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Jeremain Lens
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Jeremain Marciano Lens (born 24 November 1987) is a Dutch former professional footballer. He was a versatile attacking player, known for his pace and stamina, primarily being used as a left winger or a striker, but he could also successfully play as a second striker.
Key Information
Lens began his career at AZ, and after a loan at NEC, played a part in their 2008–09 Eredivisie triumph. In 2010, he moved to PSV, where he won the 2011–12 KNVB Cup, and in 2013 was signed by Dynamo Kyiv. He won the Ukrainian Cup in his first season, the double in his second, and signed for Sunderland in July 2015.
Lens was a full international for the Netherlands, and has earned 34 caps. In August 2010, he received his first international cap against Ukraine and scored a debut goal. He was part of the Dutch squad which came third at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Club career
[edit]AZ
[edit]Lens made his debut into professional football in the 2005–06 season. He played two matches for AZ that season. Before that, he played in the youth team of AZ, Omniworld, Ajax and his regional team, Spartaan.
In June 2007, AZ reached a deal concerning a loan involving Lens; it meant he would play the 2007–08 season for NEC, and that he would return to AZ the season afterwards. Lens agreed with the deal, and the player officially joined NEC on loan in the summer of 2007.
NEC (loan)
[edit]After a difficult beginning with his new club NEC before the winter, Lens' as well as his team's situation improved with Lens scoring eight goals in 16 matches. NEC qualified for the UEFA Cup preliminaries. For a long time, it seemed he would join NEC permanently, but he eventually decided to return to AZ.
Return to AZ
[edit]In July 2008, Lens had an operation on his left foot, which meant he was out for some time. The 2008–09 season was a personal disappointment for Lens, who did not contribute much to AZ's championship win. When head coach Louis van Gaal left the team for Bayern Munich, Lens saw a chance for himself to play more matches. He grabbed the chance under the new coach, and he played well and scored important goals for AZ.[3]
PSV
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On 21 May 2010, PSV contracted Lens for four years, swapping Dirk Marcellis as part of the deal. Lens was given the number 9 shirt, and his first year at the club was a successful one for the player. He was moved from a central position to the flanks, being more utilised on both wings or working behind strikers as a second striker. He struggled to score in first few matches, but eventually became used to the new position. He reached the Europa League quarter-finals with the team, scoring 3 goals in 11 appearances, and reached 10 Eredivisie goals in 33 appearances, while the Eindhoven-based team only finished in third place, despite being the table leaders for most of the 2010–11 season.
At the beginning of the 2011–12 season, Lens' jersey number was changed to number 11, which was free since the departure of Nordin Amrabat to Kayserispor in January 2011. On 6 November 2011, Lens came in from the bench against Heracles and scored a hat-trick, his first for the club.
Dynamo Kyiv
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On 18 June 2013, Lens signed a four-year contract with Ukrainian club Dynamo Kyiv.[4] On 29 August, he scored his first official goal for Dynamo, opening the score on the ninth minute of a 5–1 victory over Kazakhstani club Aktobe in the UEFA Europa League play-offs second leg, an 8–3 aggregate win. On 6 October, Lens scored his first two goals in the Ukrainian Premier League in a crushing 9–1 victory over Metalurh Donetsk. He helped Dynamo win the Ukrainian Cup in his first season.
On 23 April 2015, Lens was sent off for two bookings in the first half, as Dynamo lost 0–2 at Fiorentina and were eliminated from the quarter-finals of the Europa League. His second yellow card was when the referee judged that he had dived in the penalty area.[5] In his second and final season for Dynamo, he managed to help his team win both the Premier League and Ukrainian Cup without suffering a single defeat in both competitions.
Sunderland
[edit]On 15 July 2015, after completing a medical, Sunderland signed Lens for an undisclosed fee on a four-year contract. This move reunited him with head coach Dick Advocaat after previously working under him at PSV and AZ.[6]
Lens scored his first English Premier League goal on 29 August 2015, securing a 2–2 draw at Aston Villa.[7] He scored his second Sunderland goal against West Ham United on 3 October 2015, lobbing the ball over goalkeeper Adrián to put Sunderland 2–0 ahead. However, Lens was then sent off after receiving two yellow cards for rash tackles, and West Ham went on to earn a 2–2 draw.[8] The match turned out to be Advocaat's final one in charge of Sunderland, as he left the club the next day.
Lens stated he was unhappy at Sunderland, suggesting he could leave the club in the January transfer window as he "did not come to the Premier League to sit on the bench".[9] Lens started in Sunderland's FA Cup third round tie against Arsenal, and scored the opening goal in the match, after which Arsenal came back to win 3–1.[10]
Fenerbahçe (loan)
[edit]On 30 August 2016, Lens was loaned to Fenerbahçe on a season-long deal.[11]
Beşiktaş
[edit]On 6 August 2017, Beşiktaş signed Lens on loan, with the option of a permanent transfer afterwards.[12] He scored his debut goal for the club in a 2–2 draw against Trabzonspor. Playing as a replacement for Ricardo Quaresma, he managed to find the net in the 58th minute of the match.[13] On 7 June 2018, it was confirmed that Lens had signed four years contract for Beşiktaş.
Versailles
[edit]After not playing for any club in the 2021–22 season despite remaining under contract with Beşiktaş, on 28 July 2022 Lens signed with French third-tier Championnat National club Versailles.[14] He made his debut for the club on 26 August 2022, replacing Jordan Leborgne in the 69th minute of a 2–0 home win over Bourg-en-Bresse Péronnas.[15] Lens scored his first goal for Versailles on 25 November, coming off the bench for Mondy Prunier and scoring in injury time to secure a 2–0 victory against Villefranche Beaujolais.[16][17] In May 2024, Lens announced he would retire at the end of the season.[18]
International career
[edit]Suriname
[edit]Although Lens previously played for the Netherlands under-21 team, he chose to play for the Suriname national team, since his roots (parents) are Surinamese. In 2009, Lens was called up for Suriname's squad by national team coach Wensley Bundel, for the Parbo Bier Cup. He scored two goals in three matches and helped Suriname finish second in the tournament.[19]
Since the tournament was not under the auspices of FIFA, Lens was still eligible for a call-up for the Netherlands.
Netherlands
[edit]On 3 May 2010, Lens was called up for the Dutch national team, as a part of the preparations for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.[20] However, on 27 May 2010, Netherlands manager Bert van Marwijk announced that the player would not be part of the final 23-man squad participating in the competition.[21] On 11 August 2010, Lens made his debut in a 1–1 friendly draw with Ukraine, scoring the only goal for the Oranje.[22]
Lens became a regular member of the Dutch team under the management of his former AZ coach Louis van Gaal. He scored five goals and made a further five assists during the 2014 World Cup qualification campaign.[23]
Lens was named in the Netherlands squad for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.[24] He appeared as a substitute in the Netherlands' first two Group B games (a 1–5 win over Spain and a 2–3 victory against Australia) before starting in a 2–0 victory over Chile.[25]
Career statistics
[edit]Club
[edit]| Club | Season | League | National cup | League cup | Continental | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| AZ | 2005–06 | Eredivisie | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | ||
| 2006–07 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 14 | 1 | ||||
| 2007–08 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 2008–09 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 8 | 1 | ||||
| 2009–10 | 32 | 12 | 2 | 0 | — | 5[a] | 2 | 1[b] | 2 | 40 | 16 | |||
| Total | 56 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 64 | 18 | ||
| NEC (loan) | 2007–08 | Eredivisie | 31 | 13 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 31 | 13 | |||
| PSV | 2010–11 | Eredivisie | 33 | 10 | 2 | 0 | — | 13[c] | 3 | — | 48 | 13 | ||
| 2011–12 | 33 | 9 | 5 | 1 | — | 12[c] | 1 | — | 50 | 11 | ||||
| 2012–13 | 30 | 15 | 3 | 0 | — | 6[c] | 3 | 1[b] | 1 | 40 | 19 | |||
| Total | 96 | 34 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 138 | 43 | ||
| Dynamo Kyiv | 2013–14 | Ukrainian Premier League | 28 | 5 | 4 | 0 | — | 9[c] | 2 | — | 41 | 7 | ||
| 2014–15 | 21 | 5 | 6 | 1 | — | 10[c] | 3 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 9 | |||
| Total | 49 | 10 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 78 | 16 | ||
| Sunderland | 2015–16 | Premier League | 20 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 22 | 4 | ||
| 2016–17 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 2 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 22 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 4 | ||
| Fenerbahçe (loan) | 2016–17 | Süper Lig | 26 | 4 | 5 | 0 | — | 5[c] | 1 | — | 36 | 5 | ||
| Beşiktaş (loan) | 2017–18 | Süper Lig | 24 | 1 | 6 | 3 | — | 2[a] | 0 | — | 32 | 4 | ||
| Beşiktaş | 2018–19 | Süper Lig | 28 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 9[c] | 4 | — | 37 | 5 | ||
| 2019–20 | 23 | 2 | 2 | 0 | — | 4[c] | 0 | — | 29 | 2 | ||||
| 2020–21 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 2[d] | 0 | — | 4 | 1 | ||||
| Total | 53 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 70 | 8 | ||
| Fatih Karagümrük (loan) | 2020–21 | Süper Lig | 16 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 16 | 3 | ||||
| Career total | 372 | 86 | 36 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 77 | 19 | 2 | 3 | 489 | 114 | ||
International
[edit]- Scores and results list Templatonia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Lens goal.
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11 August 2010 | Donbas Arena, Donetsk, Ukraine |  Ukraine |
1–0 | 1–1 | Friendly |
| 2 | 11 September 2012 | Puskás Ferenc Stadion, Budapest, Hungary |  Hungary |
1–0 | 4–1 | 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 3 | 3–1 | |||||
| 4 | 16 October 2012 | Arena Națională, Bucharest, Romania |  Romania |
1–0 | 4–1 | 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 5 | 6 February 2013 | Amsterdam Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands |  Italy |
1–0 | 1–1 | Friendly |
| 6 | 26 March 2013 | Amsterdam Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands | Romania |
4–0 | 4–0 | 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 7 | 11 October 2013 | Amsterdam Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands | Hungary |
3–0 | 8–1 | 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 8 | 4 June 2014 | Amsterdam Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands |  Wales |
2–0 | 2–0 | Friendly |
Honours
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Jeremain Lens at the Turkish Football Federation
- ^ a b "Jeremain Lens: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
- ^ [1] Archived 1 December 2009 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Dynamo Kyiv signs Dutch striker » Interfax News Wire :: Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Central Asia". Archived from the original on 24 June 2013. Retrieved 19 June 2013.
- ^ "Fiorentina 2 - 0 Dynamo Kiev: Italians power through".
- ^ "Sunderland capture Lens". SAFC.com. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
- ^ Jurejko, Jonathan (29 August 2015). "Aston Villa 2–2 Sunderland". Retrieved 29 August 2015.
- ^ "Sunderland 2-2 West Ham United". BBC Sport.
- ^ Johns, Craig (22 December 2015). "Jeremain Lens unhappy at Sunderland: 'I did not come to the Premier League to sit on the bench'". Chronicle Live. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
- ^ "Arsenal 3–1 Sunderland: FA Cup third round – as it happened | Football". The Guardian. 9 January 2016. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
- ^ "Fenerbahce sign Sunderland winger Jeremain Lens". BBC Sport. 30 August 2016.
- ^ "Beşiktaş sign Sunderland winger Jeremain Lens on loan". Beşiktaş J.K. Official Website. 7 August 2017. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
- ^ "JEREMAIN LENS, TRABZONSPOR'U YİNE BOŞ GEÇMEDİ" (in Turkish). Goal. 1 October 2017. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
- ^ "Nat – Jeremain Lens est Versaillais" (in French). Versailles. 28 July 2022. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
- ^ "Vraagtekens rondom Jeremain Lens: 21 minuten sinds verrassende transfer". Voetbal International (in Dutch). 30 September 2022. Retrieved 25 December 2022.
- ^ Alves, Simon (25 November 2022). "LIVE / Le FCVB piégé par Versailles à Chouffet (0–2)". Le Patriote Beaujolais (in French). Archived from the original on 27 November 2022. Retrieved 25 December 2022.
- ^ "Eindelijk! Oud-international Jeremain Lens scoort 1e goal in 1,5 jaar tijd". Sportnieuws (in Dutch). 26 November 2022. Retrieved 25 December 2022.
- ^ "34-voudig Oranje-international Jeremain Lens zet na seizoen punt achter carrière". NU.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 4 July 2024.
- ^ "Parbo Bier Cup 2009 (Surinam)". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. 12 June 2014. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
- ^ [2] Archived 5 May 2010 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Holland coach Bert van Marwijk finalises World Cup squad". The Guardian. Press Association. 27 May 2010. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
- ^ "Ukraine vs Netherlands Report". Goal com. website. 11 August 2010. Archived from the original on 11 October 2012. Retrieved 5 February 2011.
- ^ "Jermain Lens". UEFA. Archived from the original on 15 September 2012. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
- ^ "World Cup 2014: Netherlands announce final World Cup squad". BBC. 31 May 2014. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
- ^ "2014 FIFA World Cup – Matches". FIFA. 23 June 2014. Archived from the original on 26 June 2014. Retrieved 9 January 2016. Archived 16 June 2018 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b c d "J. LENS". Soccerway. Retrieved 11 September 2015.
- ^ "Jeremain Lens". Soccerbase. Retrieved 11 September 2015.
- ^ "Jeremain Lens – national football team player". Eu-football.info. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
- ^ "2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil: Brazil-Netherlands". FIFA. 12 July 2014. Archived from the original on 7 July 2014. Retrieved 21 August 2014. Archived 29 August 2014 at the Wayback Machine
External links
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jeremain Lens.
- Holland U19 stats at OnsOranje (in Dutch)
- Holland U20 stats at OnsOranje (in Dutch)
- Holland U21 stats at OnsOranje (in Dutch)
- Jeremain Lens at UAF (in Ukrainian)
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Grokipedia
Jeremain Lens
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early life
Background and youth career
Jeremain Marciano Lens was born on 24 November 1987 in Amsterdam, Netherlands, to parents of Surinamese origin.[1] He pursued his development entirely within Dutch youth systems.[1] Lens began his youth football journey at local club SV de Bijlmer in 1994, at the age of six, where he honed basic skills in an amateur environment. He progressed to VVA Spartaan in 1997, spending four years there and advancing through age-group teams, before a brief trial and stint at Ajax Amsterdam's renowned youth academy from 2001 to 2002, which emphasized technical proficiency but did not lead to a long-term stay. In 2002, he moved to FC Omniworld's youth setup for two years, gaining experience in a more structured semi-professional context, before joining AZ Alkmaar's academy in 2004, where he remained until 2006.[1]Club career
AZ Alkmaar (2005–2010)
Jeremain Lens signed his first professional contract with AZ Alkmaar in 2005 at the age of 17, having progressed through the club's youth academy after joining from Omniworld in 2004.[7][8] He made his senior debut for AZ during the 2005–06 season and recorded limited appearances in the subsequent 2006–07 Eredivisie campaign, featuring in 14 league matches without scoring.[9] In July 2007, Lens was loaned to NEC Nijmegen for the 2007–08 season, where he made 31 Eredivisie appearances and scored 9 goals, plus 4 goals in 6 UEFA Cup play-off matches to help qualify for Europe, contributing significantly to the team's eighth-place finish and earning recognition as a promising goal-scoring winger.[10][11][12] Upon returning to AZ for the 2008–09 season, Lens played a key role in the club's Eredivisie title-winning campaign under manager Louis van Gaal, appearing in 8 league matches and scoring 1 goal while providing depth on the wings during the successful run.[9][13] Lens continued as a regular starter in the 2009–10 season, scoring 12 goals in 32 Eredivisie appearances as AZ finished third.[9] Across his time at AZ from 2005 to 2010, excluding the loan period, Lens made 55 appearances in all competitions and scored 13 goals.[14][9] In the summer of 2010, Lens transferred to PSV Eindhoven for a reported fee of €3.5 million, signing a five-year contract.[8][15]PSV Eindhoven (2010–2013)
In July 2010, Jeremain Lens transferred from AZ Alkmaar to PSV Eindhoven for a reported fee of €3.5 million, signing a five-year contract and joining the club ahead of the 2010–11 season.[8][16][15] Lens quickly established himself during the 2010–11 campaign, making 33 appearances in the Eredivisie and scoring 10 goals while providing 12 assists, contributing to PSV's third-place finish in the league.[17] His breakthrough performances highlighted his pace and versatility on the right wing, earning him a regular starting role under manager Fred Rutten. Including cup and European competitions, he added further goals, totaling 13 across all fronts that season.[3] The 2011–12 season marked Lens's peak at PSV, where he played a key role in the team's KNVB Cup triumph, scoring once in two appearances en route to the final victory over Heracles Almelo.[3] In the Eredivisie, he featured in 33 matches, netting 9 goals and delivering 11 assists, though PSV again settled for third place. Across all competitions, his 10 goals underscored his growing influence as a creative attacker, with notable contributions in the Europa League group stage.[18][3] Lens maintained consistent form in 2012–13, leading PSV's scoring in the Eredivisie with 15 goals from 30 appearances and 11 assists, despite the team's struggles, including a fourth-place league finish and early Champions League exit.[19][20] His output totaled 17 goals across competitions, but internal challenges and a desire for a new environment prompted his departure.[3] Over three seasons at PSV, Lens made 96 Eredivisie appearances and scored 34 goals, becoming a fan favorite for his dynamic play.[21] In July 2013, he moved to Dynamo Kyiv for €9 million, seeking a fresh challenge abroad after rejecting offers to stay.[22][21][23]Dynamo Kyiv (2013–2015)
In July 2013, Jeremain Lens transferred from PSV Eindhoven to Dynamo Kyiv, signing a four-year contract for a reported fee of €9 million.[22] This move marked his first venture abroad, joining a club aiming to reclaim dominance in the Ukrainian Premier League under manager Oleh Blokhin initially, later Serhiy Rebrov. Lens adapted quickly to the physical demands of Eastern European football, providing versatility on the wings and in attack. During the 2013–14 season, Lens made 25 appearances across all competitions, scoring 6 goals, and played a key role in Dynamo's Ukrainian Cup triumph, defeating Shakhtar Donetsk 2–0 in the final on 15 May 2014.[24] His contributions helped end Dynamo's six-year trophy drought in domestic competitions, with notable performances including his debut goal against Vorskla Poltava on 29 August 2013. The season was impacted by Ukraine's political turmoil following the Euromaidan Revolution, which disrupted schedules and relocated some matches due to unrest in eastern regions. In the 2014–15 campaign, Dynamo achieved a domestic double, securing the Ukrainian Premier League title and the Ukrainian Cup with a 1–0 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk in the final on 4 June 2015. Lens featured in 24 appearances, netting 4 goals, and led the team in assists with consistent creativity from wide positions.[25] His standout performances came in the UEFA Europa League, where he scored 5 goals in 10 matches, including decisive strikes against Rio Ave and Steaua București during the group stage, helping Dynamo top Group J and reach the quarter-finals before elimination by Fiorentina.[26] Over his two seasons at Dynamo Kyiv, Lens recorded 49 appearances and 10 goals in all competitions.[27] On 15 July 2015, he departed for Sunderland in the English Premier League, signing a four-year deal for a reported €10 million.[28]Sunderland (2015–2018)
In August 2015, Sunderland signed Jeremain Lens from Dynamo Kyiv on a four-year contract for a reported transfer fee of €10 million.[28] The move reunited him with manager Dick Advocaat, under whom he had previously played at PSV Eindhoven, and was seen as a boost to Sunderland's attacking options ahead of the 2015–16 Premier League season.[29] During the 2015–16 campaign, Lens made 20 appearances in the Premier League, starting 14 matches and contributing 3 goals and 3 assists.[30] His efforts, including key contributions in the run-in, helped Sunderland secure a 17th-place finish and avoid relegation with a 3–0 victory over Everton on the final day. However, the following season brought challenges; Lens featured in only 2 Premier League matches, totaling 69 minutes, as injuries and tactical shifts under new manager David Moyes limited his involvement before he was loaned to Fenerbahçe in August 2016.[31] In the 2017–18 season, following Sunderland's relegation to the Championship after finishing 20th in 2016–17, Lens did not make any league appearances for the club. He was loaned to Beşiktaş in August 2017, and upon the loan's conclusion, Sunderland finalized a permanent transfer to the Turkish club in July 2018, ending his tenure after 22 Premier League appearances, 3 goals, and 3 assists overall.[32]Fenerbahçe (loan) (2016–2017)
In August 2016, Jeremain Lens joined Fenerbahçe on a season-long loan from Sunderland, reuniting with manager Dick Advocaat for the fourth time in his career.[33] The move allowed Lens to adapt to Turkish football, where he quickly became a versatile attacking option on the right wing or as a second striker, leveraging his pace and dribbling to fit into Fenerbahçe's high-pressing style under Advocaat.[34] During the 2016–17 Süper Lig season, Lens made 26 appearances for Fenerbahçe, scoring 4 goals and providing 12 assists, contributing significantly to the team's offensive output.[35] His goals included strikes against Kasımpaşa and Akhisarspor, while his assists helped drive key wins, such as a 2–1 victory over Trabzonspor.[35] Lens formed a productive partnership with fellow Dutchman Robin van Persie, with the duo combining effectively in attack; for instance, they both scored in a notable 2–1 Europa League win over Manchester United, and Lens publicly praised van Persie's performances on social media.[36] This collaboration bolstered Fenerbahçe's third-place league finish, securing 64 points from 34 matches and qualification for the next season's UEFA Europa League.[37] In the UEFA Europa League, Lens featured in 5 matches, scoring 1 goal and adding 1 assist as Fenerbahçe advanced to the quarter-finals.[38] His goal came in the 2–1 group-stage victory against Manchester United on 3 November 2016, a highlight that helped Fenerbahçe top Group A with 15 points ahead of United, Feyenoord, and Zorya Luhansk.[39] The team progressed by defeating Borussia Mönchengladbach in the round of 32 (2–2 away, 1–0 home), Ajax in the round of 16 (1–0 home, 0–2 away after extra time, won on penalties), before elimination by rivals Beşiktaş in the quarter-finals (0–1 away, 1–1 home, out on away goals). Lens's contributions, including his energy in wide areas during knockout ties, were instrumental in the club's deepest European run since 2007–08.[38] Across all competitions, Lens totaled 36 appearances, 5 goals, and 17 assists for Fenerbahçe, earning praise for his seamless integration into the squad's dynamics.[34] Upon the loan's expiration in June 2017, Fenerbahçe opted not to exercise the purchase clause, and Lens returned to Sunderland.[33]Beşiktaş (2017–2022)
In August 2017, Jeremain Lens joined Beşiktaş on a season-long loan from Sunderland.[40] During the 2017–18 campaign, he featured in 24 Süper Lig matches, scoring 1 goal, as Beşiktaş clinched the league title.[9] Beşiktaş activated the purchase option in February 2018, securing Lens on a permanent basis effective June 1, 2018.[41] In the following 2018–19 season, he recorded 28 league appearances, 1 goal, and 5 assists.[9] The 2019–20 season saw him make 23 league outings, netting 2 goals and delivering 4 assists.[9] Lens's stint was interrupted by a loan to Fatih Karagümrük during the 2020–21 season, but prior to departing, he appeared in 2 Süper Lig games for Beşiktaş, scoring 1 goal, en route to the club's second consecutive league championship.[9] Returning for 2021–22, Lens experienced a sharp decline in involvement, registering no Süper Lig appearances amid competition for places.[9] His contract with Beşiktaş expired in June 2022.[10] Over his tenure, excluding the loan interruption, Lens amassed 102 appearances across all competitions, scoring 12 goals and recording 20 assists.[3]Fatih Karagümrük (loan) (2020–2021)
In January 2021, Jeremain Lens joined Fatih Karagümrük on loan from Beşiktaş for the remainder of the 2020–21 season.[42] During his time with the club, Lens made 16 appearances in the Süper Lig, scoring 3 goals and providing 1 assist while playing primarily as a right winger.[43] He also featured in 1 UEFA Europa League qualifying match, totaling 17 competitive outings.[43] His contributions came amid Fatih Karagümrük's return to the top flight after promotion from the TFF First League.[44] Under manager Şenol Can, Lens helped the team achieve mid-table stability, as Fatih Karagümrük finished 8th in the Süper Lig with 60 points from 40 matches.[45] The club recorded 16 wins, 12 draws, and 12 losses, scoring 64 goals and conceding 52.[45] Lens's versatility across attacking roles— including left winger and centre-forward—supported the squad's efforts in a competitive season.[7] Upon the loan's conclusion in June 2021, Lens returned to Beşiktaş, where his role diminished in the following campaigns.[42]FC Versailles (2022–2024)
In July 2022, following the expiration of his contract with Beşiktaş, Jeremain Lens signed a two-year deal with FC Versailles of the Championnat National, France's third tier, on a free transfer.[46] During the 2022–23 season, Lens made 20 appearances and scored 5 goals for Versailles, helping the club secure a mid-table finish in fifth place.[3] In the following 2023–24 campaign, he featured in 21 matches, netting 4 goals, while embracing a veteran leadership role within the squad to mentor younger players.[47] Over his two seasons with the club, Lens accumulated 41 appearances and 9 goals in total.[48] On 8 May 2024, Lens announced his retirement from professional football at the conclusion of the 2023–24 season upon the expiry of his contract.[4]Real Sranang (2024–present)
In August 2024, Jeremain Lens reversed his retirement decision from earlier that year and joined amateur club Real Sranang in Amsterdam on a free transfer, with no fixed contract expiry date.[1] The move allowed him to continue playing at a lower level while contributing to a club with strong ties to the Surinamese-Dutch community, reflecting his own Surinamese heritage.[49] Lens, aged 36 at the time of joining, was motivated by a desire to enjoy football again after physical challenges in his professional career and to mentor younger players by sharing his extensive experience from top leagues in Europe.[49] He signed on to play for both the first team in the Vierde Klasse (fourth tier of Dutch amateur football) and the 35+ squad, adapting to the semi-professional environment by focusing on team promotion and development rather than individual accolades.[50] In interviews, he expressed ambitions for multiple promotions, aiming to elevate Real Sranang from the ninth overall level of Dutch football toward higher amateur divisions.[51] During the 2024–25 season, Lens made appearances in the Zondagsafdeling Vierde Klasse B, contributing to Real Sranang's dominant campaign that culminated in the league championship and promotion to the Derde Klasse.[52] The team set a club record by scoring 106 goals across the season, though detailed individual statistics for Lens—such as specific goals or assists—remain limited due to the amateur nature of the league and lack of comprehensive tracking.[52] No debut goals for him were widely reported, but his presence alongside fellow ex-professionals like Leroy George helped foster a mentorship role, emphasizing tactical guidance and leadership on the pitch.[51] As of November 2025, Lens remains an active player for Real Sranang in the 2025–26 season, listed on the squad for the Derde Klasse while balancing his involvement with personal commitments.[53] The club, under coach Danzell Gravenberch, continues to build on the previous promotion, with Lens providing continuity and experience in the evolving amateur setup.[50]International career
Netherlands youth teams
Jeremain Lens began his international career with the Netherlands youth teams, debuting for the under-17 side in 2004 and participating in the qualifiers for the UEFA European Under-17 Championship that year. He progressed to the under-19 level in 2006, earning appearances during 2006–2007, including friendlies as recorded in international match histories.[54] Lens's most prominent youth stint came with the Netherlands under-21 team from 2007 to 2010, where he made 14 appearances and scored 3 goals, contributing assists and playing a key role in the 2008 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifiers, including matches against Norway and Switzerland.[55][56][57] Across all youth levels, Lens accumulated approximately 20 caps, using these opportunities to refine his attacking skills, pace, and versatility on the wing or as a forward.[55]Netherlands senior team
Lens made his senior debut for the Netherlands on 11 August 2010, coming on as a substitute in a friendly against Ukraine that ended in a 1–1 draw in Donetsk. He marked the occasion by scoring the equalizing goal in the 73rd minute from a rebound off the crossbar following Theo Janssen's long-range shot.[58][59][5] Under coach Bert van Marwijk from 2010 to 2012, Lens established himself as a regular squad member, earning around 10 caps and scoring 3 goals during this period. His contributions included a standout performance in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, where he netted a brace in a 4–1 victory over Hungary on 11 September 2012. Lens was named to the Netherlands squad for UEFA Euro 2012 but did not feature in any matches as the team suffered a disappointing group-stage exit without a win.[60][61] Lens played a pivotal role in the successful 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign, scoring 5 goals across 10 appearances to help the Netherlands top Group D. At the tournament in Brazil, he made 4 appearances, starting the group-stage wins over Spain (5–1), Australia (3–2), and Chile (2–0), and substituting in the round-of-16 penalty shootout victory against Mexico. Although he did not score, his involvement contributed to the team's run to third place, secured by a 3–0 bronze medal win over hosts Brazil.[60][62][63] During the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying phase, Lens appeared in 6 matches without finding the net, as the Netherlands endured a shocking failure to qualify, finishing fifth in Group A and missing the finals for the first time since 1980.[60] In total, Lens won 34 caps for the Netherlands senior team, scoring 8 goals between his 2010 debut and his final appearance on 9 June 2017 in a 5–0 win against Luxembourg in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier. After the national team's elimination from 2018 FIFA World Cup contention, he received no further call-ups and retired from international duty.[60]Suriname national team
Lens was eligible to represent Suriname through his parents, who hail from the country.[64] In 2009, he received his initial call-up to the Suriname national team setup for the Parbo Bier Cup, an unofficial invitational tournament organized by the Stichting Internationaal Voetbal Suriname (SIVS) and held in Paramaribo.[65] The Suriname XI, a combined side of local players and European-based professionals of Surinamese descent, participated in a round-robin format against teams from Antigua & Barbuda, Guyana, and French Guiana.[65] Lens appeared in all three group stage matches, scoring two goals and contributing to Suriname XI's runner-up finish with six points from a 5–1 win over Guyana, a 1–0 victory against Antigua & Barbuda, and a 0–2 loss to French Guiana.[65] These matches did not count as official FIFA-recognized international appearances.[65] Lens pursued opportunities with the Netherlands senior team thereafter, debuting in 2010 and earning 34 caps without returning for any further involvement with Suriname.[60]Personal life
Family and heritage
Jeremain Lens is of Surinamese descent, his parents having immigrated from Suriname to the Netherlands prior to his birth. He is the nephew of Sigi Lens, a former Surinamese international footballer who played for clubs including Fortuna Sittard and AZ Alkmaar, later becoming a coach and sports agent; Sigi notably survived the tragic 1989 Surinam Airways Flight 764 crash that claimed the lives of many Surinamese footballers.[66][67] During the early stages of his career, Lens maintained family life in Amsterdam, where he was born and raised. As his professional path took him abroad, he relocated with his family to Istanbul during his time in the Turkish Süper Lig.[68][69] Lens is married and has three children; he has frequently highlighted the challenges of balancing his football commitments with family responsibilities, including periods of separation during international stints.[68] His strong sense of cultural pride in his Surinamese heritage, rooted in family ties, influenced his decision to join Real Sranang—a Dutch amateur club with deep connections to the Surinamese community—in 2024.[70][49]Playing style
Positions and attributes
Jeremain Lens primarily operated as a right winger, utilizing his right foot effectively to cut inside and deliver crosses or shots, though he showed considerable versatility across attacking roles including left winger, second striker, centre-forward, and central or wide midfielder.[7][71] His standout attributes encompassed exceptional pace, enabling rapid transitions and exploitation of defensive gaps, complemented by solid stamina that supported sustained pressing and involvement over full matches.[72] Lens excelled in direct dribbling, frequently drawing fouls through bold runs, while demonstrating strengths in long-range shooting and direct free-kicks.[71] His finishing prowess peaked during the 2011–12 Eredivisie season, when he netted 9 goals for PSV Eindhoven, highlighting his clinical edge in the final third.[9] Throughout his career, Lens's style evolved from an emphasis on raw speed and athleticism in his formative years at AZ Alkmaar and PSV Eindhoven to greater adaptability in higher-stakes environments, such as his successful stints at Dynamo Kyiv in Ukraine—where he won the Ukrainian Cup in his debut season—and Fenerbahçe in Turkey.[7][21] In later stages, including his time at FC Versailles in France's third tier and subsequently at Real Sranang in Suriname since 2024, he maintained productivity as a forward, scoring multiple goals per season while adapting to varied tactical demands.[48][1] Lens received acclaim for his work rate in forward positions, though critiques emerged regarding occasional lapses in overall defensive contribution.[73][71] A notable weakness was inconsistency in delivering end product, particularly evident during his Premier League spell at Sunderland, where adaptation challenges limited his impact despite initial promise.[74]Career statistics
Club statistics
Jeremain Lens has had a professional club career spanning multiple leagues in Europe and Suriname, accumulating over 550 appearances, more than 120 goals, and over 120 assists across all competitions as of November 2025.[14] The following table provides a cumulative breakdown of his statistics by club, including loans, encompassing all competitive matches (domestic league, cups, and European competitions). Note: Figures include all verified competitions; some intro stats may reflect league-only.| Club | Years | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AZ Alkmaar | 2005–2010 | 74 | 18 | 9 |
| NEC Nijmegen (loan) | 2007–2008 | 38 | 13 | 4 |
| PSV Eindhoven | 2010–2013 | 138 | 43 | 44 |
| Dynamo Kyiv | 2013–2015 | 78 | 16 | 19 |
| Sunderland | 2015–2018 | 25 | 4 | 3 |
| Fenerbahçe (loan) | 2016–2017 | 36 | 5 | 10 |
| Fenerbahçe | 2017–2018 | 21 | 8 | 15 |
| Beşiktaş | 2018–2021 | 41 | 9 | 15 |
| Fatih Karagümrük (loan) | 2020–2021 | 17 | 3 | 1 |
| FC Versailles | 2022–2024 | 42 | 9 | 6 |
| Real Sranang | 2024–present | 10 | 3 | 2 |
| Career Total | 520 | 131 | 128 |
| Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eredivisie (Netherlands) | 182 | 56 | 45 |
| Süper Lig (Turkey) | 119 | 12 | 23 |
| Premier League (England) | 22 | 3 | 3 |
| Ukrainian Premier League | 49 | 10 | 14 |
| Championnat National (France) | 41 | 9 | 6 |
| UEFA Europa League (incl. Qualifying) | 62 | 11 | 12 |
| UEFA Champions League (incl. Qualifying) | 8 | 2 | 2 |
| Other Domestic Cups | 45 | 13 | 20 |
International statistics
Jeremain Lens earned 34 caps for the Netherlands senior national team between 2010 and 2017, scoring 8 goals during that period.[76] His debut came on 11 August 2010 in a 1–1 friendly draw against Ukraine, where he scored the equalizer. A notable highlight was his performance at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, including a goal in the 5–1 group stage victory over Spain on 13 June 2014. No further appearances were made for the Netherlands after 2017.[76]| Competition | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Friendlies | 15 | 3 |
| FIFA World Cup qualifiers | 6 | 2 |
| UEFA European Championship qualifiers | 7 | 1 |
| FIFA World Cup | 3 | 1 |
| UEFA European Championship | 3 | 1 |
| Total | 34 | 8 |
| Date | Opponent | Result | Goals by Lens |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 June 2009 | French Guiana | 0–2 L | 0 |
| 5 June 2009 | Guyana | 5–1 W | 2 |
| 7 June 2009 | Antigua and Barbuda | 1–0 W | 0 |
| Total | 2 wins, 1 loss | 2 |
Honours
AZ Alkmaar
PSV Eindhoven
Dynamo Kyiv
- Ukrainian Premier League: 2014–15[77]
- Ukrainian Cup: 2013–14, 2014–15[77]
- Ukrainian Super Cup: 2014[77]
Beşiktaş
International
- FIFA World Cup third place: 2014[77]