan|publisher=YLE Urheilu|access-date=10 October 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140420061831/http://yle.fi/urheilu/suomi_loi_walesin_ja_varmisti_kolmospaikan/5490304|archive-date=20 April 2014}}</ref>
In 2011, under Mixu Paatelainen, Moisander gained the captain's armband from Petri Pasanen, becoming the new skipper for Finland. While playing a major role in the teams UEFA Euro 2012 ambitions, Finland finished fourth in its group behind the Netherlands, Sweden and Hungary, failing to qualify for the final tournament in Poland and Ukraine.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/news/0253-0d7edaadc84b-af73b627f018-1000--finnish-awards-for-impressive-trio/ |title=Finnish awards for impressive trio |date=13 November 2012 |publisher=UEFA|access-date=19 November 2013}}</ref>
The 2014 World Cup qualification process ended in a third-place group stage finish for Finland behind both Spain and France, which both secured placement in the final tournament.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sports.ndtv.com/football/news/215561-world-cup-qualifiers-france-tackle-finland-with-eye-on-winning-hearts |title=World Cup qualifiers: France tackle Finland with eye on winning hearts |publisher=ND TV|access-date=19 November 2013}}</ref> One of the most memorable matches of the qualification was a 1–1 draw against the reigning world and European champions Spain in March 2013 in Gijón; Moisander played full 90 minutes in the match.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://yle.fi/urheilu/suomi_venyi_ikimuistoiseen_tasapeliin_espanjassa/6551362 |title=Suomi venyi ikimuistoiseen tasapeliin Espanjassa |date= 22 March 2013 |access-date=3 January 2015|publisher=YLE Urheilu|language=fi}}</ref> Moisander scored his second goal for the national team on 14 August 2013 on his old home turf Veritas Stadion in Turku in a match against Slovenia when he took Finland on a 1–0 lead in a 2–0 victory.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://yle.fi/urheilu/3-6777809 | title = Turkulaiset osuivat kotiyleisönsä edessä – Suomi kaatoi Slovenian | trans-title=Local players scored in front of home audience - Finland wins Slovenia | language = fi | publisher = Yle | date = 14 August 2013 | access-date = 14 April 2019}}</ref>
In November 2017, Moisander announced his retirement from international duty.<ref name="werder.de"/>
==Personal life== Niklas is the twin brother of Henrik, a former professional football player as well who played as a goalkeeper.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thebesteleven.com/2013/05/soccer-twins.html |title=Soccer Twins |publisher=The Best Eleven|access-date=19 November 2013}}</ref>
==Career statistics==
===Club=== {{updated|6 December 2024}}<ref name="sw"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Niklas Moisander » Club matches|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe2871/niklas-moisander/club-matches/|website=worldfootball.net|access-date=19 February 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=N. Moisander - Carrière|url=https://www.vi.nl/spelers/niklas-moisander/carriere|website=Voetbal International|access-date=19 February 2018|language=nl}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |- !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|Cup !colspan="2"|Continental{{efn|Includes UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League matches.}} !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="3"|TPS |2002 |Ykkönen |8||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||8||0 |- |2003 |Veikkausliiga |9||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||9||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !17!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!17!!0 |- |rowspan="3"|Ajax |2004–05 |Eredivisie |0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0 |- |2005–06 |Eredivisie |0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0 |- |rowspan="3"|PEC Zwolle |2006–07 |Eerste Divisie |34||1||1||0||colspan="2"|—||2{{efn|name=ep|Appearance in Eredivisie playoffs}}||0||37||1 |- |2007–08 |Eerste Divisie |37||4||4||0||colspan="2"|—||5{{efn|name=ep}}||0||46||4 |- !colspan="2"|Total !71!!5!!5!!0!!0!!0!!7!!0!!83!!5 |- |rowspan="6"|AZ Alkmaar |2008–09 |Eredivisie |22||1||2||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||24||1 |- |2009–10 |Eredivisie |28||1||3||0||5||0||1{{efn|name=jcs|Appearance in Johan Cruyff Shield}}||0||37||1 |- |2010–11 |Eredivisie |29||0||3||0||8||0||0||0||40||0 |- |2011–12 |Eredivisie |30||1||5||1||14||1||0||0||49||3 |- |2012–13 |Eredivisie |2||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||2||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !111!!3!!13!!1!!27!!1!!1!!0!!152!!5 |- |rowspan="4"|Ajax |2012–13 |Eredivisie |29||4||4||0||8||2||0||0||41||6 |- |2013–14 |Eredivisie |23||1||4||0||5||0||1{{efn|name=jcs}}||0||33||1 |- |2014–15 |Eredivisie |25||0||0||0||5||0||1{{efn|name=jcs}}||0||31||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !77!!5!!8!!0!!18!!2!!2!!0!!105!!7 |- |Sampdoria |2015–16 |Serie A |22||0||1||0||0||0||0||0||23||0 |- |rowspan="6"|Werder Bremen |2016–17 |Bundesliga |30||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||31||0 |- |2017–18 |Bundesliga |25||2||3||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||28||2 |- |2018–19 |Bundesliga |30||0||4||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||34||0 |- |2019–20 |Bundesliga |22||0||3||1||colspan="2"|—||1{{efn|Appearance in Bundesliga relegation playoffs}}||0||26||1 |- |2020–21 |Bundesliga |18||0||5||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||23||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !125!!2!!16!!1!!0!!0!!1!!0!!142!!3 |- |rowspan="5"|Malmö FF |2021 |Allsvenskan |9||0||0||0||8||0||colspan="2"|—||17||0 |- |2022 |Allsvenskan |8||0||4||0||9||1||colspan="2"|—||21||1 |- |2023 |Allsvenskan |10||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||10||0 |- |2024 |Allsvenskan |2||0||0||0||0||0||colspan=2|–||2||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !29!!0!!4!!0!!17!!1!!0!!0!!50!!1 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !452!!15!!47!!2!!62!!4!!11!!0!!572!!21 |}
{{notelist}}
===International=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+ Appearances and goals by national team and year<ref>{{NFT|26352|accessdate=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Niklas Moisander|url=https://www.palloliitto.fi/maajoukkueet/miesten-maajoukkue/pelaajat/niklas-moisander|website=Suomen Palloliitto|access-date=25 September 2017|language=fi}}</ref> |- !National team !Year||Apps||Goals |- | rowspan="10“" |Finland |2008||2||0 |- |2009||5||1 |- |2010||4||0 |- |2011||6||0 |- |2012||2||0 |- |2013||4||1 |- |2014||4||0 |- |2015||3||0 |- |2016||3||0 |- |2017||4||0 |- ! colspan="2" |Total||62||2 |}
:''Scores and results list Finland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Moisander goal''.<ref name="Palloliitto">{{cite web | url = http://www.palloliitto.fi/maajoukkueet/miesten_a-maajoukkue/pelaajat/moisander_niklas/ | title = Niklas Moisander | language = fi | access-date = 19 August 2011 | publisher = Suomen Palloliitto (Football Association of Finland) | archive-date = 26 October 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111026122336/http://www.palloliitto.fi/maajoukkueet/miesten_a-maajoukkue/pelaajat/moisander_niklas/ | url-status = dead }}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable" |+ List of international goals scored by Niklas Moisander |- !scope="col"|No. !scope="col"|Date !scope="col"|Venue !scope="col"|Opponent !scope="col"|Score !scope="col"|Result !scope="col"|Competition |- | align="center"|1 || 10 October 2009 || Helsinki Olympic Stadium, Helsinki, Finland || {{fb|WAL}} || align="center"|2–1 || align="center"|2–1 || 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification |- | align="center"|2 || 14 August 2013 || Veritas Stadion, Turku, Finland || {{fb|Slovenia}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|2–0 || Friendly |}
==Honours== '''AZ''' *Eredivisie: 2008–09<ref name="ere2009"/> *Johan Cruijff Shield: 2009<ref name="jcs2009"/>
'''Ajax''' *Eredivisie: 2012–13,<ref name="ere2013"/> 2013–14 *Johan Cruijff Shield: 2013
'''Malmö FF''' * Allsvenskan: 2021, 2023, 2024 * Svenska Cupen: 2021–22 '''Individual''' *Finnish Defence Forces Conscript Athlete of the year: 2009<ref>{{cite news|url=http://yle.fi/uutiset/niklas_moisander_on_vuoden_2009_varusmiesurheilija/5495206|title=Niklas Moisander on Vuoden 2009 varusmiesurheilija|date= 22 January 2010 |access-date=14 February 2015|publisher=YLE|language=fi}}</ref> *Finnish Football Association Player of the Year: 2012,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.palloliitto.fi/uutiset/vuoden-parhaita-palkittiin-captains-ball-gaalassa |title=Vuoden parhaita palkittiin Captain's Ball –gaalassa |access-date=12 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303230304/http://www.palloliitto.fi/uutiset/vuoden-parhaita-palkittiin-captains-ball-gaalassa |archive-date=3 March 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> 2013<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ajaxshowtime.com/bijzaken-en-geruchten/74802/moisander-speler-van-het-jaar-in-finland.html |title=Moisander Speler van het Jaar in Finland - Ajax Showtime |website=www.ajaxshowtime.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112105630/http://www.ajaxshowtime.com/bijzaken-en-geruchten/74802/moisander-speler-van-het-jaar-in-finland.html |archive-date=2013-11-12}} </ref> *Finnish Sports’ Journalists Player of the Year: 2012,<ref>[http://www.veikkausliiga.com/News.aspx?type=1&ID=50179 Hyypiä ja Moisander palkittiin] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222062735/http://www.veikkausliiga.com/News.aspx?type=1&ID=50179 |date=22 February 2014 }}</ref> 2013<ref>[http://www.veikkausliiga.com/News.aspx?type=&ID=54024 Moisander urheilutoimittajien valinta vuoden jalkapalloilijaksi]</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category}} {{portal|Biography|Association football|Finland}} * [https://www.werder.de/en/teams/team-squad/player/niklas-moisander/ Werder Bremen official profile] {{in lang|de}} * [https://www.palloliitto.fi/niklas-moisander Niklas Moisander] – SPL competition record * {{UEFA player|57033}} * {{FIFA player|300144}} * [https://www.vi.nl/spelers/niklas-moisander/profiel Niklas Moisander] at ''Voetbal International'' {{in lang|nl}} * {{ESPN FC|35887<!-- /niklas-moisander -->}}
{{Finnish Footballer of the Year}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Moisander, Niklas}} Category:1985 births Category:Living people Category:Finnish men's footballers Category:21st-century Finnish sportsmen Category:Finland men's international footballers Category:Finland men's under-21 international footballers Category:Men's association football defenders Category:Turun Palloseura footballers Category:AFC Ajax players Category:Jong Ajax players Category:PEC Zwolle players Category:AZ Alkmaar players Category:UC Sampdoria players Category:SV Werder Bremen players Category:Malmö FF players Category:Veikkausliiga players Category:Eredivisie players Category:Eerste Divisie players Category:Serie A players Category:Bundesliga players Category:Allsvenskan players Category:Footballers from Turku Category:Finnish twins Category:Finnish expatriate men's footballers Category:Finnish expatriate sportspeople in the Netherlands Category:Expatriate men's footballers in the Netherlands Category:Finnish expatriate sportspeople in Italy Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Italy Category:Finnish expatriate sportspeople in Germany Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Germany Category:Finnish expatriate sportspeople in Sweden Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Sweden