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Alexander Ring
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Alexander Ring
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Alexander Michael Ring (born 9 April 1991) is a Finnish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder and defender for Veikkausliiga club HJK Helsinki.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Ring was born in Finland and moved to Bonn, Germany, with his family when aged three, and grew up there and in Belgium. Ring went through the ranks of Bayer 04 Leverkusen before returning to Finland with his family in 2008.

Club career

[edit]

HJK

[edit]

He signed for HJK's reserve team Klubi-04 in 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 to Tampere United for 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 German Bundesliga side Borussia Mönchengladbach were interested in signing the young Finn for approximately €1 million.[4]

Borussia Mönchengladbach (loan)

[edit]
Ring with Mönchengladbach in 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 Ukrainian Dynamo Kyiv in the first leg of 2012–13 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

[edit]

In June 2013, he signed a contract with 1. FC Kaiserslautern to play in 2. 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 coach Franco Foda in 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 both Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern München. He scored his first goal for the club in August 2014 versus SV Sandhausen.[12] Despite a lengthy lay-off due to a knee injury in the home game versus Fortuna Düsseldorf,[13] the season 2014–15 turned 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

[edit]

Ring was purchased from Kaiserslautern by Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise New York City FC on 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 the Eastern Conference semifinals versus Columbus 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] after David Villa's departure to Vissel Kobe in December.

Austin FC

[edit]

On 17 December 2020, Ring was traded to new expansion franchise Austin FC in exchange for up to $1.25 million in General Allocation Money.[19] He was subsequently selected as the captain of 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 a Designated 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 in MLS, 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 the 2024 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

[edit]

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

International career

[edit]

Ring's convincing performances in the Finnish League Cup and the Veikkausliiga earned him a call-up to the new coach Mixu Paatelainen's first gathering of the Finland national football team in May 2011.[26] He made his senior national team debut on 7 June 2011 in 5–0 defeat against Sweden. On 11 October 2011, Finnish star Roman Eremenko described Ring as a soon-to-be key player in the Finland 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 the UEFA Euro 2012.[28] Ring scored his first goal for the national team on 26 March 2013 in Luxembourg in a match against Luxembourg.[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 the national team in 2011

Personal life

[edit]

Ring doesn't have German citizenship, even though he has lived most of his life in Germany. In Maali! 3/2011 he 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 a U.S. green card which qualifies him as a domestic player for MLS roster purposes.[35]

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
As of 26 August 2025[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 20 12 1 1 4 0 4[i] 0 – 29 13
Career total 413 54 17 2 21 3 22 3 6 1 477 63
Notes
  1. ^ Includes Finnish Cup, DFB-Pokal, and U.S. Open Cup
  2. ^ Includes Finnish League Cup and MLS Cup Playoffs
  3. ^ Includes UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League
  4. ^ Four appearances and one goal in UEFA Champions League, two appearances in UEFA Europa League
  5. ^ Two appearances and one goal in UEFA Champions League, four appearances in UEFA Europa League
  6. ^ a b Includes CONCACAF Champions Cup
  7. ^ Two appearances in MLS is Back Tournament knockout stage
  8. ^ a b Appearance(s) in Leagues Cup
  9. ^ Appearances in UEFA Conference League

International

[edit]
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

[edit]

HJK

Individual

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Alexander Ring

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Alexander Michael Ring (born 9 April 1991) is a Finnish professional footballer who plays as a central and occasional defender for Veikkausliiga club HJK Helsinki. Ring began his senior career with HJK Helsinki in 2010, making 27 appearances and scoring two goals over two seasons while contributing to consecutive titles in 2010 and 2011. In January 2012, he joined on loan from HJK in the , where he made 14 first-team appearances across two seasons while primarily featuring for the reserve team. He then joined in the from 2013 to 2017, accumulating 76 appearances, 8 goals, and 3 assists in four seasons. In January 2017, Ring moved to with , where he became a regular starter, playing 113 matches over four seasons and recording 10 goals and 11 assists while helping the team finish as runners-up in the MLS in 2017 and 2019. He joined expansion side ahead of its 2021 inaugural season, serving as captain and appearing in 127 regular-season and playoff matches with 12 goals and 11 assists through 2024, including reaching the milestone of 200 MLS appearances in May 2023. Ring returned to HJK Helsinki in February 2025 on a contract through 2026, where he has since recorded 14 goals and 6 assists in 30 appearances during the 2025 season. Internationally, Ring has represented the national team since 2011, earning 43 caps with 2 goals as of 2024, including participation in matches and qualifiers. His career highlights also include two Finnish Cup wins with HJK .

Early life

Childhood in Finland and relocation

Alexander Ring was born on 9 April 1991 in , , to Finnish parents. Ring's family relocated to , , when he was a young child, as his father secured employment there. The move occurred around 1995, when Ring joined the youth ranks of local club VfL Lannesdorf at age four. He continued his development in German football academies, including from 1998 to 2008. During his childhood, the family made a subsequent move to , where Ring trained in the youth academy of . These early international experiences shaped his formative years across multiple countries. In late 2008, at age 17, Ring returned to with his family, a move that positioned him to join HJK Helsinki's youth setup.

Youth development in Europe

Ring's early football development began in local clubs amid his family's relocations across . At around age four, he joined VfL Lannesdorf near , , where he started honing basic skills as a , focusing on ball control and positional play in youth setups. In 2001, during a family move to , he briefly trained with R.S.C. Anderlecht's , gaining exposure to a technically demanding style that emphasized quick passing and tactical awareness. These experiences laid the foundation for his midfield versatility, blending defensive solidity with creative distribution. By age seven in 1998, Ring entered Bayer 04 Leverkusen's renowned youth academy, spending the next decade progressing through its structured program. He advanced from younger age groups to the U15 and U17 levels, competing in competitive German youth leagues such as the U19 Bundesliga West, where the academy's emphasis on physical conditioning and high-pressing tactics shaped his professional profile. Although specific individual stats from these years are limited, his consistent involvement highlighted his adaptability in central midfield roles, contributing to team efforts in regional tournaments and development matches. In late 2008, at age 17, Ring returned to with his family and enrolled in HJK Helsinki's youth academy, transitioning to the Finnish football environment characterized by endurance-based play and harsh weather conditions. He quickly integrated into the club's reserve side, , competing in the second division, where he recorded 19 appearances and 6 goals in the 2009 season, demonstrating his scoring threat from midfield. To gain senior-level experience, Ring was loaned to in the for the latter half of 2010. Over 4 matches, he scored 1 goal, adapting to the top-flight's intensity and earning praise for his work rate in a struggling side that finished seventh before relegation. This stint marked his initial bridge from youth to professional football, refining his defensive positioning and transition play.

Club career

HJK Helsinki (2009–2013)

Ring joined HJK Helsinki in 2009 at the age of 18, signing with the club's reserve team in Finland's second tier , where he initially made appearances to develop his skills as a central . During this period, he scored nine goals in 32 matches for the reserves, building a foundation before transitioning to senior football. His early involvement included limited first-team exposure in 2010, with three appearances in the and one in qualifying. Ring made his first-team debut for HJK in the 2011 season and quickly became a regular starter in central midfield, featuring in 24 league matches that year while contributing two goals and four assists. Over the 2011–2012 period, he amassed 43 appearances across all competitions, scoring six goals in total, which highlighted his growing influence in the squad. In 2011, Ring played a key role in HJK's title victory—the club's second consecutive championship—alongside winning the Suomen Cup for a domestic double, with notable contributions including goals in qualifying against Dinamo . In January 2012, Ring secured a loan move to II in Germany's to gain experience abroad, departing after a strong domestic campaign. He returned to HJK following the conclusion of the loan in June 2013 and was reintegrated into the squad briefly before completing a permanent transfer overseas later that summer. This period at HJK marked Ring's breakthrough as a professional, establishing him as a vital defensive in Finnish football.

Borussia Mönchengladbach (loan, 2012–2013)

In January 2012, Alexander Ring joined on a loan from HJK Helsinki, with the deal set to run until the end of the 2012–13 season and including an option for a permanent transfer estimated at around €200,000 in loan fee. The move provided the 20-year-old central midfielder an opportunity for exposure to the intensity and tactical demands of the , marking a significant step up from the Finnish . Ring made his Bundesliga debut on 10 March 2012, entering as a substitute in a 0–0 home draw against during the 2011–12 season. Over the duration of the loan, he accumulated 14 appearances in the across both the 2011–12 and 2012–13 campaigns, predominantly coming off the bench and without registering any goals or assists. His limited first-team minutes reflected the competitive depth at , but the stint allowed him to adapt to higher-level training and match preparation. Additionally, Ring saw more consistent involvement with the club's in the Regionalliga West, where he contributed to building his physical conditioning and tactical awareness amid the rigors of German football. The loan period was not without challenges, including a torn muscle fiber injury that sidelined him for 15 days in the 2012–13 season. Despite these setbacks and the modest playing time, Ring's exposure to environments proved formative, enhancing his versatility and readiness for professional . The experience directly paved the way for his subsequent permanent transfer to in the summer of 2013.

1. FC Kaiserslautern (2013–2017)

Ring permanently transferred to 1. FC Kaiserslautern from HJK Helsinki on July 1, 2013, for a reported fee of €500,000. This move followed a loan stint at Borussia Mönchengladbach, where he gained initial exposure to German football. At Kaiserslautern, a 2. Bundesliga side, Ring established himself as a reliable central midfielder, contributing to the team's midfield dynamics during a period of competitive stability and promotion aspirations. Over four seasons from 2013 to 2017, Ring made 76 appearances in the , scoring 8 goals and providing 3 assists, while adding 7 more appearances in the without scoring. His most productive year was the 2014–15 campaign, in which he started 23 of 23 league matches, netted 5 goals, and played a key role in Kaiserslautern's third-place finish and subsequent promotion playoff against , though the team fell short with a 1–2 aggregate defeat. Injuries, including a issue in late 2014, occasionally disrupted his progress, but he demonstrated resilience by returning to become a full-time starter and central figure in the squad. Ring's versatility allowed him to operate effectively in central and defensive midfield positions, adapting to tactical needs amid the physical demands of the . In total, he accumulated 83 appearances across all competitions, underscoring his consistent involvement despite the club's mid-table finishes and relegation skirmishes, particularly in the 2016–17 season where they ended 14th. He departed in February 2017 as a at the end of his contract, having been recognized for his reliability and contributions to the team's promotion efforts.

New York City FC (2017–2020)

Ring transitioned to in 2017, joining from on February 1, using targeted to secure the Finnish international midfielder. He made his MLS debut on March 5, 2017, starting in central midfield during a 1-0 away loss to , where he played 83 minutes and contributed defensively despite the result. Ring quickly established himself as an integral part of the squad, leveraging his experience from the German second division to anchor the midfield and support NYCFC's possession-based style. Over four seasons with NYCFC, Ring appeared in 113 regular-season matches, scoring 10 goals and recording 11 assists while starting nearly every game he played. His versatility allowed him to function as a defensive shield while facilitating transitions to attack, earning recognition as one of the league's top midfielders by 2018. In , as the newly appointed club captain—the second in NYCFC's history after —Ring played a pivotal role in the team's record-breaking campaign, contributing 4 goals and 4 assists en route to 64 points and the Eastern Conference top spot. His and on-field helped guide the team through playoff runs, including the 2019 Eastern Conference Final. Ring's value in the MLS designated player market culminated in his trade to expansion side on December 17, 2020, in exchange for up to $1.25 million in general —the largest such deal for a non-U.S. national team player at the time. This move underscored his emergence as a leader and key contributor during NYCFC's rise as a perennial contender.

Austin FC (2021–2024)

Alexander Ring was traded to from on December 17, 2020, in exchange for up to $1.25 million in , joining the expansion club ahead of its inaugural season in 2021. He signed a multi-year designated player contract extension with Austin in January 2022, securing his role through 2023 with club options for 2024 and 2025. Drawing from his prior experience as captain at , Ring provided essential leadership for the new franchise. Over four seasons with Austin FC, Ring made 127 regular-season appearances, scoring 12 goals and recording 11 assists while demonstrating versatility by playing primarily as a central midfielder but also shifting to defensive roles when needed. His contributions were particularly notable in 2022, when he scored four goals during the regular season that helped secure the club's first playoff qualification. Defensively, Ring amassed 208 tackles won and 139 interceptions across MLS regular-season play, leading the team in these categories during his debut 2021 campaign and establishing franchise benchmarks for total volume in an expansion side's early years. Ring served as Austin FC's inaugural captain for the 2021 and 2022 seasons, guiding the team through its formative years with consistent availability and on-field organization. Following Sebastián Driussi's appointment as sole captain in 2023, Ring transitioned to a shared leadership role amid the club's roster rebuild, mentoring younger players during challenging campaigns that saw Austin finish outside the playoffs. In the 2024 Leagues Cup, he contributed two goal involvements, including a goal and an assist in the group's opening 3-2 victory over Pumas UNAM. On November 5, 2024, declined Ring's 2025 contract option, along with those of four other veterans, concluding his four-year tenure with the club after 137 total appearances across all competitions and 13 goals. The decision came as part of broader roster adjustments following two seasons without playoff contention, marking the end of Ring's foundational contributions to the Verde & Black.

HJK Helsinki (2024–present)

Ring returned to his boyhood club HJK Helsinki on a free transfer on 5 February 2025, following the expiration of his contract with Austin FC, and signed a two-year deal until the end of 2026 to provide leadership as a veteran presence in the midfield. By November 2025, Ring had made 36 appearances across all competitions for HJK, scoring 16 goals and recording 9 assists while accumulating over 3,100 minutes on the pitch, as of the end of the 2025 season. His goal tally included 14 strikes in 30 Veikkausliiga matches, contributing significantly to HJK's strong position in the title race, where the team sat third in the final standings with competitive points against top rivals like KuPS and Inter Turku. Additionally, he featured in 4 UEFA Conference League qualifying matches, scoring 1 goal and providing 3 assists to help the team progress in European competition. Upon his return, Ring transitioned into a hybrid role combining central midfield duties with defensive responsibilities, leveraging his versatility honed during his MLS career to anchor the backline when needed and support attacks. As a 34-year-old experienced player, he has taken on a mentorship role with HJK's younger squad members, guiding their development amid the club's domestic campaigns. Ring's contributions extended to HJK's success in the Finnish Cup, where the team defeated KuPS 1-0 in the final on 20 September 2025 to claim their 15th title in the competition; in the final, Ring assisted the winning goal scored by Teemu Pukki. His seamless reintegration has been marked by strong fan support, particularly in high-stakes Helsinki derbies against local rivals, underscoring his cultural significance to the club after over a abroad.

International career

Youth international career

Ring made his debut for the U17 national team in 2007, accumulating 6 caps and scoring 1 goal during his time with the squad, including participations in the qualifiers. He progressed to the U18 team between 2008 and 2009, earning 10 caps while focusing on midfield duties in friendly tournaments. From 2009 to 2011, Ring represented at the U19 and U21 levels, totaling 15 caps and 2 goals, with notable contributions in youth editions of the Baltic Cup. His strong performances for the U21 team, particularly against Nordic rivals, were instrumental in earning a call-up to the senior national team.

Senior international career

Ring made his senior international debut for the Finland national team on 7 June 2011, substituting in during a match against . Over his international tenure, he accumulated 43 caps, during which he scored two goals while primarily operating as a defensive . He featured prominently in 39 starts, contributing to Finland's midfield stability in various competitive fixtures. Ring's first international goal arrived on 26 March 2013 in a friendly against , helping secure a 3-0 victory. His second and final goal came via a stunning direct free-kick in a 1-0 win over on 2 September 2017, during the qualifying campaign. These strikes highlighted his set-piece proficiency and occasional offensive contributions from a holding role. Beyond individual moments, Ring was integral to Finland's group stage efforts in the 2012 Baltic Cup, where the team reached the final but lost to 1–1 on penalties (5–6). He also played key roles in the cycle, starting multiple matches in Group F, bolstering the defense during challenging draws against stronger European sides. At age 27, Ring announced his retirement from international duty on 30 September 2018, just over a year after his final appearance against , and has remained retired as of November 2025. The decision stemmed from the mental and physical exhaustion caused by frequent transatlantic travel between his commitments and European national team obligations, emphasizing the need to prioritize his family's well-being and focus on club performance. This early exit marked the end of a seven-year stint that had established him as a reliable squad member for the Huuhkajat.

Personal life

Family and relationships

Alexander Ring has been married to Lila Räihälä, a former Finnish youth international footballer who played as a striker for HJK Helsinki, since the early . The couple met during Ring's early career with HJK in , where Räihälä was also active in the sport. Ring and his wife are parents to two daughters. Their family life has involved frequent relocations due to Ring's professional career, including moves to , the , and back to . Lila Ring has played a supportive role in these transitions, managing family responsibilities during Ring's time in with and , where she raised the children while adapting to life in New York and Austin. Following his return to HJK Helsinki in February 2025, the family settled in , where his children attend school and his older daughter plays for HJK's youth team. Ring has publicly discussed the challenges of balancing his nomadic football career with family commitments, highlighting the sacrifices involved, such as spending summers apart from his wife and daughters while they returned to Finland. In 2022, he took a brief leave from Austin FC to attend his grandfather's funeral in Finland, underscoring the importance of family support amid professional demands.

Citizenship and residences

Alexander Ring was born on 9 April 1991 in Helsinki, Finland, granting him Finnish citizenship by birth. Despite relocating abroad at a young age, he has maintained a strong national identity tied to Finland, emphasizing his allegiance in interviews. At age three, Ring's family moved to Bonn, Germany, where he spent much of his childhood; he also resided in Belgium during his formative years before returning to Finland in 2008. His professional career shaped subsequent residences: he lived in Kaiserslautern, Germany, from 2013 to 2017 while playing for 1. FC Kaiserslautern; in New York from 2017 to 2020 with New York City FC; and in Austin, Texas, from 2021 to 2024 with Austin FC. In February 2025, he returned to Helsinki upon signing with HJK Helsinki, where he currently resides. In March 2018, Ring obtained a U.S. , achieving permanent resident status that enabled seamless residency in without impacting his Finnish citizenship or international eligibility. Ring's extensive time across , , , and the has fostered multilingual proficiency in Finnish, German, English, and Swedish, facilitating his adaptation to diverse team environments and international play.

Career statistics

Club statistics

Alexander Ring has amassed 413 appearances and 54 goals in his senior club career across all competitions as of November 17, 2025. He has recorded a total of 35 assists and 28 yellow cards during this period. The following table provides a breakdown of his appearances and goals by club:
ClubStintAppearancesGoals
2010–2011356
(loan)2012–2013140
2013–2017838
2017–202012010
2021–202412712
2025–present4014
Total: 419 appearances, 50 goals (includes verified all-competitions data; minor variance from league-focused sources).

Major Leagues Season-by-Season Summary

Ring's performances in key leagues—, , , and (MLS)—are summarized below, incorporating goals, assists, and yellow cards where tracked. These tables focus on league play, with totals reflecting contributions across seasons.

Veikkausliiga (HJK Helsinki)

SeasonAppearancesGoalsAssistsYellow Cards
20103000
201124232
2025301464
Total571696
Veikkausliiga totals include his initial and return stints with HJK Helsinki (as of November 17, 2025).

Bundesliga (Borussia Mönchengladbach loan)

SeasonAppearancesGoalsAssistsYellow Cards
2011–128001
2012–136001
Total14002
Limited first-team minutes; primary play with reserves.

2. Bundesliga (1. FC Kaiserslautern)

SeasonClubAppearancesGoalsAssistsYellow Cards
2013–1421003
2014–1524604
2015–1621235
2016–1710002
Total768314
Note: Consistent output in ; 2014–15 marked peak scoring season.

(MLS, and )

SeasonClubAppearancesGoalsAssistsYellow Cards
201729032
201830343
201931244
202023422
202131431
202234432
202328210
202434240
Total240212414
MLS totals encompass regular-season play (as of end of 2024); Ring's contributions peaked in with NYCFC, aiding playoff qualification. Playoff appearances add ~20 apps, 1 goal.

Non-League Competitions

Beyond league play, Ring has contributed in domestic cups and qualifiers. Notably, with , he scored 5 goals across US Open Cup matches between 2021 and 2024, including key strikes in knockout rounds. Additional cup appearances include Finnish Cup games with HJK (3 goals total across stints) and DFB-Pokal outings during his German tenure (1 goal). These efforts add approximately 50 appearances and 9 goals to his overall club tally.

International statistics

Alexander Ring represented the senior national team from 2011 to 2017, accumulating 44 caps and scoring 2 goals (no further caps as of November 2025). He also featured for Finland's youth teams, earning a total of 31 caps across various age groups (details in youth international career section). His international goals were scored in a 3–0 friendly victory over on 26 March 2013 and in a 1–0 qualifying win against on 2 September 2017. No official records track assists for his national team appearances. Ring participated in several tournaments during his senior career, including 5 caps in the Baltic Cup—where Finland finished as runners-up in the 2012 edition—and approximately 20 appearances across qualifying campaigns from the 2012 to 2020 cycles (involvement ended in 2017). He primarily played as a (CM) or (DM).
YearCapsGoalsPrimary PositionRecord (W-D-L)
201160CM/DM1-2-3
201270CM/DM2-1-4
201391CM/DM3-3-3
201470CM/DM1-1-5
201550CM/DM0-3-2
201680CM/DM2-2-4
201721CM/DM1-0-1
Total442CM/DM10-12-22
The table summarizes his appearances by year, with outcomes reflecting Finland's results in those matches (as of September 2017); detailed match logs available on official federation records.

Honours

Club honours

During his first stint with , Alexander Ring contributed as a key player to the club's title wins in 2010 and . Ring also helped HJK win the Finnish Cup in , where he scored the second goal in extra time during the 2–1 victory over KuPS in the final. As a contributor upon his return, he was part of the squad that claimed the Finnish Cup in 2025 with a 1–0 win over KuPS in the final. With , Ring participated in MLS Cup playoffs from 2018 to 2020, reaching the Eastern Conference finals in 2019. Ring did not win major honours during his time at from 2013 to 2017. With from 2021 to 2024, he featured in the 2022 MLS Cup playoffs but the team did not advance to win any titles. He returned to HJK in 2025 and played a supporting role in securing the Finnish Cup.

Individual honours

Ring has earned recognition for his standout performances across various leagues and tournaments throughout his professional career. During his debut season with HJK Helsinki in 2011, he was awarded the Veikkausliiga Player of the Month for September after contributing significantly to the team's success with key assists and defensive solidity in midfield. While with , Ring was selected to the roster in 2019, chosen for his technical skills, leadership qualities, and consistent playmaking in the central midfield role during the previous campaign. Upon returning to HJK Helsinki in 2025, Ring recaptured form by earning the Player of the Month award for May, highlighted by his commanding presence in matches that helped stabilize the team's midfield. Ring received a for the 2021 MLS Most Valuable Player award while captaining in their inaugural season, acknowledging his all-around contributions including goals, assists, and defensive metrics.

References

  1. https://fbref.com/en/players/6c1221d6/Alexander-Ring
  2. https://www.transfermarkt.us/alexander-ring/profil/spieler/82113
  3. https://www.austinfc.com/players/alex-ring/
  4. https://www.transfermarkt.us/alexander-ring/leistungsdaten/spieler/82113
  5. https://en.onul.works/w/Alexander_Ring
  6. https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/alexander-ring/
  7. https://www.footballtop.com/players/alexander-ring
  8. https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/new-york-city-fc-sign-finnish-midfielder-alexander-ring
  9. https://www.nycfc.com/news/alexander-ring-joins-nycfc
  10. https://www.transfermarkt.us/alexander-ring/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/82113/plus/0/saison/2009
  11. https://www.fotmob.com/players/181333/alexander-ring
  12. https://www.nycfc.com/news/nycfc-etihad-flight-path-alex-ring
  13. https://www.transfermarkt.us/alexander-ring/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/82113
  14. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cKybSXxIWo
  15. https://www.transfermarkt.us/borussia-monchengladbach/transfers/verein/18/saison_id/2011
  16. https://www.aiscore.com/player-alexander-ring/vmqy9ijxvoi5k9r
  17. https://tribuna.com/en/clubs/borussia-moenchengladbach/transfers/2012-winter/
  18. https://www.statmuse.com/fc/player/alexander-ring-28210
  19. https://www.transfermarkt.us/alexander-ring/verletzungen/spieler/82113
  20. https://www.transfermarkt.us/alexander-ring/transfers/spieler/82113/transfer_id/890460
  21. https://fbref.com/en/players/6c1221d6/matchlogs/2014-2015/c33/summary/Alexander-Ring-Match-Logs
  22. https://www.transfermarkt.us/alexander-ring/transfers/spieler/82113
  23. https://fbref.com/en/players/6c1221d6/matchlogs/2017/summary/Alexander-Ring-Match-Logs
  24. https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/nycfc-name-midfielder-alex-ring-second-captain-club-history
  25. https://www.nycfc.com/news/new-york-city-fc-names-alex-ring-captain-0
  26. https://www.nycfc.com/news/new-york-city-fc-acquires-125m-general-allocation-money-austin-fc-exchange-alex
  27. https://www.transfermarkt.us/nycfc-trade-alex-ring-to-austin-fc-largest-allocation-deal-for-non-us-player/view/news/376323
  28. https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/austin-fc-acquire-midfielder-alex-ring-nycfc-blockbuster-deal
  29. https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/austin-fc-re-sign-alex-ring-as-designated-player
  30. https://www.austinfc.com/news/austin-fc-club-captain-alex-ring-agree-to-new-contract
  31. https://www.austinchronicle.com/features/alex-ring-isnt-austin-fcs-captain-anymore-and-thats-just-fine-with-him-12945452/
  32. https://www.austinfc.com/news/austin-fc-opens-leagues-cup-2024-with-3-2-victory-over-pumas-unam
  33. https://www.austinfc.com/news/austin-fc-announces-roster-decisions-ahead-of-2025-season
  34. https://www.statesman.com/story/sports/mls/2024/11/05/austin-fc-ring-hedges-valencia-finlay-options-declined/76077551007/
  35. https://footystats.org/players/finland/alexander-ring
  36. https://www.transfermarkt.us/alexander-ring/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/82113/saison/2025/wettbewerb/ECLQ/verein/1008
  37. https://www.uefa.com/uefaconferenceleague/clubs/players/250013332--alexander-ring/statistics/
  38. https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/158329/alexander-ring
  39. https://www.flashscore.com/news/soccer-suomen-cup-pukki-the-hero-as-hjk-helsinki-beat-kups-in-suomen-cup-final/EBC1fzx0/
  40. https://www.flashscore.com/player/ring-alexander/0r9cVEJa/
  41. https://www.transfermarkt.com/alexander-ring/nationalmannschaft/spieler/82113
  42. https://nypost.com/2018/10/16/how-nycfc-helped-alex-ring-evolve-into-mls-top-midfielder/
  43. https://www.footballdatabase.eu/en/player/details/113263-alexander-ring
  44. https://www.reuters.com/article/sports/ring-free-kick-fires-finland-to-1-0-win-over-iceland-idUSL8N1LJ0FX/
  45. https://www.hudsonriverblue.com/alex-ring-retires-from-international-play-2/
  46. https://www.nycfc.com/news/alex-ring-announces-international-retirement
  47. https://www.soccerdonna.de/en/lila-ring/profil/spieler_85066.html
  48. https://www.hjk.fi/en/artikkelit/naiset/tu18-suomelle-voitto-englannin-koulujoukkueesta-lila-raihalan-maalilla/
  49. https://www.thestriker.com/2022/06/01/alex-ring-grandfather-family-austin-fc
  50. https://www.iltalehti.fi/perheartikkelit/a/146e5d42-325c-462b-ac53-091cc59a5a2f
  51. https://www.hs.fi/urheilu/art-2000005076258.html
  52. https://yle.fi/a/74-20141704
  53. https://www.suomifutis.com/2025/02/alex-ring-sai-tarjouksia-jatkaa-ulkomailla-tama-erityinen-syy-sai-tahden-palaamaan-hjkhon-ei-se-raha-merkitse-silloin-samaa/
  54. https://www.nycfc.com/news/nycfc-duo-receive-us-green-cards
  55. https://www.statesman.com/story/sports/mls/2024/02/18/austin-fc-mls-defenders-brendan-hines-ike-guilherme-biro-languages-alex-ring-leo-visnen/72648436007/
  56. https://www.transfermarkt.com/alexander-ring/leistungsdaten/spieler/82113
  57. https://www.transfermarkt.us/alexander-ring/nationalmannschaft/spieler/82113
  58. https://yle.fi/a/3-5428462
  59. https://www.transfermarkt.us/hjk-helsinki/erfolge/verein/1008
  60. https://www.hs.fi/urheilu/art-2000002506340.html
  61. https://yle.fi/a/3-5430796
  62. https://sbisoccer.com/2019/04/report-atletico-madrid-to-be-2019-mls-all-star-game-opponents
  63. https://www.veikkaus.fi/fi/veikkausuutiset/sponsorointi2023/jalkapallo/veikkausliiga-toukokuu-pelaaja
  64. https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/major-league-soccer-announces-2021-year-end-awards-nominees
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