{{Short description|Danish-French footballer (born 2005)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2023}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Theo Sander | image = | upright = | caption = | full_name = Theo Nicolini Sander<ref name="nj1">{{cite news |last1=Jensen |first1=Nikita Fjorback |last2=Hansen |first2=Torben |title=Store tilbud frister 16-årige Theo, men han vil heller ikke gå glip af ungdomslivet |url=https://nordjyske.dk/nyheder/nordjylland/store-tilbud-frister-16-aarige-theo-men-han-vil-heller-ikke-gaa-glip-af-ungdomslivet/a79ca222-3724-4940-ab49-cea12096e527 |access-date=31 October 2022 |work=Nordjyske |date=7 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220130211034/https://nordjyske.dk/nyheder/nordjylland/store-tilbud-frister-16-aarige-theo-men-han-vil-heller-ikke-gaa-glip-af-ungdomslivet/a79ca222-3724-4940-ab49-cea12096e527 |archive-date=30 January 2022 |language=da}}</ref> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|2005|01|08|df=y}} | birth_place = Skørping, Denmark<ref name="nj2">{{cite news |last1=Ørkild |first1=Kasper |title=Storklub så talent an: Derfor fravalgte Theo udlandet for AaB |url=https://nordjyske.dk/nyheder/sport/storklub-saa-talent-an-derfor-fravalgte-theo-udlandet-for-aab/c73f7850-3efa-4493-9e8a-c4c3c704e6e5 |access-date=31 October 2022 |work=Nordjyske |date=17 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805023705/https://nordjyske.dk/nyheder/sport/storklub-saa-talent-an-derfor-fravalgte-theo-udlandet-for-aab/c73f7850-3efa-4493-9e8a-c4c3c704e6e5 |archive-date=5 August 2022 |language=da}}</ref> | height = 1.92 m | position = Goalkeeper | currentclub = OB (on loan from Copenhagen) | clubnumber = 30 | youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = IF Frem Skørping | youthyears2 = | youthclubs2 = Støvring IF | youthyears3 = | youthclubs3 = Gug Boldklub | youthyears4 = 2017–2023 | youthclubs4 = AaB | years1 = 2021–2023 | clubs1 = AaB | caps1 = 14 | goals1 = 0 | years2 = 2023– | clubs2 = Copenhagen | caps2 = 4 | goals2 = 0 | years3 = 2025 | clubs3 = → Hvidovre (loan) | caps3 = 13 | goals3 = 0 | years4 = 2025– | clubs4 = → OB (loan) | caps4 = 7 | goals4 = 0 | nationalyears1 = 2020 | nationalteam1 = Denmark U16 | nationalcaps1 = 1 | nationalgoals1 = 0 | nationalyears2 = 2021–2022 | nationalteam2 = Denmark U17 | nationalcaps2 = 11 | nationalgoals2 = 0 | nationalyears3 = 2022 | nationalteam3 = Denmark U18 | nationalcaps3 = 3 | nationalgoals3 = 0 | nationalyears4 = 2023 | nationalteam4 = Denmark U19 | nationalcaps4 = 7 | nationalgoals4 = 0 | nationalyears5 = 2024 | nationalteam5 = Denmark U20 | nationalcaps5 = 1 | nationalgoals5 = 0 | nationalyears6 = 2025– | nationalteam6 = Denmark U21 | nationalcaps6 = 7 | nationalgoals6 = 0 | club-update = 19 May 2026 | nationalteam-update = 01:49, 2 April 2026 (UTC) }}
'''Theo Nicolini Sander''' (born 8 January 2005) is a Danish professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Danish Superliga club OB, on loan from Copenhagen.
==Career== ===AaB=== As a youth player, Sander played for a local clubs, before joining AaB in 2017 at the age of 12.<ref name="aab1">{{cite web |title=AaB i dialog med flere klubber om Theo Sander |url=https://aabsport.dk/nyheder/2021/januar/aab-i-dialog-med-flere-klubber-om-theo-sander/ |website=AaB |access-date=31 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518105249/https://aabsport.dk/nyheder/2021/januar/aab-i-dialog-med-flere-klubber-om-theo-sander/ |archive-date=18 May 2021 |language=da |date=19 January 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> Possessing a physique suited for the goalkeeping position, Sander impressed in various youth teams and attracted interest from some of Europe's major clubs. In January 2021, AaB confirmed that Sander had been on a trial with Italian giants Juventus. AaB stated that they were "in dialogue with several clubs about Theo Sander".<ref name="aab1" /> He would, however, end up staying at AaB. In April 2021, Sander was called up for his first professional game against Vejle Boldklub. However, he remained on the bench. In the 2021–22 season, Sander was on the bench for 14 Danish Superliga games.
In February 2022 AaB confirmed, that Sander had signed a new deal until June 2025.<ref>{{cite web |title=AaB forlænger med stortalent |url=https://aabsport.dk/nyheder/2022/februar/aab-forlaenger-med-stortalent/ |website=AaB |access-date=31 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220905190312/https://aabsport.dk/nyheder/2022/februar/aab-forlaenger-med-stortalent/ |archive-date=5 September 2022 |language=da |date=16 February 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> On 28 August 2022, 17-year old Sander made his official debut for AaB against Randers FC in the Superliga.<ref>{{cite web |title=Randers vs. AaB – 28 August 2022 |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2022/08/28/denmark/superliga/randers-fc/aalborg-bk/3795499/ |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=31 October 2022}}</ref> AaB lost the match 1–0 after a bad pass from Sander was intercepted by Filip Bundgaard.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Egelund |first1=Klaus |title=Debutmareridt i AaB-nedtur |url=https://ekstrabladet.dk/sport/fodbold/dansk_fodbold/superligaen/aab/debutmareridt-i-aab-nedtur/9401331 |access-date=31 October 2022 |work=Ekstra-Bladet |date=28 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220905190319/https://ekstrabladet.dk/sport/fodbold/dansk_fodbold/superligaen/aab/debutmareridt-i-aab-nedtur/9401331 |archive-date=5 September 2022 |language=da}}</ref> With his debut, Sander became the youngest goalkeeper in the Danish Superliga history.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bech |first1=Malthe Graungaard |title=17-årig AaB'er bliver yngste målmand i Superligaens historie |url=https://bold.dk/fodbold/stillinger/superligaen/nyheder/17-aarig-aaber-bliver-yngste-maalmand-i-superligaens-historie/ |access-date=31 October 2022 |work=bold.dk |date=28 August 2022 |language=da}}</ref>
===Copenhagen=== On 20 July 2023, after AaB suffered relegation to the second division, Sander joined Copenhagen, on a deal until June 2028.<ref>[https://www.fck.dk/nyhed/fck-koeber-theo-sander FCK KØBER THEO SANDER], fck.dk, 20 July 2023</ref> He made his competitive debut for the club on 18 August, replacing an injured Kamil Grabara as starter in goal, keeping a clean sheet in a 2–0 victory against Hvidovre.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hjort |first1=Alex Munk |title=Grabara helt ude af truppen: Blev skadet kort inde i Prag-kampen |url=https://bold.dk/fodbold/stillinger/superligaen/nyheder/grabara-helt-ude-af-truppen-blev-skadet-kort-inde-i-prag-kampen |access-date=23 May 2024 |work=bold.dk |date=18 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119054747/https://bold.dk/fodbold/stillinger/superligaen/nyheder/grabara-helt-ude-af-truppen-blev-skadet-kort-inde-i-prag-kampen |archive-date=19 November 2023 |language=da}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Hjort |first1=Alex Munk |title=Lykkelig Sander efter brandkamp: Jeg gjorde det godt |url=https://bold.dk/fodbold/stillinger/superligaen/nyheder/lykkelig-sander-efter-brandkamp-jeg-gjorde-det-godt |access-date=23 May 2024 |work=bold.dk |date=18 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204203122/https://bold.dk/fodbold/stillinger/superligaen/nyheder/lykkelig-sander-efter-brandkamp-jeg-gjorde-det-godt |archive-date=4 February 2024 |language=da}}</ref> In December 2023, Sander received surgery after suffering a knee injury, which kept him out for several months.<ref>{{cite news |title=FCK-keeper er ude flere måneder efter knæoperation |url=https://sport.tv2.dk/fodbold/2023-12-29-fck-keeper-er-ude-flere-maaneder-efter-knaeoperation |access-date=23 May 2024 |work=TV 2 Sport |date=29 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109174857/https://sport.tv2.dk/fodbold/2023-12-29-fck-keeper-er-ude-flere-maaneder-efter-knaeoperation |archive-date=9 January 2024 |language=da-DK}}</ref>
In search of more playing time, on February 3, 2025, on transfer deadline day, it was confirmed that Sander moved to Danish 1st Division club Hvidovre IF on a loan deal for the rest of the season.<ref>[https://www.hvidovrefodbold.dk/nyheder/ny-keeper-paa-plads/ Ny keeper på plads], hvidovrefodbold.dk, 3 February 2025</ref><ref>[https://www.fck.dk/nyhed/theo-sander-lejes-ud-til-hvidovre-if Theo Sander lejes ud til Hvidovre IF], fck.dk, 3 February 2025</ref> On 17 July 2025, Sander was once again loaned out, this time to Danish Superliga club OB until the end of the season, with a purchase option.<ref>[https://www.fck.dk/nyhed/theo-sander-lejes-ud-til-ob Theo Sander lejes ud til OB], fck.dk, 17 July 2025</ref><ref>[https://ob.dk/nyheder/2025/juli/theo-sander-er-stribet-i-den-kommende-saeson Theo Sander er stribet i den kommende sæson], ob.dk, 17 July 2025</ref>
==Personal life== Born in Denmark, Sander is of French and Danish descent.<ref name="nj1" />
==Career statistics== {{updated|match played 7 December 2024}}<ref name="SW">{{Soccerway|theo-sander/698204}}</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"|Danish Cup !colspan="2"|Europe !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |AaB |2022–23 |Danish Superliga |14||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||15||0 |- |rowspan="3"|Copenhagen |2023–24 |Danish Superliga |1||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||1||0 |- |2024–25 |Danish Superliga |3||0||1||0||1{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Conference League}}||0||colspan="2"|—||5||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !4!!0!!1!!0!!1!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!6!!0 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !18!!0!!2!!0!!1!!0!!0!!0!!21!!0 |}
{{notelist}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{DBU player}} * {{sports links}}
{{Odense Boldklub squad}} <!-- {{F.C. Copenhagen squad}} -->
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sander, Theo}} Category:2005 births Category:Living people Category:People from Rebild Municipality Category:Danish people of French descent Category:Danish men's footballers Category:Footballers from the North Jutland Region Category:Denmark men's youth international footballers Category:Men's association football goalkeepers Category:Danish Superliga players Category:AaB Fodbold players Category:F.C. Copenhagen players Category:Hvidovre IF players Category:Odense Boldklub players Category:21st-century Danish sportsmen