Deklan Wynne

Deklan Terrence Wynne was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, to Terrence and Joanne on 20 March 1995. His younger brother, Ronan, played soccer for the Denver Pioneers.{{cite web |title=Ronan Wynne - Men's Soccer |url=https://denverpioneers.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/ronan-wynne/4910 |website=University of Denver Athletics |access-date=11 April 2024 |language=en}} The family moved to New Zealand in 2010 when Wynne was 14 years old.

Wynne signed for Wanderers SC from East Coast Bays in 2013.{{cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11355498|title=Football: Phoenix pair to miss All Whites tour|date=8 November 2014|publisher=The New Zealand Herald |access-date=6 December 2014}} On 13 August 2015, Wynne signed with United Soccer League side Whitecaps FC 2, the reserve team of the Vancouver Whitecaps.{{cite news |title=All Whites defender Deklan Wynne signed by Vancouver Whitecaps |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/nz-teams/71129191/all-whites-defender-deklan-wynne-signed-by-vancouver-whitecaps |access-date=11 April 2024 |work=Stuff |date=14 August 2015}}{{cite news |title=Wynne joins Vancouver Whitecaps |url=https://www.sporty.co.nz/nzfootball/newsarticle/57222?newsfeedId=newslist |access-date=11 April 2024 |work=New Zealand Football}} Head coach Alan Koch said that Wynne had a "cultured left foot and is very comfortable on the ball".{{cite news |title=Whitecaps FC 2 sign New Zealand national team defender Deklan Wynne |publisher=Vancouver Whitecaps FC |url=https://www.whitecapsfc.com/news/whitecaps-fc-2-sign-new-zealand-national-team-defender-deklan-wynne |access-date=11 April 2024 |date=13 August 2015 |language=en}} He played four games as the 2015 USL season drew to a close and was limited to eleven appearances in the 2016 USL season as he missed eight months with a groin injury.{{cite news |last1=McColl |first1=Michael |title=Wynneing Mentality: Deklan Wynne back in Vancouver and looking to "catch the eye" of Carl Robinson |url=https://aftn.ca/wynneing-mentality-deklan-wynne-back-in-vancouver-and-looking-to-catch-the-eye-of-carl-robinson/ |access-date=11 April 2024 |work=AFTN |date=28 February 2017}} Despite these injury setbacks, head coach Carl Robinson rated him as a player with high potential.{{cite news |last1=McColl |first1=Michael |title=Around The League: Deklan Wynne excelling in Colorado after "great move" from Vancouver |url=https://aftn.ca/around-the-league-deklan-wynne-excelling-in-colorado-after-great-move-from-vancouver/ |access-date=11 April 2024 |work=AFTN |date=11 July 2018}} He was retained by new head coach Rich Fagan.{{cite news |title=WFC2 Re-Signs Sanner, Wynne |url=https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/761711-wfc2-re-signs-sanner-wynne |access-date=11 April 2024 |work=USL Championship |date=24 February 2017 |language=en-us}} He experienced more game time in the 2017 USL season and ended his time at the club with two goals and one assist in 29 starts and six substitute appearances; he was named on the USL Team of the Week for Week 3 for his performance in a win over Seattle Sounders FC 2.{{cite news |title=Whitecaps sign D Wynne, trade him to Rapids |url=https://www.tsn.ca/whitecaps-sign-defender-wynne-trade-him-to-rapids-for-allocation-money-1.950185 |access-date=11 April 2024 |work=TSN |date=21 December 2017 |language=en}}{{cite web |title=Deklan Wynne |url=https://www.coloradorapids.com/players/deklan-wynne/ |website=Colorado Rapids |access-date=11 April 2024 |language=en}} At one stage the Whitecaps had two other New Zealanders besides Wynne in goalkeeper Stefan Marinovic and forward Myer Bevan.{{cite news |title=What’s To Become of the Legendary Vancouver All-Whitecaps? |url=https://theniche-cache.com/football/2017/12/1/whats-to-become-of-the-legendary-vancouver-all-whitecaps |access-date=11 April 2024 |work=The Niche Cache |date=1 December 2017}}

Whitecaps traded Wynne to the Colorado Rapids on 21 December 2017 in exchange for $100,000 of Targeted Allocation Money.{{cite web|url=https://www.coloradorapids.com/post/2017/12/21/colorado-rapids-acquire-defender-deklan-wynne-vancouver-whitecaps-fc|title=Colorado Rapids acquire defender Deklan Wynne from Vancouver Whitecaps FC|website=coloradorapids.com|publisher=Colorado Rapids|date=21 December 2017|access-date=11 June 2020}} The Rapids were coached by fellow New Zealander Anthony Hudson and interim general manager Padraig Smith said that Wynne would be a "long-term solution" for the club.{{cite news |title=Former All Whites coach Anthony Hudson brings Deklan Wynne to Colorado Rapids |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/nz-teams/100110373/former-all-whites-coach-anthony-hudson-brings-deklan-wynne-to-colorado-rapids |access-date=11 April 2024 |work=Stuff |date=21 December 2017}} On 31 March 2018, he played in a 3–0 win over Philadelphia Union and won a place on the MLS Team of the Week.{{cite news |title=MLS Team of the Week presented by Audi {{!}} Dominique Badji and Deklan Wynne {{!}} Week 5 |url=https://www.coloradorapids.com/news/mls-team-week-presented-audi-dominique-badji-and-deklan-wynne-week-5 |access-date=11 April 2024 |work=Colorado Rapids |date=2 April 2018 |language=en}} On 22 September, he was sent off for serious foul play in a 2–1 defeat at Columbus Crew. However, the red card was rescinded on appeal.{{cite news |last1=Rapids |first1=Colorado |title=Deklan Wynne's red card rescinded by independent panel |url=https://www.coloradorapids.com/news/deklan-wynnes-red-card-rescinded-independent-panel |access-date=11 April 2024 |work=Colorado Rapids |date=28 September 2018 |language=en}}

The defensive back three of Wynne, Tommy Smith and Danny Wilson struggled in the 2019 season as the Rapids cycled between head coaches from Hudson to Conor Casey and then Robin Fraser.{{cite news |last1=Pollard |first1=Matt |title=Danny Wilson Redemption Arc: The Underrated key to the Rapids Backline |url=https://lastwordonsports.com/soccer/2020/11/20/danny-wilson-redemption-arc/ |access-date=11 April 2024 |work=Last Word On Soccer |date=20 November 2020}} He did not feature at all under Fraser in the 2020 season as midfielder Kellyn Acosta was preferred out of position when regular left-back Sam Vines was injured.{{cite news |last1=Goodman |first1=Soccer Rabbi-Mark |title=Backpass: The first cut is |url=https://holdingthehighline.substack.com/p/backpass-the-first-cut-is |access-date=11 April 2024 |work=Holding the High Line |date=1 December 2020}} Wynne was the only player to have their contract option declined at the season's end.{{cite news |last1=Goodman |first1=Soccer Rabbi-Mark |title=Backpass: Standing Pat for 2021 |url=https://holdingthehighline.substack.com/p/backpass-standing-pat-for-2021 |access-date=11 April 2024 |work=Holding the High Line |date=15 December 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.coloradorapids.com/post/2020/12/14/colorado-rapids-announce-roster-moves-ahead-2021-season|title=Colorado Rapids Announce Roster Moves Ahead of 2021 Season |work=Colorado Rapids}}

Wynne signed with Phoenix Rising of the USL Championship on 14 January 2021, where head coach Rick Schantz was impressed by his footballing intelligence.{{cite web|url=https://www.phxrisingfc.com/news_article/show/1140723|title=Phoenix Rising Signs Defender Deklan Wynne|publisher=Phoenix Rising Communications|date=14 January 2021|access-date=14 January 2021|archive-date=10 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010215812/https://www.phxrisingfc.com/news_article/show/1140723|url-status=dead}} Wynne was loaned to fellow USL Championship side OKC Energy on 1 July 2021.{{cite news |last1=Communications |first1=Energy FC |title=Energy Fc Signs New Zealand International Deklan Wynne To Loan Deal |url=https://www.energyfc.com/news_article/show/1172200 |access-date=11 April 2024 |work=OKC Energy FC |date=1 July 2021 |language=en-us}} He played 14 games under Leigh Veidman in the 2021 season.

On 28 January 2022, Wynne signed with Detroit City ahead of their inaugural USL Championship season.{{cite web |title=Detroit City FC Signs Defender Deklan Wynne |url=https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1206010 |website=USLChampionship.com |date=28 January 2022 |access-date=28 January 2022}} He was one of head coach Trevor James's most selected players, becoming the second-highest assist maker after Antoine Hoppenot.{{cite news |title=Deklan Wynne Selected for the New Zealand National Team's 24-Man Squad |url=https://www.detcityfc.com/news/2022/09/11/deklan-wynne-nz-selection/ |access-date=11 April 2024 |work=Detroit City FC |date=11 September 2022}} He was named as defender of the year at the league's Mid-Season Award.{{cite news |last1=Bianchi |first1=Nolan |title=Nate Steinwascher, Deklan Wynne, Trevor James give Detroit City FC midseason awards haul |url=https://eu.detroitnews.com/story/sports/soccer/2022/07/21/dcfcs-nate-steinwascher-deklan-wynne-trevor-james-win-midseason-awards/10116765002/ |access-date=11 April 2024 |work=The Detroit News}}

On 3 January 2023, Wynne signed a multi-year deal with USL Championship side Charleston Battery.{{cite news |title=Battery make move for New Zealand international Deklan Wynne |url=https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1253483 |access-date=11 April 2024 |work=USL Championship |date=3 January 2023 |language=en-us}} He said he was drawn to the club by the attacking philosophy of head coach Ben Pirmann.{{cite news |title=Detroit City FC loses Deklan Wynne to Ben Pirmann's Charleston Battery |url=https://eu.detroitnews.com/story/sports/soccer/2023/01/03/detroit-city-fc-loses-deklan-wynne-to-ben-pirmanns-charleston-battery/69773551007/ |access-date=11 April 2024 |work=The Detroit News}} He left Charleston following the 2023 season.{{cite news |last1=Murray |first1=Nicholas |title=Barajas leads Charleston Battery returnees in first roster moves |url=https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1292954-barajas-leads-charleston-battery-returnees-in-first-roster-moves |access-date=11 April 2024 |work=USL Championship |date=1 December 2023 |language=en-us}}

On 10 April 2024, Wynne signed a short-term deal with League One side Port Vale until the end of the season, following a successful trial period.{{cite news |title=Deklan Wynne is a Valiant |url=https://www.port-vale.co.uk/news/2024/april/deklan-wynne-is-a-valiant/ |access-date=11 April 2024 |work=Port Vale F.C. |date=10 April 2024 |language=en-gb}} He was signed with a view to the following campaign as only 16 days remained of the 2023–24 season, though injuries to Dan Jones and Mitch Clark had left manager Darren Moore with only limited options at full-back for the club's fight against relegation.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Mike |title=Vale back in drop zone as they are outclassed at Peterborough |url=https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/vale-back-in-drop-zone-as-they-are |access-date=11 April 2024 |work=Valiant's Substack |date=11 April 2024}} Wynne himself picked up a muscle strain, however, and did not feature before the season's end.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Mike |title=Getting on with plans after saying goodbye to League One |url=https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/getting-on-with-plans-after-saying |access-date=28 April 2024 |work=Valiant's Substack |date=28 April 2024}} He returned to the club on trial the following pre-season, though left after the club instead signed Sam Hart.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Mike |title=Transfer and season ticket updates from chief executive |url=https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/transfer-and-season-ticket-updates |access-date=11 June 2024 |work=Valiant's Substack |date=10 June 2024}}{{cite news |title=Nearly Men 31: Deklan Wynne, the International left-back who never played competitively for Vale |url=https://www.onevalefan.co.uk/2024/08/nearly-men-31-deklan-wynne-the-international-left-back-who-never-played-for-vale/ |access-date=29 August 2024 |work=onevalefan.co.uk |date=29 August 2024}}

Wynne signed up with NPL Victoria club Green Gully for the 2025 season.{{cite news |title=All Whites defender Deklan Wynne signs for Melbourne club Green Gully |url=https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2024/12/17/all-whites-defender-deklan-wynne-signs-for-melbourne-club-green-gully/ |access-date=9 February 2025 |work=Friends of Football |date=16 December 2024 |language=en-NZ}}

Wynne first represented New Zealand at senior level, his international debut came against China in November 2014 having been called up due to injuries to Louis Fenton and Tom Doyle. Wynne provided the assist for Chris Wood to equalise at 1–1.{{cite web|url=http://www.nzfootball.co.nz/brave-all-whites-earn-draw/|title=Brave All Whites earn draw|publisher=New Zealand Football|access-date=6 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170423074216/http://www.nzfootball.co.nz/brave-all-whites-earn-draw/|archive-date=23 April 2017|url-status=dead}} He made further international appearances against Thailand four days later. In March 2015, he played against South Korea.

Wynne was selected for the New Zealand national under-20 team to play at the 2015 U-20 World Cup in May 2015. He played in all possible matches for New Zealand; three group stage games against Ukraine, United States, Myanmar and a Round of 16 loss against Portugal.{{FIFA player|385417}}

In July 2015, Wynne was again selected by the New Zealand national under-23 team, known as the "Oly Whites" for the 2015 Pacific Games football tournament, he played in the final group stage game against New Caledonia. As non-Pacific Games Council members, New Zealand were not able to qualify for the Pacific Games semi-final, but as members of FIFA and the International Olympic Committee, were able to qualify for the 2016 Summer Olympics qualifying semi-final stage. Wynne played in the semi-final, which New Zealand won 2–0 against Vanuatu. Vanuatu formally protested the eligibility of Wynne following their 2–0 loss at the semi-final stage of the Olympic Qualifying section in which Wynne featured. The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) awarded a 3–0 victory to Vanuatu after finding that Wynne was ineligible to play in the Olympic qualifying rounds.{{cite web|title=Vanuatu and Fiji to contest Olympic final|url=http://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc/News/ViewArticle/tabid/125/Article/fe27fa56-5086-416f-ab70-c10bc4a77e2b/language/en-US/Default.aspx|publisher=OceaniaFootball.com|access-date=14 July 2015|date=12 July 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150715085904/http://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc/News/ViewArticle/tabid/125/Article/fe27fa56-5086-416f-ab70-c10bc4a77e2b/language/en-US/Default.aspx|archive-date=15 July 2015}}

New Zealand Football announced that they would be challenging the decision, claiming that the Pacific Games Council confirmed the eligibility of the squad in advance of the tournament and that they acted in "good faith".{{cite web|title=NZF statement: Player eligibility|url=http://www.nzfootball.co.nz/nzf-statement-pacific-games-player-eligibility/|publisher=nzfootball.co.nz|access-date=14 July 2015|date=12 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713173348/http://www.nzfootball.co.nz/nzf-statement-pacific-games-player-eligibility/|archive-date=13 July 2015|url-status=dead}} To be eligible for the New Zealand representative team, Wynne, or a parent or grandparent would need to have been born in New Zealand, or he would have needed to have become a New Zealand citizen before the age of 18 – the age when FIFA's requirement for a player to live on the territory of the football association for five years would take effect.{{cite web|title=FIFA Statutes (2015 edition)|url=https://www.fifa.com/mm/Document/AFFederation/Generic/02/58/14/48/2015FIFAStatutesEN_Neutral.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150530074924/http://www.fifa.com/mm/Document/AFFederation/Generic/02/58/14/48/2015FIFAStatutesEN_Neutral.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 May 2015|publisher=FIFA.com|date=17 March 2015|access-date=14 July 2015|page=64}} An appeal to the OFC against their expulsion from Olympic qualifying was rejected in October 2015.{{cite news | url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/73317334/New-Zealand-Footballs-Olympics-eligibility-appeal-to-Oceania-fails | title=New Zealand Football's Olympics eligibility appeal to Oceania fails | work=Stuff | date=23 October 2016 | access-date=1 June 2016 | author=Johnstone, Duncan}} In January 2016, New Zealand Football successfully applied for an exemption from the FIFA eligibility requirements, making Wynne eligible to play for New Zealand.{{cite news | url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/nz-teams/75939030/Deklan-Wynne-now-eligible-to-represent-New-Zealand-in-football | title=Deklan Wynne now eligible to represent New Zealand in football | work=Stuff | date=15 January 2016 | access-date=1 June 2016 | author=Strang, Ben}}

He was selected in the squad for the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup. He described his selection as "like a dream come true".{{cite news |last1=Cutri |first1=Gino |title=WFC2's Wynne set to take on Ronaldo and Chicharito at Confederations Cup |publisher=Vancouver Whitecaps FC |url=https://www.whitecapsfc.com/news/wfc2s-wynne-set-take-ronaldo-and-chicharito-confederations-cup |access-date=11 April 2024 |date=15 June 2017 |language=en}} He played in New Zealand's defeats to Russia and Mexico, though was dropped for Tom Doyle for the final group game against Portugal. He played both legs of the OFC–CONMEBOL play-off tie for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification process, which ended in a 2–0 aggregate defeat to Peru. This was his last international appearance for five years, with his next game being against Australia in November 2022.{{cite news |last1=Short |first1=Seb |title=Who is surprise Port Vale recruit Deklan Wynne? |url=https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/who-is-surprise-port-vale-recruit-deklan-wynne/ |access-date=11 April 2024 |work=FootballLeagueWorld |date=11 April 2024 |language=en}} He was recalled to the national team by interim head coach Darren Bazeley in March 2023.{{cite news |title=Interim All Whites coach Darren Bazeley: 'I'm going to enjoy this opportunity' |url=https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2023/03/13/interim-all-whites-coach-darren-bazeley-im-going-to-enjoy-this-opportunity/ |access-date=11 April 2024 |work=Friends of Football |date=12 March 2023 |language=en-NZ}}

Wynne is a modern left-back or left-wing-back with good quickness, agility and stamina.{{cite news |title=All Whites defender Deklan Wynne signs for second-tier club in United States |url=https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2023/01/04/all-whites-defender-deklan-wynne-signs-for-second-tier-club-in-united-states/ |access-date=11 April 2024 |work=Friends of Football |date=3 January 2023 |language=en-NZ}} A left-footed player, he can also play as a right-sided centre-back.

{{updated|match played 16 March 2024}}

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{{reflist}}

• {{FIFA player}}
• {{MLS player}}
• {{WorldFootball}}

{{New Zealand squad 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wynne, Deklan}}

Category:1995 births

Category:Living people

Category:Soccer players from Johannesburg

Category:South African emigrants to New Zealand

Category:New Zealand men's association footballers

Category:Men's association football fullbacks

Category:New Zealand Football Championship players

Category:New Zealand men's international footballers

Category:New Zealand men's under-23 international footballers

Category:New Zealand men's under-20 international footballers

Category:2017 FIFA Confederations Cup players

Category:USL Championship players

Category:Major League Soccer players

Category:Victorian Premier League players

Category:Wanderers Special Club players

Category:Whitecaps FC 2 players

Category:Vancouver Whitecaps FC players

Category:Colorado Rapids players

Category:Phoenix Rising FC players

Category:OKC Energy FC players

Category:Detroit City FC players

Category:Charleston Battery players

Category:Port Vale F.C. players

Category:New Zealand expatriate men's association footballers

Category:New Zealand expatriate sportspeople in Canada

Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in Canada

Category:New Zealand expatriate sportspeople in the United States

Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in the United States

Category:New Zealand expatriate sportspeople in England

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England

Category:New Zealand expatriate sportspeople in Australia

Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in Australia

Category:21st-century New Zealand sportsmen