Michael Woud

Michael Woud
Michael Cornelis Woud (born 16 January 1999) is a New Zealand professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for J2 League club, Ventforet Kofu, on loan from Kyoto Sanga and the New Zealand national football team.
Club career
Sunderland
Woud first signed a contract to play for Sunderland, but only played for their academy teams. After the contract termination of fellow goalkeeper Mika, Woud acted for a short time as third-choice goalkeeper at the club; following Sunderland's relegation to League One, Woud was one of four goalkeepers training with the first team.
Willem II
On 14 July 2018, with a year remaining on his Sunderland contract, Woud signed a two-year deal with Willem II in the Eredivisie for an undisclosed fee.
Woud made his professional debut on 30 March 2019, in a 3–2 win against Fortuna Sittard.
On 1 July 2020, Woud moved to Eerste Divisie club, Almere City, on a 1-year loan. On 26 January 2021, the loan was made permanent, with Woud signing a deal until June 2024.
Kyoto Sanga
On 4 January 2022, Woud signed with Kyoto Sanga in Japan.
Ventforet Kofu (loan)
On 16 August 2023, Woud signs for Ventforet Kofu on loan transfer for the remainder of 2023 J2 League season.
International career
Woud competed for New Zealand in both the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup and the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup, starring in the latter, but being knocked out in the round of 16 on both occasions. He received his first callup to the New Zealand senior team for a friendly against Japan in October 2017, and made his first appearance in the 2018 Intercontinental Cup in a 2–1 win over India.
Woud remains eligible for both New Zealand and the Netherlands. In August 2018, Woud was called up to the Netherlands under-20 national team for a friendly against Portugal; however, he rejected this offer in order to further his national career with New Zealand.
Woud played for the New Zealand under-20 football team in the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup. In the round of 16 following a 1–1 draw with Colombia after extra time, Woud made 3 straight saves in the penalty shootout. However, following the third save, the referee ruled that he moved off his line too early and ordered a retake. Colombia went on to win the penalty shootout and advance to the next round.
Woud was called up to play for the New Zealand under-23 football team at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Playing in all three pool games, Woud helped the team pickup their first win at the Olympics as well as qualify for the first time to the knockout stage.
Honours
New Zealand U17
OFC U-17 Championship: 2015
New Zealand U20
OFC U-20 Championship: 2016
Individual
Golden Gloves: 2016 OFC U-20 Championship
References
External links
Michael Woud's profile on Sunderland website.
1999 births
New Zealand people of Dutch descent
Living people
New Zealand men's association footballers
New Zealand men's international footballers
New Zealand men's youth international footballers
Men's association football goalkeepers
Willem II (football club) players
Almere City FC players
Kyoto Sanga FC players
Eredivisie players
Eerste Divisie players
Footballers at the 2020 Summer Olympics
Olympic association footballers for New Zealand
New Zealand expatriate men's association footballers
Expatriate men's footballers in England
New Zealand expatriate sportspeople in England
Expatriate men's footballers in the Netherlands
New Zealand expatriate sportspeople in the Netherlands
Expatriate men's footballers in Japan
New Zealand expatriate sportspeople in Japan
New Zealand men's under-20 international footballers