Callum William McCowatt (born 30 April 1999) is a New Zealand professional footballer who plays as a left winger for Danish Superliga club AGF and the New Zealand national team.
Club career Following his graduation from Westlake Boys High School, McCowatt joined the Olé Football Academy in early 2015, playing league football for Olé-affiliated club Western Suburbs. During his time with the academy, McCowatt was named in the youth squad of Team Wellington for the 2016 National Youth League season.
Auckland City Following his time at Western Suburbs, McCowatt moved to ISPS Handa Premiership club Auckland City along with fellow Olé graduates Dalton Wilkins and Owen Parker-Price on 26 September 2017. Though he was originally intended for the youth team, McCowatt eventually started every game Auckland City played that season, including the FIFA Club World Cup and OFC Champions League campaigns. McCowatt scored the only goal in the grand final as Auckland City defeated Team Wellington 1–0 to lift the league title.
Following McCowatt's success in his debut season, in which he formed an attacking trio with Ryan de Vries and Emiliano Tade, he earned a trial with Eredivisie club Sparta Rotterdam, but was not offered a contract.
Eastern Suburbs On 21 November 2018, McCowatt continued his relationship with the Olé academy, signing with affiliated club Eastern Suburbs. He scored 21 goals in 16 appearances in the 2018–19 season, including a hat-trick in the grand final against Team Wellington which his team won 3–0. He was awarded the Steve Sumner Trophy for player of the match.
Wellington Phoenix On 26 June 2019, it was announced that McCowatt signed with the Wellington Phoenix who play in the A-League on a one-year deal. McCowatt scored his first goal for the Phoenix in their FFA Cup lost to the Brisbane Strikers before he made his professional debut in a 0–1 loss to Western United in the Phoenix season opener.
Helsingør On 6 September 2020, McCowatt signed a contract with Helsingør who play in the Danish 1st Division. On 18 October 2020, McCowatt made his debut for FC Helsingør, when he was substituted on in the 70th minute. McCowatt scored his first goal for the club against HB Køge in the Danish 1st Division promotion group match.
Silkeborg After three seasons at Helsingør, Danish Superliga club Silkeborg confirmed on 4 July 2023, that McCowatt had joined the club on a deal until the end of 2027. McCowatt made his Silkeborg debut on 23 July 2023 in the season opener against Brøndby, being substituted on in the 82nd minute. On 4 August 2023, McCowatt scored his first goal for Silkeborg in a 2–1 league win over Vejle.
On 21 September 2025, McCowatt scored his first hat-trick for Silkeborg in a 3–3 away draw against Copenhagen in the Superliga. On 9 December, he was named Silkeborg Player of the Year for 2025.
AGF On 1 September 2026, McCowatt signed for fellow Danish Superliga club AGF on a contract until the summer of 2030.
International career McCowatt got his first international call-up for the New Zealand U17 team for the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup. He played four matches, starting in one. McCowatt was named in the New Zealand U20 squad for the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup. He was named in the starting lineup in 3 matches but failed to score.
McCowatt made his senior international debut on 15 November 2019, starting for New Zealand in a friendly against Ireland. McCowatt opened the scoring, marking his first ever goal for the national team, before New Zealand went on to lose 1–3.
On 25 June 2021, McCowatt was called up to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics with the New Zealand U23s. He made his Olympics debut on 22 July 2021 in the OlyWhites' first ever Olympic win, a 1–0 victory against South Korea.
On 14 May 2026, McCowatt was selected in the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAuckland City2017–18Premiership187—62322711Eastern Suburbs2018–19Premiership1418——231621Wellington Phoenix Reserves2019–20Premiership10———10Wellington Phoenix2019–20A-League25111—10272Helsingør2020–21Danish 1st Division243———2432021–22Danish 1st Division27620——2962022–23Danish 1st Division30931——3310Total811851——8619Silkeborg2023–24Danish Superliga32583——4082024–25Danish Superliga2256200112982025–26Danish Superliga32111041—37122026–27Danish Superliga5200——52Total9123155411111130AGF2026–27Danish Superliga311200—43Career total233682291037627286
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsNew Zealand201911202130202260202371202442202570202690Total374
New Zealand score listed first, score column indicates score after each McCowatt goal
+ List of international goals scored by Callum McCowatt No. Cap Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1 1 14 November 2019 Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Republic of Ireland 1–0 1–3 Friendly 2 12 16 June 2023 Friends Arena, Stockholm, Sweden 1–0 1–4 Friendly 3 20 15 November 2024 Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, New Zealand 8–1 8–1 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 4 21 18 November 2024 Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand 1–0 8–0 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification
Honours Auckland City New Zealand Football Championship Premiership: 2017–18 New Zealand Football Championship Championship: 2017–18
Eastern Suburbs New Zealand Football Championship Championship: 2018–19
Silkeborg Danish Cup: 2023–24
Individual League top-goalscorer: New Zealand Football Championship 2018–19 Steve Sumner Trophy: 2017–18, 2018–19 Silkeborg Player of the Year: 2025
References
External links