Niels Hartman

Niels Hartman
Personal information
Full name Niels Mark Pieter Hartman
Date of birth (2001-01-17) 17 January 2001
Place of birth Schoonhoven, Netherlands
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Positions
Youth career
2010–2013 Unión Estepona
2013 San Roque
2013–2017 Taraguilla
2017–2020 Algeciras
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2023–2025 Vermont Catamounts 52 (3)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2020–2021 Loughborough University 2 (0)
2021–2022 Lynx 5 (0)
2021 → VV HSC (loan) 5 (0)
2022–2023 Loughborough Students 20 (3)
2024 Ventura County Fusion 0 (0)
2026 Mons Calpe 3 (0)
International career‡
2023– Gibraltar 7 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 4 March 2026
‡ National team caps and goals as of 26 March 2024

Niels Mark Pieter Hartman (born 17 January 2001) is a footballer who plays as a defender or midfielder, most recently for Mons Calpe. Born in the Netherlands, he represents Gibraltar at international level.[1][2]

Club career

Having moved to Gibraltar as a child due to his parents relocating for work, Hartman spent his youth playing at a number of Spanish youth teams, most notably Unión Estepona and Algeciras.[3][4] In 2020 he moved to the United Kingdom to study mechanical engineering at Loughborough University, where he also played for their football team, however, the COVID-19 pandemic caused him to pause his studies and return to Gibraltar.[5] Upon his return, he completed the 2020–21 season at Lynx, before spending six months on an internship in the Netherlands, during which time he spent three months in the summer playing for local side VV HSC.[6] In October 2021, he returned to Lynx for the start of the 2021–22 season.

Upon the resumption of his studies, he re-joined Loughborough Students in summer 2022. After three goals in 20 appearances during a league campaign which saw the Scholars finish third in the United Counties League Premier North,[7] he moved to the United States to play college soccer for the University of Vermont's side Vermont Catamounts. He played 20 games in his first season, scoring once.

In May 2024 he moved across the States to California to join USL League Two side Ventura County Fusion on a short term deal during the NCAA off-season, but did not make an appearance before returning to Vermont to complete his studies.[8] In his second season with Vermont, he played another 20 games, scoring once as the Catamounts won the NCAA College Championship for the first time in their history. After one more season in Vermont, which saw another conference title despite being defeated in the College Championship, Hartman returned to Gibraltar in January 2026 to join Mons Calpe.

International career

Born in the Netherlands and raised in Gibraltar, Hartman was eligible to represent Gibraltar or the Netherlands. Upon receiving his British Overseas Territory passport, he made his international debut for Gibraltar against his birth country on 27 March 2023, appearing as a late substitute in a 3–0 defeat at De Kuip, just 30 kilometres away from his place of birth.[9]

Career statistics

As of match played 14 March 2026
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Loughborough University 2020–21 United Counties League Premier Division North 200000—0020
Lynx 2020–21 Gibraltar National League 2010——0030
2021–22 3000——0030
Total 5010——0060
VV HSC (loan) 2021–22 Derde Klasse 5000——0050
Loughborough Students 2022–23 United Counties League Premier Division North 2030000—00203
Vermont Catamounts 2023 NCAA Division I 201————201
2024 201————201
2025 121————121
Total 523————523
Ventura County Fusion 2024 USL League Two 0000———00
Mons Calpe 2025–26 Gibraltar Football League 3030——0060
Career total 87640000000916

International

As of 26 March 2024
Gibraltar
YearAppsGoals
202350
202420
Total70

Honours

Vermont Catamounts

Personal life

His sister, Iris, plays for the Gibraltar national netball team.[10]

References

  1. ↑ "Wie is Niels Hartman, de Nederlander die tegen Oranje kan debuteren bij Gibraltar?" (in Dutch). sportnieuws.nl. 26 March 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  2. ↑ "Deze Nederlander kan debuteren tégen Oranje: 'Misschien shirtje ruilen zonder dat van mij te geven'". ad.nl (Archived).{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  3. ↑ "Niels Hartman (22), met een opa en oma in Groningen, staat maandag als international van Gibraltar tegenover Oranje. 'Ik realiseer me nog niet goed wat ik allemaal meemaak'" (in Dutch). dvhn.nl. 26 March 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  4. ↑ Niels Hartman LaPreferente. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  5. ↑ "Hartman staat met Gibraltar voor droomdebuut in De Kuip: 'Zing beide volksliederen mee'" (in Dutch). nos.nl. 26 March 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  6. ↑ "Oud-HSC'er Niels Hartman voetbalt maandag met Gibraltar tegen Oranje: 'Het is echt een jongensdroom'" (in Dutch). rtvnoord.nl. 26 March 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  7. ↑ Loughborough Students 2022–23 FA Full-Time. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  8. ↑ Thrilled to announce the first round of new signings from the NCAA Division 1 powerhouse Vermont University! Ventura County Fusion. 3 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  9. ↑ Netherlands vs Gibraltar UEFA.com. 27 March 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  10. ↑ Niels Hartman – Men's Soccer University of Vermont Athletics. Retrieved 31 July 2023.