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Jetro Willems
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Jetro Danovich Sexer Willems (born 30 March 1994) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a left wing-back or left-back for Eredivisie club NEC.
Key Information
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Willems represented the Netherlands national team at UEFA Euro 2012; he played in the Netherlands' opening match of the tournament at the age of 18 years and 71 days, making him the youngest player ever to play in the UEFA European Championship at the time. The record is now held by Spain's Lamine Yamal.
Club career
[edit]Sparta Rotterdam
[edit]Willems began his career with amateur side Spartaan '20 from whom he joined Sparta Rotterdam. During his time with Sparta he progressed through the club's youth academy and made his senior debut on 16 January 2011, in a match against Go Ahead Eagles.[5] He made 16 appearances in the Dutch second division.[6]
PSV
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On 31 August 2011, Willems joined PSV Eindhoven on a three-year contract.[7] He received the number 43 jersey and made his PSV debut on 23 October in a match against Vitesse.[8] Willems became the youngest Dutchman to play in a UEFA competition when he started against Hapoel Tel Aviv on 3 November in a UEFA Europa League group stage match.[9] That same month, he was permanently promoted to the first team squad.[10]
In December, Willems was targeted for a move to Manchester United, with then United manager Sir Alex Ferguson looking for "the next Patrice Evra".[11] On 3 April 2012, Willems' contract was upgraded and extended until 2016.[12]
Willems scored his first professional – and PSV – goal on 22 April 2012 in a match against NEC.[13] With this goal, he became the youngest goalscorer in the 2011–12 Eredivisie. He experienced a great amount of playing time in the 2011–12 season because full-back Erik Pieters was injured. Although being young and quite inexperienced, Willems quickly showed evidence of his raw talent, especially his technique and attacking traits.
On 15 July 2015, Willems suffered a serious injury and missed the first half of the 2015–16 season.
Eintracht Frankfurt
[edit]On 17 July 2017, Willems joined Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt to replace Bastian Oczipka, who, in turn joined Schalke 04. The transfer fee paid to PSV was reported as between €5 million and €9 million, depending on the source.[14][15][16] Willems made 29 appearances during the 2017–18 season,[17] which included the surprise win over Bayern Munich in the German Cup final.[18]
Willems started the 2018–19 season by starting in the German Super Cup.[19]
2019–20 season: Loan to Newcastle United
[edit]On 2 August 2019, Willems joined Newcastle United of the Premier League on a season-long loan deal with an option to buy.[20] Willems scored his first goal for Newcastle and in the Premier League on 14 September, putting the Magpies into a shock lead at reigning UEFA Champions League winners Liverpool, but the side eventually fell to a 1–3 defeat.[21] Willems then scored in a 2–2 draw with reigning league champions Manchester City on 30 November.[22]
He was ever-present in the Newcastle side during the first half of the season and made 20 appearances for the Magpies, until he suffered a season ending injury when he tore his ACL in January 2020.[23] He left the club when his loan expired on 1 July 2020.[24]
Consequently, Willems returned to Frankfurt for the 2020-21 Bundesliga season. During the first half of the season, he continued his recovery from his knee injury. After almost a year of rehabilitation, Willems re-joined the group training of Eintracht Frankfurt at the beginning of 2021, but did not make any appearances for the rest of the season.[citation needed] Willems left Eintracht Frankfurt after his contract expired at the end of the season. In total, he made 65 appearances for the club.
Greuther Fürth
[edit]In August 2021, Willems signed a two-year contract with newly promoted Bundesliga side Greuther Fürth and has been given the number 15 jersey.[25] He left the club on 1 September 2022, after his contract was terminated.[26]
Groningen
[edit]On 23 February 2023, Willems joined Eredivisie club Groningen on a contract until the end of the season.[27]
Heracles Almelo
[edit]On 14 June 2023, Willems signed a one-year contract with Heracles Almelo, with an option for the second year.[28]
Castellón
[edit]On 25 July 2024, Willems signed for Spanish Segunda División side Castellón, after a trial period.[29]
NEC
[edit]On 26 June 2025, Willems agreed to return to Eredivisie and signed a one-season contract with NEC.[30]
International career
[edit]
In 2011, Willems won the 2011 UEFA European Under-17 Championship with the Netherlands under-17 team.[31] While being selected for the under-19 squad, on 7 May 2012 Willems was named in the provisional list of 36 players for UEFA Euro 2012, one of nine uncapped players to be chosen by senior team manager Bert van Marwijk as part of the preliminary squad. He was still in the Oranje squad for Euro 2012 after Van Marwijk had made a first cut to 27 players on 15 May 2012.[32] Willems also made the final cut into the 23-man squad, being given the number 15 shirt.[33] He made his first unofficial appearance for the senior national team on 22 May 2012 in a friendly match against Bayern Munich.
On 26 May 2012, Willems made his first appearance with the senior Dutch side in a match against Bulgaria.[34]
At the Euro 2012, Willems made his first start for the Netherlands, against Denmark, becoming the youngest ever player to play at the Euros and the fourth-youngest player to play for the Netherlands, at 18 years and 71 days of age.[35] The record was previously held by Belgian Enzo Scifo, at 18 years and 115 days.[36] He featured in all the group stage games, however the Netherlands were eliminated from the tournament after losing all three group stage matches.[37]
Career statistics
[edit]Club
[edit]- As of match played on 14 June 2020
| Club | Season | League | National Cup | Continental | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Sparta Rotterdam | 2010–11[6] | Eerste Divisie | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 12 | 0 | ||
| 2011–12[6] | Eerste Divisie | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 3 | 0 | |||
| Total | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 | ||
| PSV | 2011–12[6] | Eredivisie | 20 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 6[a] | 0 | — | 29 | 1 | |
| 2012–13[6] | Eredivisie | 26 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4[a] | 0 | 1[b] | 0 | 34 | 0 | |
| 2013–14[6] | Eredivisie | 28 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 9[c] | 0 | — | 38 | 4 | ||
| 2014–15[6] | Eredivisie | 30 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 8[a] | 0 | — | 41 | 3 | ||
| 2015–16[6] | Eredivisie | 15 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1[d] | 0 | — | 17 | 2 | ||
| 2016–17[6] | Eredivisie | 24 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5[d] | 0 | 1[b] | 0 | 31 | 2 | |
| Total | 143 | 11 | 12 | 1 | 33 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 190 | 12 | ||
| Eintracht Frankfurt | 2017–18[17] | Bundesliga | 23 | 0 | 6 | 0 | — | — | 29 | 0 | ||
| 2018–19[19] | Bundesliga | 22 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 11[a] | 0 | 1[e] | 0 | 35 | 0 | |
| 2020–21 | Bundesliga | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | |||
| Total | 45 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 64 | 0 | ||
| Newcastle United (loan) | 2019–20 | Premier League | 19 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | 1[f] | 0 | 20 | 2 | |
| Career total | 223 | 12 | 19 | 1 | 44 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 289 | 14 | ||
- ^ a b c d Appearances in UEFA Europa League
- ^ a b Appearance in Johan Cruyff Shield
- ^ Appearances in UEFA Champions League, appearances in UEFA Europa League
- ^ a b Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League
- ^ Appearance in DFL-Supercup
- ^ Appearance in EFL Cup
International
[edit]- As of 10 October 2016
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | 2012 | 8 | 0 |
| 2013 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2014 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2015 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2016 | 6 | 0 | |
| Total | 22 | 0 | |
Honours
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "2019/20 Premier League squads confirmed". Premier League. 3 September 2019. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
- ^ "Netherlands – J. Willems – Profile with news, career statistics and history – Soccerway". us.soccerway.com.
- ^ "Jetro " Di velt pa SDKK" Documentary" – via YouTube.
- ^ "Jetro Willems: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
- ^ Sparta Rotterdam – Go Ahead Eagles (16-01-2011); Voetbal International, 16 January 2011 (in Dutch)
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Jetro Willems » Club matches". World Football. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
- ^ Jeugdinternational Jetro Willems naar PSV (Youth International Jetro Willems on PSV) Archived 7 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine; PSV Eindhoven, 31 August 2011 (in Dutch)
- ^ Vitesse – PSV (23-10-2011); Voetbal International, 23 October 2011 (in Dutch)
- ^ PSV fight back to progress against Hapoel Tel-Aviv; UEFA, 3 November 2011
- ^ Willems definitief naar eerste selectie PSV (Willems' definitely on PSV's first team); ED, 29 November 2011 (in Dutch)
- ^ Football, Mirror (11 December 2011). "Man United plot swoop for Dutch starlet". mirror.
- ^ Contract Jetro Willems opengebroken en verlengd (Jetro Willems' contract broken and extended) Archived 6 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine; PSV Eindhoven, 3 April 2012 (in Dutch)
- ^ PSV – NEC (22-04-2012); Voetbal International, 22 April 2012 (in Dutch)
- ^ "PSV defender Willems joins Frankfurt". Special Broadcasting Service. 22 July 2017. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
- ^ "Fix: Rekordhalter Willems beerbt Oczipka in Frankfurt". kicker Online (in German). 21 July 2017. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
- ^ "Frankfurt holt Niederländer Willems als Oczipka-Ersatz" (in German). RP Online. 17 July 2017.
- ^ a b "Jetro Willems". Kicker (in German). kicker. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
- ^ "Rebic und Gacinovic schießen Frankfurt zum Pokalsieg". Kicker (in German). kicker. 19 May 2018. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
- ^ a b "FCB gewinnt Supercup – Lewandowski macht den Unterschied". Kicker (in German). kicker. 12 August 2018. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
- ^ "Jetro Willems' first day in pictures". NUFC. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
- ^ "Premier League leaders Liverpool shrugged off an early scare to sweep past Newcastle and maintain their 100% start to the season with another dominant attacking display". BBC Sport. 14 September 2019. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
- ^ "Manchester City's hopes of retaining their Premier League title were dealt another blow when Jonjo Shelvey's stunning late equaliser earned Newcastle a point at St James' Park". BBC Sport. 30 November 2019. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
- ^ "Bruce confirms Willems and Dummett set to miss rest of the season". nufc.co.uk. 20 January 2020. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
- ^ "Jetro Willems says Newcastle will hold a 'special place' in his heart as his loan deal comes to end". Chronicle Live. 30 June 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
- ^ "Die SpVgg Greuther Fürth verpflichtet Jetro Willems". bundesliga.com (in German). 25 August 2021. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
- ^ "Willems gratis op te pikken: Greuther Fürth verscheurt contract" (in Dutch). 1 September 2022. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
- ^ "FC GRONINGEN CONTRACTEERT WILLEMS" [FC GRONINGEN SIGNS WILLEMS.]. fcgroningen.nl (in Dutch). 23 February 2023. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
- ^ "HERACLES ALMELO TREKT JETRO WILLEMS AAN" (in Dutch). Heracles Almelo. 14 June 2023.
- ^ "Jetro Willems, nuevo jugador del CD Castellón" [Jetro Willems, new player of CD Castellón] (in Spanish). CD Castellón. 25 July 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
- ^ "Jetro Willems volgende zomeraanwinst N.E.C." [Jetro Willems next summer signing for NEC] (in Dutch). NEC Nijmegen. 26 June 2025. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
- ^ UEFA European Under-17 Championship 2011, UEFA.com, Retrieved 1. 9. 2014
- ^ "UEFA EURO 2016 – News – UEFA.com". UEFA. 15 May 2012.
- ^ Bouma and Willems make final Dutch squad; UEFA, 26 May 2012
- ^ Oranje met Van Persie én ook Huntelaar tegen Bulgarije (Oranje with Van Persie and Huntelaar against Bulgaria); Voetbal International, 26 May 2012 (in Dutch)
- ^ Jetro Willems sets age mark Archived 13 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine; ESPN
- ^ Teenager Willems breaks Scifo's record; UEFA, 9 June 2012
- ^ "Portugal 2–1 Netherlands" BBC Sport. 17 June 2012. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
- ^ "Jetro Willems joins Eintracht Frankfurt". PSV. 21 July 2017. Archived from the original on 5 December 2022. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
- ^ "Bayern Munich 1-3 Eintracht Frankfurt". Whoscored.com. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
External links
[edit]
Media related to Jetro Willems at Wikimedia Commons- PSV's official website profile at the Wayback Machine (archived 10 November 2012)
- Jetro Willems at BDFutbol
- Jetro Willems at Voetbal International (in Dutch)
- Jetro Willems – FIFA competition record (archived)
- Jetro Willems – UEFA competition record (archive)
- Jetro Willems at Soccerway
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Jetro Willems
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early life
Birth and family background
Jetro Willems was born on 30 March 1994 in Willemstad, Curaçao, then part of the Netherlands Antilles, to parents originating from Curaçao.[7] At the age of nine, he moved with his family to Rotterdam in the Netherlands amid severe financial difficulties. To help fund the relocation, Willems has revealed that he smuggled drugs from Curaçao to the Netherlands as a child, an act prompted by his family's poverty; his parents had attempted similar efforts but failed, and no charges were filed against him due to his age.[8] They established a new home in Rotterdam, where Willems grew up with his sister. Details about his immediate family remain limited in public records, though he is related to fellow footballers Sherel Floranus and Brutil Hosé as cousins.[8][7]Youth football career
Willems began his youth football career with the local amateur club Spartaan '20 in Rotterdam, where he first developed his skills as a young player.[7] Subsequently, he joined the youth academy of Sparta Rotterdam, progressing through its ranks until late 2010, though he had no senior appearances at this stage.[7] During this period, Willems honed his abilities as a left-back, earning recognition for his exceptional speed, physical strength, technical proficiency, and proficiency with his left foot, which highlighted his potential for both defensive solidity and attacking contributions.[9] This foundational training at local Rotterdam clubs was facilitated by his family's relocation to the area, providing access to nearby facilities.[10]Club career
Sparta Rotterdam
Jetro Willems joined the Sparta Rotterdam youth academy at a young age and progressed through the ranks before making his senior debut. On 16 January 2011, he made his senior debut in the Eerste Divisie against Go Ahead Eagles in a 1–1 draw, at the age of 16 years and 292 days. This milestone highlighted his rapid ascent from the club's academy, where he had been honing his skills as a versatile left-sided defender. During the 2010–11 Eerste Divisie season, Willems established himself in the first team, making 16 appearances without scoring while primarily operating as a left-back.[11] His contributions were instrumental in Sparta Rotterdam's mid-table finish. Willems impressed observers with his exceptional pace and precise crossing ability, despite limited starts early in the campaign, earning praise for adding dynamism to the team's defense. After just one full professional season, Willems' performances attracted attention from larger clubs, leading to his transfer to PSV Eindhoven on 31 August 2011 for a reported fee of €800,000.[12] This move marked the end of his brief but impactful stint at his boyhood club, where he had transitioned seamlessly from youth prospect to senior contributor.PSV Eindhoven
Jetro Willems joined PSV Eindhoven from Sparta Rotterdam on 31 August 2011 for a transfer fee of €800,000, signing a three-year contract.[3] He made an early impact in competitive play, featuring in the starting lineup for the 2012 Johan Cruyff Shield, where PSV defeated Ajax 4–2 on penalties to claim the Dutch Super Cup. Over the subsequent seasons, Willems established himself as a reliable presence in the squad, transitioning from a promising youth prospect to a core defensive asset. During his six seasons at PSV from 2011 to 2017, Willems accumulated 192 appearances across all competitions, scoring 12 goals and recording 34 assists, predominantly operating as a left wing-back in a fluid 4-3-3 system.[13] His role extended beyond traditional defending, as he frequently overlapped into attacking positions, delivering precise crosses and through-balls that enhanced PSV's offensive transitions. In the 2014–15 Eredivisie title-winning campaign, for instance, he contributed 12 assists in league play alone, ranking among the competition's top providers and underscoring his evolution into a versatile contributor from the backline.[14] Willems was instrumental in PSV's period of domestic dominance, helping secure two Eredivisie titles in 2014–15 and 2015–16, one KNVB Cup in 2011–12, and three Johan Cruyff Shields in 2012, 2015, and 2016.[15] These achievements highlighted his consistency during high-stakes matches, including providing an assist in the 2012 Shield victory and contributing to the defensive solidity that underpinned the back-to-back league triumphs.[16] His performances during these title runs solidified his reputation as a key figure in PSV's resurgence as a powerhouse in Dutch football.[9]Eintracht Frankfurt
On 21 July 2017, Jetro Willems transferred from PSV Eindhoven to Eintracht Frankfurt, signing a four-year contract for a reported fee of €5 million.[17][18] Willems quickly adapted to the demands of the Bundesliga, establishing himself as the primary left-back and leveraging his prior experience from multiple Eredivisie title wins with PSV to facilitate a smooth transition to German football.[19] Over his main tenure at the club until 2021, he made 89 appearances across all competitions, including 71 in the Bundesliga, without scoring any goals but providing 10 assists.[20] In the 2017–18 season, Willems featured prominently in the DFB-Pokal campaign, playing in six matches en route to the final, where he started and delivered a key assist for Mijat Gaćinović's injury-time winner in a 3–1 victory over Bayern Munich on 19 May 2018, helping secure Frankfurt's fifth German Cup title.[21] The following 2018–19 season saw Willems contribute to Eintracht's memorable UEFA Europa League run to the quarter-finals, where he appeared in all 11 group and knockout stage matches, including both legs against Benfica and Chelsea, despite an early red card suspension in the opener against Olympique de Marseille.[20] Although he maintained consistency in domestic league play with 23 Bundesliga outings that season, Willems dealt with minor setbacks such as suspensions and form challenges that limited his overall involvement compared to his debut year.[22] His contract with Eintracht Frankfurt expired on 30 June 2021, marking the end of a period defined by steady defensive contributions in the Bundesliga following his Eredivisie success.[19]Newcastle United (loan)
On 2 August 2019, Jetro Willems joined Newcastle United on a season-long loan from Eintracht Frankfurt, with the club holding an option to make the transfer permanent at the end of the 2019–20 campaign.[23] The 25-year-old Dutch left-back arrived to provide competition and depth at left defense, bringing experience from the Bundesliga and his international career. Manager Steve Bruce highlighted Willems' attacking qualities and pace as key attributes to bolster the team's wing-back options in the Premier League.[24] Willems made an immediate impact, debuting as a substitute in Newcastle's 1–0 home defeat to Arsenal on 11 August 2019, where he showed promise despite a tactical mix-up that saw him positioned higher up the pitch than intended. He earned his first Premier League start the following week against Watford on 17 August, contributing to a solid defensive display in a 1–0 victory.[25] Over the ensuing months, Willems became a regular fixture, starting 18 of his 19 league appearances and logging 1,493 minutes on the pitch.[26] His contributions included two goals and two assists, with a standout moment coming on 14 September 2019, when he scored Newcastle's opener in a 3–1 loss to Liverpool at Anfield, rifling a low shot past goalkeeper Adrián after surging forward from defense.[27][4] Another assist followed in a 3–2 win over West Ham United on 26 October, where his precise cross set up Joelinton's goal.[4] Fans and pundits praised his explosive pace, overlapping runs, and versatility, noting how he adapted to the Premier League's intensity despite initial challenges with the league's physicality and pace.[28] Willems' promising stint was abruptly halted on 18 January 2020, when he suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) just 10 minutes into Newcastle's 1–0 home win over Chelsea, forcing him off on a stretcher.[29][30] Scans confirmed the season-ending injury, sidelining him for the remainder of the campaign and ruling out any potential extension or permanent move.[29] Despite the setback, Bruce commended Willems' brief displays of dynamism and team spirit, expressing regret over the lost potential.[30] The loan concluded in June 2020 without Willems featuring again, as his recovery shifted focus back to his parent club.[31]Greuther Fürth
On 25 August 2021, Jetro Willems signed a two-year contract with newly promoted Bundesliga club SpVgg Greuther Fürth on a free transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt.[32] This move represented his return to top-flight German football after recovering from an ACL rupture sustained during his 2019–20 loan at Newcastle United, which had kept him out for nearly 18 months.[33] Deployed primarily as a left-back, Willems played a key role in Greuther Fürth's relegation battle during the 2021–22 season, making 24 appearances in the Bundesliga and logging 1,650 minutes while scoring one goal. He demonstrated defensive solidity amid the team's struggles, contributing 31 tackles, 29 interceptions, 19 blocks, and 55 clearances, with standout performances such as four tackles and six clearances in a 0–0 draw against FC Augsburg.[34] Although he faced occasional absences due to suspensions from accumulating yellow cards, Willems showed effective recovery from his prior knee injury, helping to stabilize the defense in a promoted side ill-equipped for the top tier.[35] Greuther Fürth ultimately finished 18th in the Bundesliga with a record of three wins, nine draws, and 22 losses, earning just 18 points and suffering direct relegation to the 2. Bundesliga.[36] Willems remained with the club into the following season, making one appearance in the DFB-Pokal on 20 August 2022, before his contract was mutually terminated on 31 August 2022, making him a free agent.[37]FC Groningen
Jetro Willems joined FC Groningen on February 23, 2023, signing a free transfer from Greuther Fürth on a contract until the end of the 2022–23 season.[38][1] Primarily deployed as a left-back, Willems made his debut for the club in a 3–0 home win over Excelsior on February 25, 2023, coming on as a substitute in the 63rd minute.[39][40] Over the remainder of the campaign, he featured in six more Eredivisie matches, accumulating 394 minutes of playing time without recording a goal or assist.[39] His appearances came amid Groningen's intense relegation battle, where the team struggled defensively and offensively, ultimately finishing 18th in the league table with just 18 points from 34 matches.[41] Willems' stint provided a brief return to Dutch football, allowing him to rebuild match fitness following injury-plagued spells in Germany. However, Groningen were directly relegated to the Eerste Divisie without entering the playoffs, marking the club's first drop from the top flight since 1998.[41] Willems departed as a free agent at the expiration of his contract on June 30, 2023, after contributing to a transitional period for the squad.[1]Heracles Almelo
Willems signed with Heracles Almelo as a free agent on 1 July 2023, transferring from FC Groningen after their relegation from the Eredivisie.[37] During the 2023–24 Eredivisie season, he featured in 20 appearances as a left-back, without scoring but providing defensive solidity in a campaign that saw Heracles finish 14th and avoid relegation.[42][43] As an experienced defender with prior Eredivisie exposure from Groningen, Willems quickly became a key figure, captaining the side in several matches.[44] His leadership was instrumental in maintaining defensive stability during challenging moments.[44] Following the season, he departed Heracles as a free agent in July 2024.[37]CD Castellón
On 25 July 2024, Jetro Willems joined CD Castellón on a free transfer from Heracles Almelo, signing a one-year contract to make his debut in Spanish football with the Segunda División club.[45][1] During the 2024–25 season, Willems adapted to a left-back role within a promotion-chasing Castellón side, appearing in 20 matches without scoring but providing one assist across 956 minutes of play.[46] He received five yellow cards and committed an average of 0.66 fouls per 90 minutes, reflecting his disciplined defensive approach in the competitive league.[15] Willems contributed defensively in a squad that ultimately finished 17th in the Segunda División table, securing mid-table safety but falling short of playoff contention; his role was often limited to 10 starts due to competition from other defenders.[47][46] Willems departed Castellón as a free agent on 30 June 2025 upon the expiration of his contract, concluding a single, incomplete season in Spain.[1]NEC Nijmegen
Jetro Willems joined NEC Nijmegen on a free transfer from CD Castellón on July 1, 2025, signing a one-year contract until June 30, 2026, with a club option for an additional year.[7] This move marked his return to the Eredivisie after a stint in Spain, where his adaptation to versatile defensive roles aided his transition back to Dutch football.[7] Willems primarily plays as a centre-back but can also operate at left-back, wearing the number 15 shirt for the club.[48] In the early stages of the 2025–26 Eredivisie season, he featured in four matches, accumulating approximately 360 minutes of play before suffering a knee injury in late August 2025. As of November 2025, he has been sidelined by this knee injury, expected to miss several weeks.[49][50] At age 31, Willems serves as a veteran presence offering stability to NEC Nijmegen, a mid-table side in the league, with his market value estimated at €300,000 as of November 2025.[7]International career
Youth international career
Willems began his youth international career with the Netherlands U15 team in late 2008, making his debut in a friendly match. His strong performances in the youth academy of Sparta Rotterdam contributed to his progression through the national youth ranks.[1] Willems advanced to the Netherlands U17 team during the 2010–11 period, where he earned 12 caps without scoring any goals.[1] He played a significant role in the squad that won the 2011 UEFA European Under-17 Championship, appearing in five matches during the tournament in Serbia. From 2012 to 2013, he represented the Netherlands U19 team, accumulating 11 caps and scoring 1 goal in competitive and friendly fixtures.[1] Willems established himself as a key player in the Netherlands U21 team starting in 2013, going on to earn 14 caps and net 1 goal over the following years.[1] He featured prominently in the 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifiers and was included in the squad for the finals in Israel.[51] Across all youth levels, Willems collected approximately 50 caps, using this international exposure to refine his development as a versatile left-back. His final youth international appearance occurred in 2015, marking the transition to full senior team involvement.[1]Senior international career
Jetro Willems made his senior debut for the Netherlands national team on 26 May 2012, in a friendly match against Bulgaria, which ended in a 1–2 defeat at the Amsterdam Arena.[52] At 18 years and 57 days old, he replaced the injured Erik Pieters in the 62nd minute, marking the beginning of his international career shortly after his breakthrough at PSV Eindhoven.[2] Willems was included in the Netherlands squad for UEFA Euro 2012, where he became the youngest player to ever feature in the tournament at 18 years and 71 days old, surpassing the previous record held by Belgium's Enzo Scifo from Euro 1984.[2] He started all three group stage matches against Denmark, Germany, and Portugal, logging 247 minutes but failing to register a goal as the Netherlands exited in the group phase without a win.[53] Over the course of his senior international career from 2012 to 2016, Willems earned 22 caps without scoring, featuring prominently in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers where he started four matches in Group D, contributing to the Netherlands' qualification.[11] However, his opportunities became limited due to strong competition for the left-back position from players like Daley Blind and Patrick van Aanholt, as well as recurring injuries.[54] His final appearance came on 10 October 2016, in a 0–2 World Cup qualifying loss to France.[11] Willems received no further call-ups for the UEFA Nations League starting in 2018 or subsequent tournaments, primarily owing to persistent club-level form issues and injuries.[6]Career statistics
Club statistics
Jetro Willems has amassed 367 appearances, 16 goals, and 47 assists in his professional club career across various European leagues and cup competitions as of November 2025.[55] His statistical contributions highlight his role as a reliable left-back, with the majority of his output coming during his formative years at PSV Eindhoven, where he featured prominently in domestic and European fixtures. Subsequent moves to higher-profile leagues like the Premier League and Bundesliga saw varied involvement, often affected by injuries, while later stints in the Netherlands and Spain provided opportunities for resurgence. At PSV Eindhoven from 2011 to 2017, Willems recorded 192 appearances, 12 goals, and 34 assists, including notable seasons in the Eredivisie and UEFA competitions such as the Champions League and Europa League, where he contributed to title-winning campaigns. His loan to Newcastle United in the 2019–20 Premier League season was disrupted by a cruciate ligament injury in January 2020, limiting him to 20 appearances, 2 goals, and 3 assists across league and cup matches. At Eintracht Frankfurt from 2017 to 2021, he made 65 appearances with 7 assists in the Bundesliga and Europa League, though injuries curtailed his playing time in later years. Willems' subsequent career phases reflect adaptation to different levels: at Greuther Fürth in the Bundesliga (2021–22) and 2. Bundesliga (2022–23), he logged 26 appearances and 1 goal; FC Groningen in the Eredivisie (2022–23) saw 7 goalless appearances; Heracles Almelo in the Eredivisie (2023–24) yielded 21 appearances without goals or assists; and CD Castellón in Spain's Segunda División (2024–25) resulted in 20 appearances, 1 goal, and 1 assist.[13] Since joining NEC Nijmegen in July 2025, Willems has yet to feature in the 2025–26 Eredivisie or KNVB Cup as of November 2025, sidelined by a knee injury from August to October.[56]| Club | Years | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Key Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sparta Rotterdam | 2010–2012 | 16 | 0 | 2 | Eredivisie, KNVB Cup |
| PSV Eindhoven | 2011–2017 | 192 | 12 | 34 | Eredivisie, KNVB Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League |
| Eintracht Frankfurt | 2017–2021 | 65 | 0 | 7 | Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, UEFA Europa League |
| Newcastle United (loan) | 2019–2020 | 20 | 2 | 3 | Premier League, EFL Cup |
| Greuther Fürth | 2021–2023 | 26 | 1 | 0 | Bundesliga, 2. Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal |
| FC Groningen | 2022–2023 | 7 | 0 | 0 | Eredivisie, KNVB Cup |
| Heracles Almelo | 2023–2024 | 21 | 0 | 0 | Eredivisie, KNVB Cup |
| CD Castellón | 2024–2025 | 20 | 1 | 1 | Segunda División, Copa del Rey |
| NEC Nijmegen | 2025– | 0 | 0 | 0 | Eredivisie, KNVB Cup |
| Career Total | 2010–2025 | 367 | 16 | 47 | - |
International statistics
Jetro Willems represented the Netherlands at senior international level from 2012 to 2018, earning 22 caps without scoring any goals.[6] His debut came on 26 May 2012 in a 1–2 friendly defeat to Bulgaria, where he played 64 minutes as a left-back.[57] Willems featured prominently in defensive roles, often contributing to the team's build-up play from the left flank, and accumulated over 1,200 minutes across his appearances.[6] A highlight of his senior career was participation in UEFA Euro 2012, where, at 18 years and 71 days old, he became the youngest player to appear in the tournament, breaking Enzo Scifo's record.[2] He started all three group stage matches against Denmark, Germany, and Portugal, logging 247 minutes despite the Netherlands' early exit.[58] The following table summarizes his senior international appearances by competition:| Competition | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| UEFA Euro 2012 | 3 | 0 |
| FIFA World Cup qualifiers | 5 | 0 |
| UEFA European qualifiers | 3 | 0 |
| Friendlies | 11 | 0 |
| Total | 22 | 0 |
| Year | Opponent | Competition | Result | Minutes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Bulgaria | Friendly | 1–2 L | 64 |
| 2012 | Northern Ireland | Friendly | 6–0 W | 77 |
| 2012 | Denmark | UEFA Euro | 0–1 L | 90 |
| 2012 | Germany | UEFA Euro | 1–2 L | 90 |
| 2012 | Portugal | UEFA Euro | 2–1 L | 67 |
| 2012 | Belgium | Friendly | 4–2 L | 45 |
| 2012 | Turkey | WC Qualifier | 2–0 W | 90 |
| 2012 | Hungary | WC Qualifier | 1–4 W | 90 |
| 2013 | Estonia | WC Qualifier | 2–2 D | 75 |
| 2013 | Andorra | WC Qualifier | 0–2 W | 45 |
| 2013 | Japan | Friendly | 2–2 D | 45 |
| 2014 | Mexico | Friendly | 2–3 L | 90 |
| 2014 | Latvia | Euro Qualifier | 6–0 W | 90 |
| 2015 | Turkey | Euro Qualifier | 1–1 D | 13 |
| 2015 | Spain | Friendly | 2–0 W | 90 |
| 2015 | Latvia | Euro Qualifier | 0–2 W | 77 |
| 2016 | France | Friendly | 2–3 L | 77 |
| 2016 | England | Friendly | 1–2 W | 82 |
| 2016 | Republic of Ireland | Friendly | 1–1 D | 90 |
| 2016 | Poland | Friendly | 1–2 W | 45 |
| 2016 | Greece | Friendly | 1–2 L | 80 |
| 2016 | France | WC Qualifier | 0–1 L | 6 |