Jay Herdman

Jay Joshua Herdman (born 14 August 2004) is a New Zealand professional footballer who currently plays for Canadian club Whitecaps FC 2 in MLS Next Pro. He is a youth international for New Zealand.

Early life
Herdman began playing youth soccer at age four with Hibiscus Coast. He moved to Canada at age 8, when his father was named the head coach of the Canada women's team. He later played in Canada with Surrey United SC, before joining the Vancouver Whitecaps Academy in August 2017. He spent time with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC first team during their 2021 and 2022 pre-seasons, including making an appearance in a pre-season fixture against Indy Eleven.

Club career
In March 2022, Herdman signed a contract with Whitecaps FC 2. He made his professional debut on 26 March against Houston Dynamo 2. In November 2023, he signed an extension with the team for the 2024 season. After participating in the 2024 pre-season with the Vancouver Whitecaps first team, he signed a short-term loan agreement with them ahead of their CONCACAF Champions Cup Round One first leg against Tigres UANL, but was an unused substitute in the match. He signed addition short term loans on March 1 and April 19. On April 20, he made his Major League Soccer debut, in a substitute appearance against Seattle Sounders FC.

International career
Herdman is eligible for New Zealand through birth, England through parentage and Canada through residency.

In April 2022, he was called up to the Canadian U20 team for the first time for a camp in Costa Rica. He made his debut in a friendly during the camp against Costa Rica U20.

In August 2022, he was named in the New Zealand U19 squad to contest the 2022 OFC U-19 Championship. On 7 September 2022, Herdman made his debut scored his first goal against Cook Islands in an 8–0 win. Herdman won the Golden Ball, as the top player in the tournament, which New Zealand won.

In March 2023, he was called up to the New Zealand U22 for friendlies against China U24 (in preparation for the 2024 Olympic team, which is a U23 tournament). He debuted for the U22s in the first match on 23 March, and scored a late winner in a 2-1 victory on 26 March.

In May 2023, he was named to the New Zealand U20 for the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup. He made his World Cup debut in the first match against Guatemala U20 on 20 May. On 23 May, he scored in a 2-2 draw against Uzbekistan U20.

Personal life
Herdman is the son of current Toronto FC head coach John Herdman.

Honours
New Zealand
 * OFC U-19 Championship: 2022

Individual
 * OFC U-19 Championship Golden Ball: 2022