Finn Linder

Finn Linder

Personal information
Date of birth	(2004-05-06) May 6, 2004 (age 21)
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 played youth soccer with the Calgary Blizzard SC. ^{[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] [6]}

Club career

In March 2022, Linder signed a professional contract with Whitecaps FC 2 in MLS Next Pro. ^[7] On June 12, 2022, he scored his first professional goal in a 2-2 draw against the Tacoma Defiance. ^[8] At the end of the 2022 season, the club picked up his option for the 2023 season. ^[9] After the 2023 season, he signed an extension for the 2024 season. ^[10] In 2024, he signed three short-term loans with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC first team. ^{[11] [12] [13]} He played against Ryan Reynolds Wrexham AFC in Vancouver and on August 3, 2024, he made his first team debut in a 2024 Leagues Cup match against Mexican side Tijuana. ^[14] After the 2024 season, his option was picked up for 2025. ^[15]

In January 2026, he signed with Canadian Premier League club HFX Wanderers FC for the 2026 season, with options for 2027 and 2028. ^[16]

International Career

Born in Canada, Linder is also eligible to represent New Zealand at international level.

In March 2023, he was called up to the New Zealand U23 squad for a friendly series against China U23. ^[17] In May 2023, he was named to the New Zealand U20 squad for the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup. ^[18] He made his debut for the U20s on May 26, in the final group stage match against Argentina U20. ^{[19] [20]}

Career statistics

As of October 12, 2024 ^[21]

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
	2024		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	0	1	0
Career total			44	2	1	0	0	0	1	0	46	2

References

1. 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. Healey, Josh (January 12, 2026). "Sources: Defender Finn Linder set to sign for Wanderers". HFX Football Post.
7. "WFC2 add five teenagers from Whitecaps FC BMO Academy". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. 16 March 2022.
8. Pereira, Sebastian (June 12, 2022). "WFC2 battle to 2-2 draw against Cascadia rivals Tacoma Defiance, fall 4-2 in shootout". Vancouver Whitecaps FC .
9. "Whitecaps FC 2 announce end of season roster decisions". Vancouver Whitecaps FC . November 18, 2022.
10. "Whitecaps FC roster updates from first team and WFC2". Vancouver Whitecaps FC . November 17, 2023.
11. "Six WFC2 players signed to MLS short-term agreements". Vancouver Whitecaps FC . July 26, 2024.
12. "Whitecaps FC sign WFC2 defender Finn Linder and midfielder Eliot Goldthorp to second MLS short-term agreements". Vancouver Whitecaps FC . August 2, 2024.
13. "Whitecaps FC sign WFC2 defender Finn Linder to third MLS short-term agreement". Vancouver Whitecaps FC . August 6, 2024.
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. "Wanderers sign former Whitecaps defender Finn Linder". HFX Wanderers FC . 14 January 2026.
17. "Linder, Herdman called up to New Zealand U-23 national team". Vancouver Whitecaps FC . 1 March 2023.
18. "Linder and Herdman named to New Zealand's FIFA U-20 World Cup roster". Vancouver Whitecaps FC . May 2, 2023.
19. "U-20s defeated by hosts Argentina". New Zealand Football . 27 May 2023.
20. Robinson, Nick (29 May 2023). "Aotearoa at the 2023 men's U20 World Cup: Compelte fustigation vs Argentina". The Niche Cache.
21. Finn Linder at Soccerway