Nick Hagglund Bio
Nicholas Stuart Hagglund (born September 14, 1992) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for Major League Soccer club FC Cincinnati. Standing at 5 feet 11 inches tall, he is recognized for his strong defensive skills, leadership at the back, and ability to contribute on set pieces. After playing college soccer for the Xavier Musketeers, he was drafted in the first round of the 2014 MLS SuperDraft by Toronto FC and has since established himself as a reliable center-back in the league.
Early Life and Background
Nicholas Stuart Hagglund was born on September 14, 1992, in Cincinnati, Ohio, in the United States. Growing up in the Cincinnati area, he attended Lakota West High School, where he developed his early interest in soccer. The local soccer scene in Ohio gave him a strong foundation in the sport and helped him attract the attention of college recruiters.
After completing high school, Hagglund committed to Xavier University, where he played four years of college soccer for the Musketeers. Over the course of his collegiate career, he made 81 appearances, starting in 80, while scoring four goals and adding 11 assists. His consistent performances at Xavier helped him earn national recognition heading into the professional ranks.
Path to Soccer
Hagglund’s path to professional soccer was built on steady progress through the youth and college ranks. During his time at Xavier, he was named Big East Defensive Player of the Year for 2013, along with First Team All-Big East honors. Earlier in his college career, he earned Atlantic 10 Defensive Player honors and was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Conference First Team.
In his freshman season at Xavier, Hagglund was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team and the Atlantic 10 All-Tournament Team, signaling his potential as a future professional. These achievements established him as one of the top collegiate defenders in the country and paved the way for his entry into Major League Soccer.
Nick Hagglund Career
Early Career (2014–2015)
On January 16, 2014, Nicholas Stuart Hagglund was drafted in the first round, tenth overall, of the 2014 MLS SuperDraft by Toronto FC. He made his professional debut in a 2–0 win over the Columbus Crew on April 5, 2014, marking the start of his MLS career. On September 27, 2014, he scored his first two professional goals in a 3–2 come-from-behind home victory against the Portland Timbers, announcing himself as a threat from the back.
In August 2015, Hagglund was temporarily loaned to Toronto’s lower-division USL club, Toronto FC II, where he continued to gain valuable match experience. This loan spell helped him refine his defensive craft and prepare for a larger role with the senior squad.
Toronto FC Breakthrough (2014–2018)
Hagglund became a regular contributor for Toronto FC during the 2016 season and earned a reputation as a dependable defender. On November 30, 2016, he scored the goal that put Toronto FC ahead 3–2 against the Montreal Impact in the Eastern Conference Final. That strike tied the aggregate score at 5–5 and forced extra time, where Toronto scored two more goals to win 5–2 and earn their first-ever appearance in the MLS Cup against Seattle Sounders FC.
Across his time with Toronto FC, Hagglund was part of a rising squad that competed at the top of the Eastern Conference and reached the MLS Cup Final. He also made appearances for Toronto FC II in the USL while continuing to develop his game with the senior team.
FC Cincinnati Era (2019–Present)
On January 23, 2019, Nicholas Stuart Hagglund was traded to his hometown team FC Cincinnati ahead of their inaugural season in MLS. Cincinnati received the No. 24 Allocation Ranking and Hagglund from Toronto in exchange for $200,000 in General Allocation Money in 2019, $100,000 in Targeted Allocation Money in 2020, and the No. 1 Allocation Ranking. He scored his first goal for the club on October 14, 2020, against the Columbus Crew, heading home the winning goal from a set piece in the 49th minute to give Cincinnati their first-ever MLS win over their interstate rival.
Following the 2021 season, Cincinnati declined their contract option on Hagglund, but he re-signed with the team on January 14, 2022. He was a regular contributor for Cincinnati in 2021, 2022, and 2023, making 24, 32, and 27 regular-season appearances in those seasons. However, he was then plagued by a string of injuries that limited his playing time beginning in the 2023 postseason.
On November 1, 2023, the team confirmed that Hagglund would miss the rest of the playoffs due to an undisclosed injury, later revealed to be a torn hamstring. He spent the offseason recovering from surgery and missed the first four matches of the 2024 season. He made his return as a substitute in the second half of a home match against New York City FC on March 23, 2024, going on to make ten appearances that season. However, on June 22, he had to be carried off the pitch on a stretcher after suffering a broken fibula from a collision with New England Revolution’s Esmir Bajraktarevic. On July 5, the club announced that he had undergone successful ankle ligament reconstructive surgery and would miss the remainder of the 2024 season to recover.
Hagglund’s recovery took longer than expected, as an MRI scan taken three months after surgery revealed the fibula still needed more time to heal. His contract was renewed for three more years in January 2025, and he continued his rehabilitation at Cincinnati’s 2025 preseason camp. Working through pain, he tried to speed up his recovery timeline in anticipation of the March 2025 international duty window. He played in two FC Cincinnati 2 matches in early March before making his return to MLS play on March 22.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of Nicholas Stuart Hagglund’s most memorable moments came on November 30, 2016, when his goal against the Montreal Impact sent Toronto FC to their first-ever MLS Cup. He also made history on October 14, 2020, by scoring FC Cincinnati’s first-ever MLS win over the Columbus Crew. His continued resilience through serious injuries in 2023 and 2024 has marked him as one of the league’s most determined defenders.
Nick Hagglund Family
Family Background and Soccer Lineage
Limited public information is available about Nicholas Stuart Hagglund’s family background. Born and raised in the Cincinnati area, he developed his passion for soccer with local support before moving on to Xavier University and eventually Major League Soccer.
2025 Season Performance
Hagglund’s 2025 campaign began with a continued rehabilitation effort following his 2024 ankle ligament reconstruction. After signing a three-year contract extension in January 2025, he trained with Cincinnati’s preseason camp and worked his way back to full fitness. He made his return to MLS play on March 22, 2025, after short appearances with FC Cincinnati 2 earlier that month.
However, on May 25, 2025, Hagglund departed the pitch early after being knocked down by Emmanuel Latte Lath in the 10th minute of an away match against Atlanta United FC. No foul was given at the time, and a VAR check did not find cause to recommend a red card. The club announced the following day that he had suffered two broken ribs and a collapsed lung, and he underwent two procedures at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta.
The club stated that Hagglund is expected to make a full recovery, though as of late May 2025, no timeline or expected return date had been announced. His continued absence places added pressure on Cincinnati’s defensive depth as the 2025 season progresses.