Freek Heerkens
 Heerkens with Willem II in 2013 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 13 September 1989 | ||
| Place of birth | Heeswijk-Dinther, Netherlands | ||
| Height | 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Centre-back | ||
| Youth career | |||
| VV Heeswijk | |||
| PSV | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2010–2013 | Go Ahead Eagles | 75 | (8) |
| 2013–2024 | Willem II | 220 | (8) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Freek Heerkens (born 13 September 1989) is a Dutch former professional footballer who played as a centre-back.
Career
[edit]Early years
[edit]After progressing through PSV' youth teams, Heerkens moved to Go Ahead Eagles in 2010. He made his professional debut for their first team on 16 August 2010, starting in a home match against Sparta Rotterdam.[1] Just a few months later, on 1 October of the same year, he notched his first goal in professional football during an impressive 8–0 victory against Dordrecht.[2]
Go Ahead Eagles
[edit]Following three successful seasons with the club from Deventer, Heerkens joined Willem II, signing a two-year contract on 13 June 2013.[3] He made his debut for the Tricolores in a home match against Den Bosch on 4 August 2013, starting in a 2–2 draw. Throughout the 2013–14 season, he made 28 league appearances as the club clinched the Eerste Divisie title and secured promotion to the Eredivisie.[4]
Heerkens grew into team captain of Willem II, replacing Pol Llonch and Jordens Peters in that position.[5][6] In September 2018, he extended his contract with Willem II until 2021.[7] In June 2021, he signed a one-year extension, keeping him in Tilburg until 2022.[8]
On 7 May 2022, Heerkens celebrated his 200th appearance for Willem II in a 2–0 victory against Heracles Almelo.[9] However, the season concluded with the club facing their relegation to the Eerste Divisie after Heerkens led the club to promotion eight years prior.[10] Despite relegation, he signed another one-year deal, extending his expiring contract until 2023.[11] In June 2023, he signed a third consecutive one-year contract extension, keeping him part of Willem II for his eleventh season.[12]
Honours
[edit]Willem II
References
[edit]- ^ "Go Ahead Eagles vs. Sparta Rotterdam 1–2: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Archived from the original on 7 February 2024. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ^ "Go Ahead Eagles vs. Dordrecht 8–0: Summary". Soccerway. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ^ Scholten, Nanja (14 June 2013). "Freek Heerkens naar Willem II". VVCS (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 22 September 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ^ "Willem II kampioen na winst op Telstar en puntenverlies FC Dordrecht: 'Het stadion ontplofte'". Omroep Brabant (in Dutch). 21 April 2014. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ^ "Freek Heerkens & Erik Schouten aanvoerders Willem II". Willem II (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 7 February 2024. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ^ Aert, Dolf van (12 August 2023). "Willem II wijst Heerkens en Schouten aan als aanvoerders voor het nieuwe seizoen". Brabants Dagblad (in Dutch). Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ^ "Willem II legt aanvoerder Heerkens tot 2021 vast". BN De Stem (in Dutch). 28 September 2018. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ^ "Freek Heerkens verlengt bij Willem II tot 2022". ESPN.nl (in Dutch). 15 June 2021. Archived from the original on 8 September 2022. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ^ "Freek Heerkens, 200 wedstrijden". Willem II (in Dutch). Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ^ "Freek Heerkens vecht tegen de tranen na degradatie van Willem II". Omroep Tilburg (in Dutch). 15 May 2022. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ^ Lierop, Matthijs van (8 June 2022). "Freek Heerkens gaat voor tiende seizoen bij Willem II". DTV Nieuws (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 8 June 2022. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ^ "Clubicoon tekent voor elfde seizoen bij Willem II". Voetbal International (in Dutch). 29 June 2023. Archived from the original on 29 June 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
External links
[edit]- Freek Heerkens at WorldFootball.net
- Career stats & Profile - Voetbal International