Wikipedia

Alexander Ring

Alexander Michael Ring(born 9 April 1991) is a Finnish professionalfootballerwho plays as amidfielderanddefenderforVeikkausliigaclubHJK Helsinki.

Alexander Ring
Ring with1. FC Kaiserslautern
Personal information
Full name Alexander Michael Ring
Date of birth (1991-04-09)9 April 1991(age 33)
Place of birth Helsinki,Finland
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[1]
Position(s) Midfielder,defender
Team information
Current team
 HJK
Youth career
1995–1998 VfL Lannesdorf
1998–2008 Bayer 04 Leverkusen
2001 Anderlecht
2009 HJK
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2010 Klubi-04 34 (9)
2010 →Tampere United(loan) 4 (1)
2010–2013 HJK 27 (2)
2012–2013 →Borussia Mönchengladbach(loan) 14 (0)
2013–2017 1. FC Kaiserslautern 76 (8)
2017–2020 New York City FC 114 (10)
2021–2024 Austin FC 127 (12)
2025– HJK 0 (0)
International career‡
Finland U17 6 (1)
2008 Finland U18 10 (0)
2009 Finland U19 7 (2)
2010 Finland U20 2 (1)
2011 Finland U21 3 (0)
2011–2018 Finland 44 (2)
Medal record
Finland national football team
Second place Baltic Cup 2012
Third place Baltic Cup 2014
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 03:07, 22 October 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 2 September 2017

Early life

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Ring was born in Finland and moved toBonn,Germany, with his family when aged three, and grew up there and in Belgium. Ring went through the ranks ofBayer 04 Leverkusenbefore returning to Finland with his family in 2008.

Club career

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HJK

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He signed for HJK's reserve teamKlubi-04in 2009, and represented them until being promoted to the first team, and signed full professional contract with the club in August 2010.[2]However, Ring was loaned out toTampere Unitedfor the rest of that season. He returned to HJK after the season, and was established as the first choice holding midfielder for HJK in early 2011. On 26 September 2011, he signed a contract extension with HJK, keeping him in the Finnish capital until 2015.[3]During December 2011, it was rumored that GermanBundesligasideBorussia Mönchengladbachwere interested in signing the young Finn for approximately €1 million.[4]

Borussia Mönchengladbach (loan)

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Ring withMönchengladbachin 2012

On 5 January 2012, it was announced that Mönchengladbach had signed Ring on loan until the summer 2013, with having an option to buy at the end of the season.[5]The estimated loan fee was reported to be €500,000.[6]On 10 March 2012, Ring made his Bundesliga debut for Mönchengladbach against Freiburg, and on 21 August Ring scored his first goal for Mönchengladbach in a 3–1 defeat to UkrainianDynamo Kyivin the first leg of2012–13 UEFA Champions League's playoff-round.[7]However, despite some encouraging displays for the club, Ring soon fell out of favour, and in February 2013 it was announced that Borussia would not use their option to buy the player.[8]

1. FC Kaiserslautern

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In June 2013, he signed a contract with1. FC Kaiserslauternto play in2. Bundesliga.[9][10]The clubs did not publish the transfer fee, but according to newspapers Kaiserslautern paid HJK Helsinki €500,000.[11]After an encouraging start, and the club sacking of the first team coachFranco Fodain September 2013, he struggled to keep his position in the side. However, he was picked for the opening line-up in the cup games versus bothBayer LeverkusenandBayern München.He scored his first goal for the club in August 2014 versusSV Sandhausen.[12]Despite a lengthy lay-off due to a knee injury in the home game versusFortuna Düsseldorf,[13]the season2014–15turned out to be his best in Germany, with six goals in 24 league games. During the following seasons, Ring's performances were marred by minor injuries and constant head coach changes, that hindered his progress. In January 2017 the economically ailing club decided to let him move on before his contract would have expired.

New York City FC

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Ring was purchased from Kaiserslautern byMajor League Soccer(MLS) franchiseNew York City FCon 31 January 2017 for a reported fee of €300,000.[14][15]Ring made himself an invaluable part of New York City's midfield during the 2017 season as he earned 29 appearances in the regular season. Despite New York City losing theEastern Conference semifinalsversusColumbus Crew,Ring's first season in MLS was a major personal success as he was elected the club's Newcomer of the Year.[16]He scored his first MLS goal on 15 April 2018, vs.Atlanta United FC.[17]On 7 February 2019, Ring was named the second captain in New York City FC's history,[18]afterDavid Villa's departure toVissel Kobein December.

Austin FC

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On 17 December 2020, Ring was traded to new expansion franchiseAustin FCin exchange for up to $1.25 million inGeneral Allocation Money.[19]He was subsequently selected as thecaptainof the team prior to Austin FC's first league match. On 3 January 2022, Ring signed a new contract with Austin, which also made him aDesignated Player.[20]He was stripped of the captaincy in February 2023. The club didn't announce a reason behind the decision.[21]On 17 May 2023, during his seventh season inMLS,Ring reached the 200 league game appearance milestone.[22]

On 17 November 2023, it was announced that Austin had exercised their option and his contract was extended for the2024 season.[23]

Ring was reinstated as the club captain during the latter part of the 2024 MLS season. On 5 November 2024 Austin announced that it had declined Ring's contract option, and he became a free agent.[24]

HJK Helsinki

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On 5 February 2025, Ring returned to Finland and signed a two-year deal with his former clubHJK Helsinki,making his return after spending 13 years abroad.[25]

International career

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Ring's convincing performances in theFinnish League Cupand the Veikkausliiga earned him a call-up to the new coachMixu Paatelainen's first gathering of theFinland national football teamin May 2011.[26]He made his senior national team debut on 7 June 2011 in 5–0 defeat againstSweden.On 11 October 2011, Finnish starRoman Eremenkodescribed Ring as a soon-to-be key player in theFinland national football team,saying: "I knew Alex when he came to the national team, but I hadn't seen any of his games before. When he came, it was immediately obvious that he is here to stay. He plays without fear."[27]He established himself as a regular in the national team during Finland's qualification campaign for theUEFA Euro 2012.[28]Ring scored his first goal for the national team on 26 March 2013 inLuxembourgin a match againstLuxembourg.[29]His second international goal came from a direct freekick vs. Iceland in a WC qualifier in September 2017.[30]

In September 2018, Ring announced his retirement from international football.[31]

Ring with thenational teamin 2011

Personal life

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Ring doesn't have German citizenship, even though he has lived most of his life in Germany. InMaali! 3/2011he stated: "I have not even applied for German citizenship. It has been obvious for me that I represent Finland".[32]

Ring is married with two daughters.[33][34]

In March 2018, Ring earned aU.S. green cardwhich qualifies him as a domestic player for MLS roster purposes.[35]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of 19 October 2024[36][37][38]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Continental[c] Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Klubi 04 2009 Ykkönen 15 3 – — — — 15 3
2010 Ykkönen 19 6 — – — — 19 6
Total 34 9 — – — — 34 9
Tampere United(loan) 2010 Veikkausliiga 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 4 1
HJK Helsinki 2010 Veikkausliiga 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 – 3 0
2011 Veikkausliiga 24 2 3 1 8 3 6[d] 2 – 41 8
Total 27 2 3 1 8 3 6 2 0 0 44 8
Borussia Mönchengladbach(loan) 2011–12 Bundesliga 8 0 0 0 — — — 8 0
2012–13 Bundesliga 6 0 1 0 — 6[e] 1 — 13 1
Total 14 0 1 0 — 6 1 — 21 1
1. FC Kaiserslautern 2013–14 2. Bundesliga 21 0 3 0 — — — 24 0
2014–15 2. Bundesliga 24 6 2 0 — — — 26 6
2015–16 2. Bundesliga 21 2 1 0 — — — 22 2
2016–17 2. Bundesliga 10 0 1 0 — — — 11 0
Total 76 8 7 0 — — — 83 8
New York City FC 2017 MLS 29 0 1 0 2 0 — — 32 0
2018 MLS 30 2 0 0 3 0 — — 33 2
2019 MLS 31 4 2 0 1 0 — — 34 4
2020 MLS 24 4 — — 3[f] 0 2[g] 0 27 4
Total 114 10 3 0 6 0 3 0 2 0 128 10
Austin FC 2021 MLS 31 4 — — — — 31 4
2022 MLS 34 4 1 0 3 0 — — 38 4
2023 MLS 28 2 1 0 0 0 1[f] 0 1[h] 0 31 2
2024 MLS 34 2 — — — 3[h] 1 37 3
Total 127 12 2 0 3 0 1 0 4 1 137 13
HJK Helsinki 2025 Veikkausliiga 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 – 0 0
Career total 393 42 16 1 17 3 16 3 6 1 448 50
Notes
  1. ^IncludesFinnish Cup,DFB-Pokal,andU.S. Open Cup
  2. ^IncludesFinnish League CupandMLS Cup Playoffs
  3. ^IncludesUEFA Champions League,UEFA Europa League
  4. ^Four appearances and one goal inUEFA Champions League,two appearances inUEFA Europa League
  5. ^Two appearances and one goal inUEFA Champions League,four appearances inUEFA Europa League
  6. ^abIncludesCONCACAF Champions Cup
  7. ^Two appearances in MLS is Back Tournament knockout stage
  8. ^abAppearance(s) inLeagues Cup

International

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As of matches played on 2 September 2017[36][39]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Finland
2011 6 0
2012 7 0
2013 9 1
2014 7 0
2015 5 0
2016 8 0
2017 1 1
Total 43 2
Scores and results list Finland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Ring goal.
List of international goals scored by Alexander Ring[36]
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 26 March 2013 Stade Josy Barthel, Luxembourg City,Luxembourg Luxembourg 1–0 3–0 Friendly
2 2 September 2017 Tampere Stadium, Tampere,Finland Iceland 1–0 1–0 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

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HJK

Individual

References

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  1. ^"Alexander Ring".AustinFC.Austin FC.Retrieved2 October2022.
  2. ^"HJK pestasi oman kasvatin"(in Finnish). iltasanomat.fi. 3 August 2010. Archived fromthe originalon 4 September 2012.Retrieved3 May2013.
  3. ^"Ringille jatko kauden 2015 loppuun"[Ring signs until 2015] (in Finnish). HJK Helsinki. 26 September 2011. Archived fromthe originalon 16 October 2011.Retrieved3 May2013.
  4. ^"Saksalaislehden ykkösuutinen: Ring Bundesliigaan"[Ring to Germany?] (in Finnish). mtv3.fi. 5 December 2011. Archived fromthe originalon 15 January 2012.Retrieved3 May2013.
  5. ^"Kicker: HJK vuokraa Ringin Saksaan"[Kicker: HJK loans Ring to Germany] (in Finnish). iltasanomat.fi. 5 January 2012. Archived fromthe originalon 11 January 2012.Retrieved3 May2013.
  6. ^Kommentti: HJK hakee jättipottia Alexander Ringistä,5 January 2012, suomifutis.fi
  7. ^"Mönchengladbach eye return to top table".UEFA. 20 August 2012.Retrieved3 May2013.
  8. ^"Auch Ring ist vor dem Absprung"(in German).Kicker.27 February 2013.Retrieved3 May2013.
  9. ^"Alexander Ring Wird Ein Roter Teufel"(in German). fck.de. 19 June 2013. Archived fromthe originalon 26 June 2013.Retrieved27 July2013.
  10. ^"Alexander Ring Becomes a Red Devil".fck.de. 19 June 2013. Archived fromthe originalon 3 March 2016.Retrieved10 January2014.
  11. ^"Kicker: Näin saksalaisseurat maksoivat suomalaispelaajistaan"(in Finnish). Ilta-Sanomat. 30 June 2013. Archived fromthe originalon 24 September 2015.Retrieved29 October2016.
  12. ^"Sonntag, 15.30 Uhr: FCK reist zum SV Sandhausen: 1. FC Kaiserslautern".Archived fromthe originalon 29 October 2016.Retrieved11 November2014.
  13. ^"1. FC Kaiserslautern: Jetzt Bangen um Alexander Ring und Kerem Demirbay".27 October 2014.
  14. ^Alexander Ringin siirtyminen New York Cityyn varmistui,Helsingin Sanomat,1 February 2017
  15. ^"Soccer Teams, Scores, Stats, News, Fixtures, Results, Tables".ESPN.
  16. ^"Alexander Ring: 2017 Newcomer of the Year in Photos".
  17. ^Watch: Alexander Ring’s stunning first goal for NYCFC in AtlantaArchived18 April 2018 at theWayback Machine
  18. ^Bogert, Tom (7 February 2019)."NYCFC name midfielder Alex Ring second captain in club history".MLS Soccer.
  19. ^"Austin FC acquire midfielder Alex Ring from NYCFC in blockbuster deal | MLSSoccer".
  20. ^"Austin FC, Club Captain Alex Ring Agree to New Contract | Austin FC".
  21. ^Sebastian Driussi named captain for 2023 Austin FC season
  22. ^@AustinFC (18 May 2023)."200"(Tweet) – viaTwitter.
  23. ^Who's in, who's out? Austin, Atlanta & RSL reset for 2024,mlssoccer, 17 November 2023
  24. ^https:// austinfc /news/austin-fc-announces-roster-decisions-ahead-of-2025-season
  25. ^Alex Ring palaa Klubiin!,hjk.fi, 5 February 2025
  26. ^"Sweden bid to bridge gap at summit".UEFA. 1 June 2011.Retrieved3 May2013.
  27. ^Miettinen, Heikki (10 October 2011)."Roman Eremenko: Alexander Ring tuli maajoukkueeseen jäädäkseen"(in Finnish). hs.fi.Retrieved3 May2013.
  28. ^"Alexander Ring"(in Finnish). Suomen Palloliitto.Retrieved23 December2016.
  29. ^"Suomelle vakuuttava voitto Luxemburgista"(in Finnish). YLE Urheilu. 26 March 2013.Retrieved12 January2015.
  30. ^"Ring free kick fires Finland to 1-0 win over Iceland".Reuters.2 September 2017. Archived fromthe originalon 5 October 2017.
  31. ^"Alex Ring Announces International Retirement".
  32. ^"Alexander Ring".Maali! 3/2011(in Finnish). Suomen Palloliitto (Football Association of Finland). p. 26.
  33. ^"Ring: I Can't Wait to Play at Yankee Stadium".
  34. ^"Ring Celebrates Dominant Return to XI".
  35. ^"NYCFC Duo Receive U.S. Green Cards".NYCFC. 1 March 2018.Retrieved3 March2018.
  36. ^abcAlexander Ringat National-Football-Teams
  37. ^"Finland – A. Ring – Profile with news, career statistics and history".Soccerway.
  38. ^Alexander RingatMajor League Soccer
  39. ^Palloliitto
  40. ^"Veikkausliiga palkinnot"(in Finnish). Veikkausliiga. Archived fromthe originalon 17 February 2015.Retrieved17 February2015.
  41. ^Alexander Ringistä syyskuun pelaajaArchived5 February 2013 atarchive.today(in Finnish)
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