Elijah Henry Just (born 1 May 2000) is a New Zealand professional footballer who plays as a winger for Scottish Premiership club Motherwell and the New Zealand national team. He joined the Olé Academy, moving from Palmerston North to live at the academy.
🏆 Early Club Career
Just played for Western Suburbs in the Central League. He was part of the team to win the Central League in 2017, as well as runner-up in the 2018 Chatham Cup.
🇳🇿 Domestic and European Moves
Just was part of Eastern Suburbs winning New Zealand Football Championship team, qualifying for the OFC Champions League. He finished the season playing in 20 games, scoring 7 goals.
In May 2019, FC Helsingør announced that Just would start at the club 1 July. On 1 July 2022, FC Helsingør announced that Just had been sold to AC Horsens.
On 21 August 2024, Just signed for Austrian 2. Liga club SKN St. Pölten on a season-long loan with an option to buy. On 9 July 2025, Just signed for Scottish Premiership club Motherwell on a two-year contract for an undisclosed fee.
🌏 International Youth Career
Just was born in New Zealand to a German father and Chinese mother. He was part of the New Zealand U-17 team that won the 2017 OFC U-17 Championship, qualifying for the U-17 World Cup in India.
Just played all three games the U-17 team played at the World Cup and was team captain in the second game against Paraguay. He was part of the U-20 team that travelled to the U-20 World Cup in Poland, playing in 3 games and scoring one goal.
🏅 Senior National Team
On 15 November 2019, Just made his national team debut for New Zealand in a friendly against Ireland. On 25 June 2021, Just was called up to the New Zealand squad for the delayed 2020 Summer Olympics.
Just scored his first international goal against Fiji in their 4–0 win during the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in Qatar. On 14 May 2026, Just was selected in the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
| Date | Event | Club/Team | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 May 2000 | Birth | N/A | Born Elijah Henry Just |
| 2017 | Central League Win | Western Suburbs | Won the Central League |
| May 2019 | Club Transfer | FC Helsingør | Announced start at club 1 July |
| 15 Nov 2019 | National Team Debut | New Zealand | Debut against Ireland |
| 1 Jul 2022 | Club Transfer | AC Horsens | Sold from FC Helsingør |
| 21 Aug 2024 | Loan Move | SKN St. Pölten | Season-long loan with option to buy |
| 9 Jul 2025 | Club Transfer | Motherwell | Two-year contract for undisclosed fee |
| 14 May 2026 | World Cup Selection | New Zealand | Selected for 2026 FIFA World Cup squad |
| 15 Jun 2026 | World Cup Brace | New Zealand | Scored both goals in 2–2 draw vs Iran |