Niels Hartman

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.

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. 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. 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. 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, 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. 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.

Career statistics

International

Honours Vermont Catamounts NCAA Division I Championship: 2024 America East Championship: 2024, 2025 America East regular season winner: 2024, 2025

Personal life His sister, Iris, plays for the Gibraltar national netball team.