Callum McCowatt


Callum William McCowatt is a New Zealand professional footballer who plays as a left winger for Danish Superliga club Silkeborg 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 2017–18 [New Zealand Football Championship#Grand final|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.

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.

Career statistics

International

No.CapDateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1114 November 2019Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Republic of Ireland1–01–3Friendly
21216 June 2023Friends Arena, Stockholm, Sweden1–01–4Friendly
32015 November 2024Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, New Zealand8–18–12026 [FIFA World Cup qualification (OFC)|2026 FIFA World Cup qualification]
42118 November 2024Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand1–08–02026 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Auckland City
Eastern Suburbs
Silkeborg
Individual