Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 7, 2026

Daniel Wass

Daniel Wass is a Danish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder or full-back for Danish Superliga club Brøndby, which he captains.

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Daniel Wass
Wass with Valencia in 2019
Personal information
Full name Daniel Wass1
Date of birth (1989-05-31) 31 May 1989
Place of birth Brøndbyøster, Denmark
Height 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)2
Positions
Team information
Current team
 Brøndby
Number 10
Youth career
1993–2006 Avarta
2006–2007 Brøndby
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007–2011 Brøndby 85 (8)
2009 → Fredrikstad (loan) 3 (1)
2011–2012 Benfica 0 (0)
2011–2012 → Évian (loan) 29 (4)
2012–2015 Évian 104 (19)
2015–2018 Celta Vigo 103 (9)
2018–2022 Valencia 152 (10)
2022 Atlético Madrid 1 (0)
2022– Brøndby 110 (7)
International career‡
2005 Denmark U16 3 (0)
2005–2006 Denmark U17 14 (0)
2006–2007 Denmark U18 4 (0)
2007–2008 Denmark U19 8 (2)
2008 Denmark U20 1 (0)
2008–2011 Denmark U21 14 (0)
2011–2022 Denmark 44 (1)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 19:20, 11 May 2026 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals as of 22 September 2022

Daniel Wass (Danish pronunciation: [ˈtɛˀnjəl ˈvæs]; born 31 May 1989) is a Danish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder or full-back for Danish Superliga club Brøndby, which he captains.

A product of Avarta and Brøndby's youth academy, Wass made his senior debut for Brøndby in the 2007–08 Superliga season and established himself in the side over the following years before transferring to Benfica in 2011. After being loaned to Évian, where he subsequently signed on a permanent basis, he spent three seasons in France before moves to Celta Vigo in 2015 and Valencia in 2018. At Valencia he won the 2019 Copa del Rey, the first major honour of his career. A short spell at Atlético Madrid in 2022 was curtailed by a knee injury on his debut, after which he returned to Brøndby on a permanent transfer.

A former Denmark international, Wass made his debut in 2011 and was named in the country's squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Early life

Wass was born and grew up in Brøndby, in the western suburbs of Copenhagen.3 He started playing football aged four for Avarta in neighbouring Rødovre, its Espelunden ground being closer to his childhood home than Brøndby Stadium, and remained at the club for around ten years.4 On the recommendation of his Brøndby neighbour, the defender Pierre Kanstrup, he attended a trial at Brøndby IF and joined the club's academy in 2006, also attending Brøndby Gymnasium before graduating in 2008.45

Club career

Brøndby

Wass with Brøndby in 2010 source ↗

Wass made his Superliga debut for Brøndby on 28 October 2007, away to OB under manager Tom Køhlert.6 A knee injury cut his first season short, but he established himself as Brøndby's first-choice right-back in 2008–09, making 28 of a possible 33 league appearances as the club finished third in the Superliga.

In August 2009, Wass was loaned to the Norwegian top-flight side Fredrikstad.7 He made his debut on 21 August in a 4–1 defeat to Rosenborg and scored in a 5–0 win over Lyn on 1 November,89 but featured only three times before being recalled in December after the appointment of Tom Nordlie as manager; Nordlie favoured a more defensive profile at right-back.10

Wass returned to Brøndby's starting line-up for the remainder of 2009–10 and held it for the opening 19 fixtures of 2010–11. In February 2011, he announced he would not be renewing his contract amid speculation of a summer transfer to Benfica.11 In March, manager Henrik Jensen moved him forward to right midfielder, in which role he scored three goals as Brøndby finished third for a third consecutive season.12

Transfer to Benfica and loan to Évian

On 20 May 2011, Wass announced that he had signed a five-year contract with Benfica.13 However, on 22 July 2011, he was loaned out to Evian Thonon Gaillard F.C. without taking part in any official games for Benfica.14 Upon moving to Evian, Wass joined Danish countrymen Stephan Andersen, Christian Poulsen and Thomas Kahlenberg. In the four months after joining Evian, Wass was kept out of the first team under Bernard Casoni, who preferred Brice Dja Djédjé, while Wass stated his intention to return to his parent club.15 On 15 October 2011, he made his debut, playing in right midfield, making an impact when he provided assist for Yannick Sagbo in a 2–1 loss against Saint-Étienne. Several weeks later, Wass scored in two consecutive games against Lorient and Rennes. He scored his third goal of the season in a 2–1 loss against Toulouse. Under new manager Pablo Correa, who succeeded Casoni, Wass secured a place in the first team, mostly being used as left-back, with Sidney Govou taking his former position in right midfield. After months of being kept out of the first team, he returned again, playing in left-back, due to Fabrice Ehret. Wass kept his place in the first team towards the end of the season when Guillaume Lacour took his position as left back, this time returning to the right midfield position. Two games before the end of the season, Wass scored his fourth goal in a 2–1 win over Ajaccio.

Transfer to Évian

On 20 June 2012, Wass signed with Evian on a permanent basis for a €2.5 million transfer fee.16 On 12 August 2012, in the opening game of the season against Bordeaux, Wass scored a free kick in a match that ended in a 2–3 loss for Evian. Like in the previous season, Wass played in various positions in defence and midfield. On 26 January 2013, Wass scored a further goal against Ajaccio in a 1–1 draw.

Celta Vigo

Wass playing for Celta Vigo in 2017 source ↗

On 22 June 2015, Wass joined La Liga club Celta Vigo on a four-year contract for a reported €3 million fee, following Évian's relegation from Ligue 1.1718 Inter Milan and Bayer Leverkusen had reportedly also approached him, but he chose Celta on the recommendation of Michael Krohn-Dehli, the Danish midfielder who had spent the previous three seasons at the club.19

Used in midfield and on both flanks by head coach Eduardo Berizzo, Wass made 35 La Liga appearances in his first season as Celta finished sixth and qualified for the 2016–17 UEFA Europa League.19 The following season, he was an ever-present in the European campaign and one of only three players to feature in all 13 of his side's Europa League fixtures.20 Wass scored against Panathinaikos in the group stage and against Krasnodar in the round of 16, before Celta were eliminated in the semi-finals by Manchester United over two legs in May 2017.20 Domestically, Celta also reached the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey before being eliminated by Alavés.

On 7 January 2018, Wass scored once and assisted Iago Aspas's winner in a 2–2 draw against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu.21 At the end of the season, Wass said his time at Celta had come to an end.19 He had made 136 appearances and scored 14 goals across all competitions in three seasons at the club.19

Valencia

On 10 July 2018, Wass joined Valencia on a four-year deal for a fee reported to be €6 million.2223 He made his debut for the club on 20 August in La Liga, providing an assist to Rodrigo's equaliser in a 1–1 home draw against Atlético Madrid.24 His first goal for Los che came on 14 April 2019 in a 3–1 away win against Villarreal in the UEFA Europa League.25 Wass was a starter in the 2019 Copa del Rey Final which saw Valencia lift the trophy after a 2–1 victory against Barcelona, his first ever career title.26

On 27 November 2019, Wass scored on an overcooked cross from a tight angle, which surprised goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and allowed Valencia to finish top of their UEFA Champions League group. The match finished 2–2.27

Atlético Madrid

On 27 January 2022, Atlético Madrid announced the signing of Wass on a contract until 2023.28 He made his competitive debut for the club on 6 February, coming off the bench at half-time for Šime Vrsaljko in a 4–2 loss away against Barcelona at Camp Nou.29 The appearance would remain his only one for the Colchoneros, as he suffered a season-ending knee injury after a challenge by Ferran Torres.3031

Return to Brøndby

On 12 August 2022, Wass returned to Brøndby IF on a permanent transfer from Atlético Madrid.32 He made his return debut two days later in a Superliga match against OB, starting at right-back in a 2–0 home win.33

Brøndby had announced on 24 July 2022 that Wass would sign a contract through June 2025, marking a return to where he started his professional career.34

Ahead of the 2024–25 season, head coach Jesper Sørensen removed Wass from the role of team captain.35 Following Sørensen's departure and the appointment of Frederik Birk as head coach, Wass was reinstated as captain at the beginning of the 2025–26 season.36

Brøndby began the 2025–26 Superliga season with a win under Wass's captaincy, placing them first in the league table after the opening round.37

On 5 March 2025, Brøndby extended Wass's contract by an additional year, tying him to the club through June 2026 and including a future non-playing club role upon retirement.3839

International career

Wass made his Danish international debut against England on 9 February 2011.40

In May 2018, Wass was named in Denmark's preliminary 35-man squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.41 However, he did not make the final 23.42

In October 2016, Wass declined a call up to the Danish national team due to a supposed injury, but still played in the following match against Celta Vigo, which led Danish coach Åge Hareide to drop him from the national team.43 In May 2019 the two put their disagreements behind them, and Wass was once again called up to the Danish national team.44

In November 2022, Wass was included in Denmark's 26-man squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. However, he didn't start in any games as Denmark went on to be eliminated in the group stages without registering a single win.

Personal life

Wass and his wife, Mie (née Jensen), have been together since 2007 and have two daughters. Mie, herself a former sportswoman, gave up her own athletic career to follow Wass abroad through his moves to France and Spain.5 Wass' father was treated for cancer during the early years of his professional career; Wass has described the experience as formative in his 2025 autobiography Bolden og basen.3 He is a first cousin of the former Denmark international footballer Nicki Bille Nielsen.45

In October 2020, while playing for Valencia, Wass invested in InchByInch, a Danish digital platform that connects young footballers with established professionals for paid mentorship.46 In May 2024, he became a co-owner of the Danish ice hockey club Rødovre Mighty Bulls alongside the Brøndby chairman Jan Bech Andersen, the former Brøndby captain Andreas Maxsø and the Stanley Cup-winning Lars Eller, among others. The new ownership cleared the club's debt after a season in which it had come close to bankruptcy.4748

Wass' autobiography Bolden og basen, co-written with the journalist Gitte Søby Madsen, was published by Grønningen 1 in October 2025.49

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 21 May 202650
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cupa League cupb Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Brøndby 2007–08 Danish Superliga 13 0 — — — — 13 0
2008–09 Danish Superliga 28 0 3 0 — 5c 1 — 36 1
2009–10 Danish Superliga 12 2 — — — — 12 2
2010–11 Danish Superliga 32 6 1 1 — 6c 0 — 39 7
Total 85 8 4 1 0 0 11 1 0 0 100 10
Fredrikstad (loan) 2009 Tippeligaen 3 1 — — — — 3 1
Benfica 2011–12 Primeira Liga 0 0 — — — — 0 0
Évian (loan) 2011–12 Ligue 1 29 4 1 0 1 0 — — 31 4
Évian 2012–13 Ligue 1 34 2 5 0 0 0 — — 39 2
2013–14 Ligue 1 38 9 1 0 3 2 — — 42 11
2014–15 Ligue 1 32 8 2 1 1 1 — — 35 10
Total 104 19 8 1 4 3 0 0 0 0 116 23
Celta Vigo 2015–16 La Liga 36 2 7 1 — — — 43 3
2016–17 La Liga 32 3 8 2 — 14c 2 — 54 7
2017–18 La Liga 35 4 4 0 — — — 39 4
Total 103 9 19 3 0 0 14 2 0 0 136 14
Valencia 2018–19 La Liga 32 1 8 0 — 10d 1 — 50 2
2019–20 La Liga 35 1 1 0 — 8e 1 1f 0 45 2
2020–21 La Liga 35 4 1 0 — — — 36 4
2021–22 La Liga 19 1 2 0 — — — 21 1
Total 121 7 12 0 0 0 18 2 1 0 152 9
Atlético Madrid 2021–22 La Liga 1 0 0 0 — 0 0 — 1 0
Brøndby 2022–23 Danish Superliga 24 1 0 0 — 0 0 — 24 1
2023–24 Danish Superliga 31 3 3 0 — — — 34 3
2024–25 Danish Superliga 30 2 5 1 — 3g 1 — 38 4
2025–26 Danish Superliga 25 1 2 0 — 6g 1 1h 0 34 2
Total 110 7 10 1 — 9 2 1 0 130 10
Career total 556 55 54 6 5 3 52 7 2 0 668 71
  1. Includes Danish Cup, Coupe de France, Copa del Rey
  2. Includes Coupe de la Ligue
  3. Appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League
  4. Seven appearances and one goal in UEFA Europa League, three appearances in UEFA Champions League
  5. Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League
  6. Appearance(s) in Supercopa de España
  7. Appearances in UEFA Conference League
  8. Appearance in Danish Superliga play-off

International

As of match played 22 September 202251
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Denmark 2011 4 0
2012 5 0
2013 1 0
2014 1 0
2015 3 0
2016 2 0
2017 0 0
2018 0 0
2019 4 0
2020 6 0
2021 15 1
2022 3 0
Total 44 1
Scores and results list Denmark's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Wass goal.51
List of international goals scored by Daniel Wass
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 1 September 2021 Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark  Scotland 1–0 2–0 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Valencia

References

References

  1. "Acta del Partido celebrado el 13 de agosto de 2021, en Valencia" [Minutes of the Match held on 13 August 2021, in Valencia] (in Spanish). Royal Spanish Football Federation. Archived from the original on 14 August 2021. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
  2. "FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™: List of Players: Denmark" (PDF). FIFA. 15 November 2022. p. 9. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 December 2022. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  3. Wass & Madsen 2025.
  4. "'Jeg græd da jeg forlod Avarta'" ['I cried when I left Avarta']. Sjællandske Nyheder (in Danish). 29 March 2016. Archived from the original on 11 May 2026. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
  5. Erlitz, Peter (5 June 2018). "Fodboldstjernen i klasselokalet" [The football star in the classroom]. Sjællandske Nyheder (in Danish). Archived from the original on 11 May 2026. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
  6. "Daniel Wass – 200 kampe i gult og blåt" [Daniel Wass – 200 matches in yellow and blue]. Brøndby IF (in Danish). 3 June 2025. Archived from the original on 12 July 2025. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
  7. Petersen, Nicolai Skov (19 August 2009). "Daniel Wass: Jeg sad fast i BIF" [Daniel Wass: I was stuck at BIF]. TV 2 Sport (in Danish). Archived from the original on 11 May 2026. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
  8. "Fredrikstad-nederlag i Wass-debut" [Fredrikstad defeat in Wass debut]. Bold (in Danish). 21 August 2009. Archived from the original on 11 May 2026. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
  9. "Trist Lyn-farvel" [Sad Lyn goodbye]. Dagsavisen (in Norwegian Bokmål). 1 November 2009. Archived from the original on 11 May 2026. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
  10. Kvamme, Sigve (20 March 2011). "Dansk landslagsmann skjeller ut Tom Nordlie" [Danish international lashes out at Tom Nordlie]. Dagbladet (in Norwegian Bokmål). Archived from the original on 16 September 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
  11. "Daniel Wass skifter til Benfica" [Daniel Wass joins Benfica]. DR (in Danish). 19 May 2011. Archived from the original on 19 December 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
  12. Hare, Hans-Henrik Hybholt (6 March 2011). "Wass sikrede Brøndby uafgjort" [Wass secured draw for Brøndby]. Ekstra Bladet (in Danish). Archived from the original on 11 May 2026. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
  13. "Daniel Wass assume Benfica" (in Portuguese). Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  14. "Evian anuncia empréstimo de Wass" (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 18 October 2012. Retrieved 22 July 2011.
  15. "Wass: "My goal is to return to Benfica»" [Wass: "O meu objetivo é regressar ao Benfica"] (in Portuguese). Jornal Record. 10 October 2011. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
  16. "WASS SIGNs FOR 4 YEARS" [WASS SIGNE POUR 4 ANS] (in French). The Official Website of Evian Thonon Gaillard. 20 June 2012. Archived from the original on 25 June 2012. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  17. "Daniel Wass: refuerzo versátil y de calidad para el mediocampo celeste" (in Spanish). Celta de Vigo. 22 June 2015. Archived from the original on 22 June 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  18. "El Celta ata a Daniel Wass: pagará cerca de 3 millones de euros al Évian". Vigoe.es (in Spanish). June 2015. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  19. Bacariza, Marcos L. "DANIEL WASS". Yojugueenelcelta.es (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 10 December 2025. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
  20. "Manchester United v Celta background". UEFA.com. 5 May 2017. Archived from the original on 16 February 2026. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
  21. "Celta Vigo 2–2 Real Madrid". BBC Sport. 7 January 2018. Archived from the original on 9 June 2025. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
  22. "Club Statement Daniel Wass" (Press release). Valencia CF. 10 July 2018. Archived from the original on 4 February 2020. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
  23. "El Valencia ata a Daniel Wass por 6 millones". Las Provincias (in Spanish). 6 July 2018. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  24. "Wass laver assist i Valencia-debut mod Atlético Madrid". DR (in Danish). 20 August 2018. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  25. Álvarez, Fernando (11 April 2019). "El Valencia destroza La Cerámica". Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  26. Philippe, Paolo (26 May 2019). "Valence domine le Barça et remporte la Coupe du Roi". L'Équipe (in French). Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  27. Steinberg, Jacob (27 November 2019). "Daniel Wass's freak goal earns Valencia deserved draw with Chelsea". the Guardian. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  28. "Welcome, Wass!" (Press release). Atlético Madrid. 27 January 2022. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  29. López, Daniel (7 February 2022). "Barcelona 4-2 Atlético: resumen, goles y resultado del partido". Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  30. "Wass sufre un esguince grado II del ligamento lateral interno de la rodilla derecha". Atlético Madrid (in European Spanish). 7 February 2022. Archived from the original on 12 August 2022. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  31. "Wass, torsión en la rodilla, pendiente de pruebas y "diagnóstico definitivo"". sport (in Spanish). 6 February 2022. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  32. "Acuerdo con el Brøndby IF para el traspaso de Daniel Wass". Atlético Madrid (in European Spanish). Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  33. "Det sagde vi efter kampen mod OB". Brøndby IF (in Danish). 14 August 2022. Archived from the original on 15 August 2022. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  34. "Daniel Wass vender hjem til Brøndby IF". Brøndby IF (in Danish). Brøndby IF. 24 July 2022.
  35. "Jesper Sørensen: Derfor bænker jeg Daniel Wass". Tipsbladet (in Danish). 1 August 2024.
  36. "Ny anførergruppe på plads – Brøndby IF". Brøndby IF (in Danish). Brøndby IF. 15 July 2025.
  37. "Wass leder Brøndby til sejr i sæsonpremieren". bold.dk (in Danish). 21 July 2025.
  38. "Daniel Wass forlænger kontrakten med Brøndby IF". Fodbold.dk (in Danish). 6 March 2025.
  39. "Wass jubler over ny aftale: Det betyder meget". Bold.dk (in Danish). 5 March 2025.
  40. "Who is reported Newcastle target Daniel Wass? Five things about the Evian player". shieldsgazette.com. Shields Gazette. 2 February 2015. Archived from the original on 20 March 2015.
  41. Crawford, Stephen (4 June 2018). "Revealed: Every World Cup 2018 squad - Final 23-man lists". Goal. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  42. "Confirmed: Denmark cut ex-Arsenal star from FIFA World Cup squad". socceroos.com. Football Australia. 3 June 2018. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
  43. "Hareide om Wass-afbud: Jeg må tro på ham" (in Danish). Danmarks Radio. 3 October 2016. Retrieved 18 April 2026.
  44. "Vraget under stor virak: 'En konflikt varer ikke evigt'" (in Danish). B.T. 22 May 2019. Retrieved 18 April 2026.
  45. "Vil på landsholdet med fætter" [Wants to play for the national team with cousin] (in Danish). Tipsbladet. Archived from the original on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
  46. Kidd, Robert (26 October 2020). "Valencia CF's Daniel Wass invests in new platform to help young players". Forbes. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
  47. Asferg, Mikkel (8 May 2024). "Store sportsstjerner køber sig ind i dansk klub" [Major sports starts buy into Danish club]. TV 2 Sport (in Danish). Archived from the original on 8 May 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
  48. Hoffskov, Ole (8 May 2024). "Går sammen med Daniel Wass og Andreas Maxsø" [He joins Daniel Wass and Andreas Maxsø]. Tipsbladet (in Danish). Archived from the original on 10 May 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
  49. "Bog – Bolden og Basen, Daniel Wass" (in Danish). Brøndby IF. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
  50. Daniel Wass at Soccerway
  51. Daniel Wass at National-Football-Teams.com
  52. "Barcelona 1–2 Valencia". BBC Sport. 25 May 2019. Retrieved 25 May 2019.
Bibliography

Bibliography

  • Wass, Daniel; Madsen, Gitte Søby (2025). Bolden og basen (in Danish). Copenhagen: Grønningen 1. ISBN 978-87-7339-250-8.
External links