Nina Nijstad

Nina Nijstad
Personal information
Full name Nina Iyobosa Nekpen Nijstad
Date of birth (2003-03-05) 5 March 2003
Place of birth Leeuwarden, Netherlands
Height 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Portland Thorns
Number 20
Youth career
2011–2018 LAC Frisia 1883
2018–2021 Heerenveen
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021–2023 Heerenveen 48 (3)
2023–2026 PSV 65 (11)
2026– Portland Thorns 3 (0)
International career‡
2022 Netherlands U19 3 (0)
2022 Netherlands U20 6 (0)
2022– Netherlands U23 19 (3)
2024– Netherlands 4 (2)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 9 August 2026
‡ National team caps and goals as of 2 December 2025

Nina Iyobosa Nekpen Nijstad (Dutch: [ˈni.naː ˈnɛi̯.stɑt],[1] Edo: [ijɔ̀bɔ̀sà nɛ̀kpẽ̀]; born 5 March 2003) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Portland Thorns FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and the Netherlands national team.

Club career

Nijstad started her youth career with LAC Frisia 1883, before joining Heerenveen in 2018.[2] She made her professional debut for Heerenveen on 12 March 2021 in a 2–6 defeat to Twente.[3]

On 21 March 2023, PSV announced that Nijstad will join the club on 1 July 2023.[4] In April 2024, she extended her contract with the club until June 2028.[5]

On 7 July 2026, Nijstad joined National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) Portland Thorns, signing a four-year contract through 2029.[6]

International career

Formerly a Netherlands youth international, Nijstad represented the nation from under-19 level. She was part of the Dutch squad which finished fourth at the 2022 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.[7][8]

In March 2024, Nijstad received her first call-up to the Netherlands national team.[9] She made her international debut on 25 October 2024 by scoring two goals in a record breaking 15–0 win against Indonesia.[10][11]

Personal life

Nijstad was born in the Netherlands to a Nigerian father and a Dutch mother.[12] She is a fan of Real Madrid.[13]

Career statistics

International

As of match played 2 December 2025[14]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Netherlands 202422
202520
202600
Total42
Scores and results list Netherlands' goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Nijstad goal.
List of international goals scored by Nina Nijstad
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
125 October 2024De Vijverberg, Doetinchem, Netherlands Indonesia10–015–0Friendly
212–0

Honours

PSV

Individual

  • Eredivisie Cup top goalscorer: 2025–26[18]

References

  1. ↑ Portland Thorns (8 July 2026). "📲 POV you get a FaceTime from our new no. 2️⃣0️⃣". Instagram.
  2. ↑ "Aanvoerder SC Heerenveen Vrouwen: "Ik leer er veel van, dat is goed"". 28 February 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  3. ↑ "Nina Nijstad over droomstap naar PSV: "dit is waar je al die jaren zo hard voor hebt gewerkt"". 7 April 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  4. ↑ "Nijstad to PSV Women as of July 1". 21 March 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  5. ↑ "Nina Nijstad extends contract until mid-2028". 10 April 2024. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  6. ↑ "Portland Thorns Sign Dutch International Nina Nijstad". Portland Thorns FC. 7 July 2026. Retrieved 7 July 2026.
  7. ↑ "Definitieve selectie Vrouwen onder 20 voor WK 2022 bekend". 22 July 2022. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  8. ↑ "Oranje eindigt WK onder 20 als vierde na verlies tegen Brazilië". 29 August 2022. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  9. ↑ "Drie debutanten in Oranjeselectie (v) voor EK-kwalificatieduels". 26 March 2024. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  10. ↑ "Oranje Leeuwinnen vermorzelen Indonesië en boeken recordzege: 'Dit is niet het vrouwenvoetbal van nu'". 26 October 2024. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  11. ↑ "Oranjemiddenvelder mocht niet op voetballen, maar speelt nu bij Nederland en PSV". 29 November 2024. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  12. ↑ "Nina: 'Nigerian' out to stop Falconets". The Punch. 21 August 2022. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  13. ↑ "'I've made a lot of strides this season, as a football star and as a person'". 14 May 2024. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  14. ↑ Nina Nijstad at Soccerway
  15. ↑ "PSV Vrouwen doorbreekt hegemonie van FC Twente en Ajax met eerste landstitel in clubgeschiedenis". 9 May 2026. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  16. ↑ "PSV verslaat FC Twente nu wel en sluit seizoen af met Eredivisie Cup". 24 May 2025. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
  17. ↑ "PSV wint in eigen huis van Ajax en prolongeert Eredivisie Cup" (in Dutch). 29 May 2025. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  18. ↑ "Eredivisie Cup 2022/23". Retrieved 29 May 2026.
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