Daniel Wass (; born 31 May 1989) is a Danish professional footballer who plays for Danish Superliga club Brøndby, which he captains. A former Denmark national team international, he is capable of playing as a midfielder and full-back.
During the majority of his childhood, Wass played for Copenhagen-suburb club BK Avarta, but in 2006, he was scouted by Brøndby and promptly switched clubs. After a year of playing for youth teams within the club, he joined the first team.
Wass made his debut for Danish Superliga team Brøndby in the 2007âÂÂ08 season under manager Tom Køhlert. He played half of the matches that season but had to withdraw later on due to injury.
Following his recovery from injury Wass secured his place as right defender in the 2008âÂÂ09 season playing in 28 games from a possible 33, helping Brøndby to reach third place in the Superliga, Brøndby's best position since their second place in the 2005âÂÂ06 season.
Brøndby manager Kent Nielsen felt Wass would gain from developing at another club, so Brøndby chose to loan him out to Fredrikstad, a medal-competing side from Norway. On 21 August 2009, Wass made his debut in a 4âÂÂ1 loss against Rosenborg and on 1 November 2009, Wass started and played the full 90 minutes scoring in a 5âÂÂ0 win over Lyn. When the board of Fredrikstad FK signed a new manager, new coach Tom Nordlie informed Wass that he had no interest in an offensive right defender. As a result of that, Wass received no more than three games before returning to Brøndby in December 2009. For the remainder of the 2009âÂÂ10 season, Wass played more games for Brøndby, securing his place in the starting eleven.
The season of 2010âÂÂ11 proved to show Wass' importance for the Brøndby squad when he was selected as first-choice right back for the first 19 games. In February, during the three-month winter break in the Superliga between December and March, Wass announced he would not be renewing his contract with Brøndby. From the beginning of January there had been rumours of Wass' summer transfer to Benfica. Wass did not comment on the rumours. In March 2011, with 14 matches of the season remaining, the attacking force of Wass was recognised, with Coach Henrik Jensen subsequently pushing the player up to right midfielder/winger. In his final matches for the club, Wass scored three goals, helping Brøndby to gain their third successive third place.
On 20 May 2011, Wass announced that he had signed a five-year contract with Benfica. However, on 22 July 2011, he was loaned out to Evian Thonon Gaillard F.C. without taking part in any official games for Benfica. Upon moving to Evian, Wass joined Danish countrymen Stephan Andersen, Christian Poulsen and Thomas Kahlenberg. In the four months after joining Evian, Wass was kept out of the first team under Bernard Casoni, who preferred Brice Dja Djédjé, while Wass stated his intention to return to his parent club. On 15 October 2011, he made his debut, playing in right midfield, making an impact when he provided assist for Yannick Sagbo in a 2âÂÂ1 loss against Saint-ÃÂtienne. Several weeks later, Wass scored in two consecutive games against Lorient and Rennes. He scored his third goal of the season in a 2âÂÂ1 loss against Toulouse. Under new manager Pablo Correa, who succeeded Casoni, Wass secured a place in the first team, mostly being used as left-back, with Sidney Govou taking his former position in right midfield. After months of being kept out of the first team, he returned again, playing in left-back, due to Fabrice Ehret. Wass kept his place in the first team towards the end of the season when Guillaume Lacour took his position as left back, this time returning to the right midfield position. Two games before the end of the season, Wass scored his fourth goal in a 2âÂÂ1 win over Ajaccio.
On 20 June 2012, Wass signed with Evian on a permanent basis for a â¬2.5 million transfer fee. On 12 August 2012, in the opening game of the season against Bordeaux, Wass scored a free kick in a match that ended in a 2âÂÂ3 loss for Evian. Like in the previous season, Wass played in various positions in defence and midfield. On 26 January 2013, Wass scored a further goal against Ajaccio in a 1âÂÂ1 draw.
On 22 June 2015, Wass joined Celta Vigo on a four-year contract.
Wass scored a goal and assisted another in a 2âÂÂ2 draw against Real Madrid.
On 10 July 2018, Wass joined Valencia on a four-year deal for a fee reported to be â¬6 million. He made his debut for the club on 20 August in La Liga, providing an assist to Rodrigo's equaliser in a 1âÂÂ1 home draw against Atlético Madrid. His first goal for Los che came on 14 April 2019 in a 3âÂÂ1 away win against Villarreal in the UEFA Europa League. Wass was a starter in the 2019 Copa del Rey Final which saw Valencia lift the trophy after a 2âÂÂ1 victory against Barcelona, his first ever career title.
On 27 November 2019, Wass scored on an overcooked cross from a tight angle, which surprised goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and allowed Valencia to finish top of their UEFA Champions League group. The match finished 2âÂÂ2.
On 27 January 2022, Atlético Madrid announced the signing of Wass on a contract until 2023. He made his competitive debut for the club on 6 February, coming off the bench at half-time for à  ime Vrsaljko in a 4âÂÂ2 loss away against Barcelona at Camp Nou. The appearance would remain his only one for the Colchoneros, as he suffered a season-ending knee injury after a challenge by Ferran Torres.
On 12 August 2022, Wass returned to Brøndby IF on a permanent transfer from Atlético Madrid. He made his return debut two days later in a Superliga match against OB, starting at right-back in a 2âÂÂ0 home win.
Brøndby had announced on 24 July 2022 that Wass would sign a contract through June 2025, marking a return to where he started his professional career.
Ahead of the 2024âÂÂ25 season, head coach Jesper Sørensen removed Wass from the role of team captain. Following SørensenâÂÂs departure and the appointment of Frederik Birk as head coach, Wass was reinstated as captain at the beginning of the 2025âÂÂ26 season.
Brøndby began the 2025âÂÂ26 Superliga season with a win under Wass's captaincy, placing them first in the league table after the opening round.
On 5 March 2025, Brøndby extended WassâÂÂs contract by an additional year, tying him to the club through June 2026 and including a future non-playing club role upon retirement.
Wass made his Danish international debut against England on 9 February 2011.
In May 2018, Wass was named in Denmark's preliminary 35-man squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. However, he did not make the final 23.
Wass is the cousin of Nicki Bille Nielsen.
He has invested in the digital platform InchByInch.
Valencia