Nick Ansell
FullnameNicolas Clive Ansell
Birth date2 February 1994 (age 32)
Birth placeMelbourne, Victoria, Australia
Height1.86 m (6.1 ft)[1]
PositionCentral defender
CurrentclubNakhon Ratchasima
Clubnumber29
Youthyears 12009
Youthclubs 1VIS
Youthyears 22010–2012
Youthclubs 2Melbourne Victory
Years 12012–2017
Caps 171
Goals 11
Clubs 1Melbourne Victory
Years 22011
Caps 29
Goals 20
Clubs 2→ FFV NTC (loan)
Years 32012
Caps 320
Goals 30
Clubs 3→ Bentleigh Greens (loan)
Years 42017–2018
Caps 48
Goals 40
Clubs 4Tondela
Years 52018–2019
Caps 57
Goals 50
Clubs 5Melbourne Victory
Years 62019
Caps 615
Goals 60
Clubs 6Jeonnam Dragons
Years 72020
Caps 75
Goals 70
Clubs 7Gyeongnam
Years 82020–2021
Caps 814
Goals 80
Clubs 8Melbourne Victory
Years 92021–2024
Caps 928
Goals 91
Clubs 9Adelaide United
Years 102024–2025
Caps 1023
Goals 100
Clubs 10Nakhon Ratchasima
Nationalyears 12010
Nationalcaps 11
Nationalgoals 10
Nationalteam 1Australia U17
Nationalyears 22011
Nationalcaps 21
Nationalgoals 20
Nationalteam 2Australia U20
Nationalyears 32014
Nationalcaps 32
Nationalgoals 30
Nationalteam 3Australia U23
Club-update15 June 2025
Ntupdate20 June 2017

Nicolas Clive Ansell (born 2 February 1994) is an Australian professional soccer player who last played as a centre back for Nakhon Ratchasima in the Thai League 1.

Since August 2025, he has served as the junior Technical Director of State League Division 2 South-East side Doncaster Rovers SC.

Early and personal life

Ansell was born on 2 February 1994 in Melbourne to Warren and Andree Ansell.[2][3] His mother was a former ballet dancer.[2] Raised in Doncaster East, Victoria Ansell grew up in an Australian rules football family.[2] He piqued interest in both Aussie rules and soccer growing up, playing until he was 12 when he decided to focus on soccer after receiving too many injuries from football.[2][4] He began playing soccer with Doncaster Rovers, Box Hill United, and Bulleen Lions before joining the Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS).[2][5] Despite choosing soccer, Ansell claimed in an interview to have excelled in football, winning numerous awards including the best-and-fairest league award.[2]

Ansell attended Carey Baptist Grammar School where he played futsal and football.[2] He is close friends with Jack Viney, Kristian Jaksch, Jason Ashby, Nathan Hrovat and Jackson Macrae, all of whom became professional football players.[3] Ansell has been married to Nadene since July 2022. The couple was engaged in November 2020. Their wedding was held in South Melbourne where over 150 guests were present. Numerous professional soccer players also attended the ceremony, including former football player and close friend Kristian Jaksch.[6] Outside of soccer, Ansell studied property development and real estate at Deakin University.[2]

Club career

Ansell spent several years in the Melbourne Victory youth squad before a breakout 2012–13 season, which saw him rewarded with a senior A-League contract. Considered an upcoming future star, he made an immediate impact as a commanding centre back, playing a key role in Melbourne Victory's 2014/15 Premiership-Championship double.

Ansell left the Victory on 12 May 2017.[7]

In June 2017, Ansell signed with Portuguese Primeira Liga side Tondela.[8]

In July 2018, Ansell returned to Melbourne to re-join Melbourne Victory.[9]

On 31 January 2019, Ansell departed the Victory a second time, joining K League 2 team Jeonnam Dragons[10][11]

In October 2020, Ansell returned to Melbourne Victory for a third time.[12] He was released on 11 June 2021.[13]

In July 2021, Ansell joined Adelaide United for the 2021–22 A-League season.[14]

In May 2024, he was released from Adelaide United after his contract expired.[15]

Coaching career

On August 10, 2025, Ansell was announced as the new junior Technical Director of Doncaster Rovers, who play in State League Division 2 South-East.[16]

Career statistics

[17][18]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cup[a]League cup[b]ContinentalTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
FFV NTC2011[19]Victorian Premier League90———90
Bentleigh Greens2012[20]150———150
Melbourne Victory2012–13A-League80———80
2013–14140——41181
2014–1522100——221
2015–168000—71151
2016–1719040——230
Total7114000112863
Tondela2017–18Primeira Liga801010—100
Melbourne Victory2018–19A-League7010—0080
Jeonnam Dragons2019K League 215000——150
Gyeongnam20205010——60
Melbourne Victory2020–21A-League Men140——50190
Adelaide United2021–222010——30
2022–237000——70
2023–2419100——191
Total281100000291
Nakhon Ratchasima2024–25Thai League 12200010—230
Career total194280201622194
  1. ^ Includes FFA/Australia Cup, Taça de Portugal, Korean FA Cup, and Thai FA Cup
  2. ^ Includes Taça da Liga and Thai League Cup

Honours

Melbourne Victory

References

  1. ^ "Nick Ansell". melbournevictory.com.au. Melbourne Victory. Archived from the original on 10 December 2015. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  2. ^ "Journey to Victory: Nick Ansell". Melbourne Victory. 2 June 2016. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  3. ^ Davutovic, David (2 February 2013). "Nick Ansell lands three-year Melbourne Victory contract after rocky road". news.com.au. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  4. ^ Hogan, Jesse (14 May 2015). "Melbourne Victory defender Nick Ansell savouring grand final chance". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived 10 November 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  5. ^ "My first club: Nick Ansell, football champion". Inside Sport. 19 November 2019. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  6. ^ Epstein, Jackie (12 July 2022). "Nick Ansell married partner Nadene at fairytale Luminare nuptials". Herald Sun. Archived 20 March 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  7. ^ "Melbourne Victory confirms player departures". Melbourne Victory FC. 12 May 2017. Archived from the original on 24 September 2017. Retrieved 13 May 2017.
  8. ^ Fruci, Joel (20 June 2017). "Former Melbourne Victory defender finds a European home". Outside90.com. Archived from the original on 23 June 2017. Retrieved 20 June 2017.
  9. ^ "Victory signs Championship-winner Nick Ansell". Melbourne Victory. 20 July 2018.
  10. ^ "VICTORY CONFIRM ANSELL-DONACHIE SWITCH". FourFourTwo. Retrieved 1 February 2019.
  11. ^ Seroukas, John (31 January 2019). "Signing news: Familiar face returns to Melbourne Victory while defender departs". A-League. Retrieved 1 February 2019.
  12. ^ "Nick Ansell returns home". 22 October 2020.
  13. ^ "Players depart Victory first team". Melbourne Victory FC. 11 June 2021. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  14. ^ "Reds sign Ansell for upcoming season". Adelaide United. 30 July 2021.
  15. ^ Bates, Laura (17 May 2024). "Reds Farewell Three Defenders From A-league Men's Side". Adelaide United. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  16. ^ "A-League Champion Returns to Doncaster Rovers". Doncaster Rovers - Instagram. 10 August 2025. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  17. ^ "N. Ansell". Soccerway. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
  18. ^ "Nicholas Ansell". ALeagueStats.com. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  19. ^ Punshon, John. "2011 Victorian Men's Premier League Results". OzFootball.net. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  20. ^ Punshon, John. "2012 Victorian Men's Premier League Results". OzFootball.net. Retrieved 14 June 2023.