N. Pijnaker

Season	Club	Apps	G	A	Match	RTG	Season
2025/26	Auckland · 3rd	17	0	0	6.8	15	13
2024/25	Auckland	27	4	0	7.16	—	—
2024/25	Sligo Rovers	14	0	1	7	—	—
2023/24	Sligo Rovers	32	0	0	6.68	—	—
2022/23	Sligo Rovers	31	1	0	—	—	—
2021/22	FC HelsingorLoan	1	0	0	—	—	—

Domestic-league totals per season. RTG = Field Insider Rating (potential / ceiling); Season = age-blind form that year. 2 earlier seasons and 1 youth-team spell in the full career.

New Zealand · international

Side	Apps	G
New Zealand	53	4
New Zealand U23	4	0
New Zealand U20	4	0

Career caps & goals — tournament breakdown in the full career.

Scout report

Squad depthCentral defender

N. Pijnaker is a 27-year-old central defender at Auckland, rated 14.7 overall by Field Insider's model, ranking 116th of 184 on scout potential in the A-League. In his prime years, he has been a rotation option this season (43% of available minutes). His defensive output reads 2.6 tackles, blocks and interceptions per 90. Below: strengths, watch-points, market-value outlook and the latest transfer news on Pijnaker.

Judged on this season alone, Pijnaker graded 13 — a workmanlike campaign that ranks 31st of 39 of the 39 centre-backs in the A-League, on 3 clean sheets and 2.603 defensive actions per 90.

We hold a single season for Pijnaker, so there's no year-on-year comparison to draw yet — the read above is this campaign only.

On long-term talent our Rating reads 15, 18th of 39 of the 39 centre-backs in the A-League. At 27 Pijnaker is in his prime years, and a market index of 0.8 reflects that trajectory.

Current potential18th of 39 centre-backs · A-League Current season31st of 39 centre-backs · A-League31st-best centre-back in the A-League116th in the A-League · potential18th-highest potential centre-back in the A-League

14.7

Ratingi

18th of 39 centre-backs

12.7

Seasoni

below regular-starter level

43%

Minutes

rotation minutes

2.6

Def. actions / 90

moderate defensive volume

Output in context · Auckland finished 3rd of 12 · an upper-table side

2.6

Def. / 90

Tackles

Interceptions

Clean sheets

2.6 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90 — moderate defensive volume, with 3 clean sheets across 17 appearances. Behind an upper-table side (3rd of 12) the side controls more games, so the defensive load is lighter — the value sits as much in composure and ball progression as in raw volume.

Watch points

Game time. Only 43% of available minutes — needs a settled run to prove the level.
Level. Rates below a nailed-on top-tier starter on our model.

Outlook

With a Rating of 14.7, Pijnaker carries the 18th-highest potential of the centre-backs in the A-League of 39. Defensively he reads as moderate defensive volume (2.6 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90). In the prime window — at or near peak market value, so the next two seasons are the ones to cash in or build around.

Generated from Field Insider's rating model · AI-written analysis to follow.

Per 90 & availability

Minutes played %43%

Available fixtures25 of 30

Goals / 900

Assists / 900

Goal contribution / 900

Defensive actions / 902.603

Player flow

Goal involvements0

Shot conversion %0

Shot accuracy %33.3

Pass accuracy %76

Dribble success %66.7

Cards / 900.093

Foul involvement / 901.302

Value & potential by age

Market valueRating

Solid = now · dashed = projected

The gold line is market value — an index (not €) blending rating, age and league. It climbs through the early 20s, peaks around ages 23–27 (~1), then tapers with age. At 27, Pijnaker sits on 0.8, at or near its peak. The blue line is Pijnaker's projected Rating — 14.7 today — recomputed at each age, so it follows the same rise-and-fall as a career matures and declines. Solid = up to today; dashed = projected.

Season statistics

Bars = where he ranks among centre-backs in the A-League with 600+ minutes this season.

Shooting

Goals0

Shots on target2

Shots6

Passing

Assists0

Pass accuracy76%

Possession

Successful dribbles2

Dribble success66.7%

Fouls won1

Defending

Tackles8

Interceptions11

Blocks9

Fouls committed13

Yellow/red cards

Yellow cards1

Red cards0

Transfer history

AucklandSept 2024 – now

Sligo Roversuntil Sept 2024

Rio Ave(back from loan)Dec 2022 – Sept 2024

Sligo RoversJan 2023 – Dec 2022

Sligo Rovers(on loan)Feb 2022 – Jan 2023

FC Helsingor(on loan)Sept 2021 – Feb 2022

Rio AveAug 2020 – Sept 2021

Grasshoppersuntil Aug 2020

About N. Pijnaker

N. Pijnaker is a 27-year-old centre-back who plays for Auckland, born on February 25, 1999 in Brummen, standing 191 cm tall. He is from New Zealand. Auckland currently sit 3rd of 12 in the A-League.

This season

In the current season, N. Pijnaker has made 17 appearances with 0 goals and 0 assists across 968 minutes, with 1 yellow card.

Field Insider's view

Field Insider currently rates N. Pijnaker at 14.7 with a Season form score of 12.7, ranking 116th of 184 centre-backs in the A-League. See the full scout report for strengths, watch-points and the market-value outlook.

His honours include 1 career title — among them the Premiership. Full list in the career record.

Career

Across 8 recorded seasons, N. Pijnaker has totalled 151 club appearances with 6 goals and 1 assist for 6 different clubs. His busiest campaign came in 2023/24, with 32 appearances for Sligo Rovers.

N. Pijnaker's career has also included time at Sligo Rovers, Rio Ave, FC Helsingor and Grasshoppers.

On the international stage, N. Pijnaker has represented New Zealand, New Zealand U23, New Zealand U20 — 61 caps and 4 goals in our records.

Transfer news

No transfer news found for this player.

Profile

Season stats

Performance data · by competition

Career

Scout report

Output in context · Auckland finished 3rd of 12 · an upper-table side

Watch points