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Freek Heerkens

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Freek Heerkens
Heerkens with Willem II in 2013
Personal information
Date of birth (1989-09-13) 13 September 1989 (age 35)
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

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Early years

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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

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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

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Willem II

References

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  1. ^ "Go Ahead Eagles vs. Sparta Rotterdam 1–2: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Archived from the original on 7 February 2024. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  2. ^ "Go Ahead Eagles vs. Dordrecht 8–0: Summary". Soccerway. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ "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.
  5. ^ "Freek Heerkens & Erik Schouten aanvoerders Willem II". Willem II (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 7 February 2024. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ "Willem II legt aanvoerder Heerkens tot 2021 vast". BN De Stem (in Dutch). 28 September 2018. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  8. ^ "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.
  9. ^ "Freek Heerkens, 200 wedstrijden". Willem II (in Dutch). Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  10. ^ "Freek Heerkens vecht tegen de tranen na degradatie van Willem II". Omroep Tilburg (in Dutch). 15 May 2022. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ "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.
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