Freek Heerkens

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

Early years

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

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

Willem II

• Eerste Divisie: 2013–14

References

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.

External links

• Freek Heerkens at WorldFootball.net
• Career stats & Profile - Voetbal International