Jan Paul van Hecke

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Jan Paul van Hecke
Jan Paul van Hecke 24012026 (2) (cropped).jpg
Van Hecke with Brighton & Hove Albion in 2026
Personal information
Full name Jan Paul van Hecke [1]
Date of birth (2000-06-08) 8 June 2000 (age 26)
Place of birth Arnemuiden, Netherlands
Height 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in) [2]
Position Centre-back
Team information
Current team
 Tottenham Hotspur
Youth career
–2018 VV Goes
2018–2019 NAC Breda
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2019–2020 NAC Breda 11 (3)
2020–2026 Brighton & Hove Albion 106 (4)
2020–2021 → Heerenveen (loan) 28 (1)
2021–2022 → Blackburn Rovers (loan) 31 (1)
2026– Tottenham Hotspur 0 (0)
International career‡
2022–2023 Netherlands U21 8 (0)
2024– Netherlands 14 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 23:20, 24 May 2026 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals as of 20 June 2026

Jan Paul van Hecke (born 8 June 2000) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur and the Netherlands national team.

Contents

Club career

Early career

Born in Arnemuiden, [2] Van Hecke is a youth product of VV Goes, but signed for NAC Breda in 2018. [3] He made his professional debut with NAC Breda in a 5–1 Eerste Divisie win over Helmond Sport on 16 August 2019. [4]

Brighton & Hove Albion

On 10 September 2020, Van Hecke joined Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion on a three-year contract. [3] [5]

Loan moves

On 18 September 2020, van Hecke returned to the Netherlands on a season-long loan with Eredivisie side Heerenveen. [6] [7] He made his debut for Heerenveen in a 3–1 Eredivisie away victory against Fortuna Sittard on 19 September 2020. [8]

On 29 August 2021, van Hecke joined Blackburn Rovers of the Championship on loan for the 2021–22 season. [9] He made his debut on 16 October, playing the whole match of the 2–2 home draw against Coventry City. [10] He was sent off for a reckless challenge on Harry Wilson on his fifth appearance with Rovers already 2–0 down in an eventual 7–0 defeat at home to Fulham on 3 November. [11] Van Hecke scored his first goal for Blackburn and in English football, doubling Rovers' lead with a powerful header in a 2–0 away victory against the second-place AFC Bournemouth on 11 December, closing the gap to four points to their promotion rivals. [12] He was named as the club's Player of the Season for 2021–22, becoming the first loan player to achieve the accolade. [13]

Breakthrough with Brighton

Van Hecke with Brighton & Hove Albion in 2022. BHA 5 v Espanyol 1 pre season 30 07 2022 154 (Jan Paul van Hecke) (cropped1).jpg
Van Hecke with Brighton & Hove Albion in 2022.

Van Hecke made his debut for Brighton on 24 August 2022, helping keep a clean sheet in the 3–0 away victory over League One side Forest Green Rovers in the EFL Cup second round. [14] Three days later, he made his Premier League debut, coming on as a 88th minute substitute for Danny Welbeck and helped secure Brighton's 1–0 lead over Leeds United to take all three points at Falmer Stadium. [15] With the absence of Levi Colwill, Van Hecke was selected ahead of Adam Webster where he made his first Premier League start on 21 January 2023, in the 2–2 away draw at Leicester City. [16] He played in the 1–1 home draw against champions Manchester City on 24 May, keeping Erling Haaland goalless with Brighton sealing a place in the 2023–24 UEFA Europa League. [17]

On 13 July 2023, Van Hecke signed a new contract with the Seagulls; the length of the contract was undisclosed. [18] In the 2023–24 season, he began to establish himself as a regular player of the starting XI, finishing the season with 28 Premier League appearances and five clean sheets. [19] He was rewarded for his form with a new contract until 2027, with head coach Roberto De Zerbi praising Van Hecke for his performances, saying that he is "improving in an incredible way". [20]

Tottenham Hotspur

On 18 June 2026, Van Hecke moved to fellow Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur on a long-term contract in a deal reportedly worth £52 million. [21] [22]

International career

Van Hecke was called up to the Netherlands under-21 squad for the first time in March 2022, [23] but was an unused substitute in a goalless UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying draw against Bulgaria. [24] He debuted on 3 June, coming on as a substitute in the 3–0 away victory against Moldova under-21 in a 2023 European under-21 Championship qualifier. [25]

On 16 August 2024, Van Hecke was named in the 35-man provisional Netherlands squad for the Nations League ties against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Germany alongside Brighton teammates Bart Verbruggen and Mats Wieffer. [26] He was originally left out of the final squad, but received his first senior call-up on 1 September after the withdrawal of Micky van de Ven due to injury. [27] [28] On 10 September, Van Hecke debuted in a 2–2 UEFA Nations League draw against Germany at Johan Cruyff Arena, replacing Matthijs de Ligt at half-time of a 2–2 draw. [29]

On 27 May 2026, Van Hecke was named in the Netherlands' squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. [30]

Personal life

Van Hecke is the nephew of the Dutch retired footballer Jan Poortvliet. [31]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 24 May 2026 [32]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cup [a] League cup [b] EuropeTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
NAC Breda 2019–20 Eerste Divisie 11351——164
Brighton & Hove Albion 2022–23 Premier League 804010—130
2023–24 Premier League28030107 [c] 0390
2024–25 Premier League3414010—391
2025–26 Premier League3632020—403
Total106413050701314
SC Heerenveen (loan) 2020–21 Eredivisie 28110——291
Blackburn Rovers (loan) 2021–22 Championship 31110——321
Tottenham Hotspur 2026–27 Premier League000000—00
Career total1769201507020810
  1. ↑ Includes KNVB Cup, FA Cup
  2. ↑ Includes EFL Cup
  3. ↑ Appearances in UEFA Europa League

International

As of match played 20 June 2026 [33]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Netherlands 202420
202560
202660
Total140

Honours

References

  1. ↑ "2020/21 Premier League squads confirmed". Premier League. 20 October 2020. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  2. 1 2 "Jan Paul van Hecke". WorldFootball. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  3. 1 2 "Volgende Heerenveen-deal krijgt vorm: Van Hecke verlaat NAC Breda". voetbalprimeur.nl (in Dutch). 10 September 2020. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  4. ↑ "NAC Breda vs. Helmond Sport". Soccerway. 16 August 2019.[ better source needed ]
  5. ↑ Owen, Brian (10 September 2020). "Albion confirm deal – and line up a loan – for rising Dutch defender van Hecke". The Argus. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  6. ↑ Camillin, Paul (18 September 2020). "Van Hecke loaned to Heerenveen". Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  7. ↑ "Heerenveen huurt Van Hecke van Brighton, nieuwe spelverdeler voor ADO" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Omroep Stichting. 18 September 2020. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  8. ↑ Owen, Brian (20 September 2020). "'Powerful' young Albion defender is off to great start on loan". The Argus. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  9. ↑ "Rovers swoop for Seagulls star". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. 29 August 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  10. ↑ "Blackburn Rovers 2–2 Coventry City: Sky Blues fight back from two goals down". BBC Sport . BBC. 16 October 2021. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  11. ↑ "Blackburn Rovers 0–7 Fulham: Free-scoring Cottagers hit seven at Ewood Park". BBC Sport. BBC. 3 November 2021. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  12. ↑ "Bournemouth 0–2 Blackburn". BBC Sport. BBC. 11 December 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
  13. 1 2 Sharpe, Rich (1 May 2022). "Jan Paul van Hecke thanks fans as he is named player of the year". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
  14. ↑ "Forest Green 0–3 Brighton: Albion to face Arsenal in third round". BBC Sport. BBC. 24 August 2022. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  15. ↑ Howarth, Matthew (27 August 2022). "Brighton & Hove Albion 1–0 Leeds United: Pascel Gross strikes as Seagulls set club record". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  16. ↑ Talbot, Bruce (21 January 2023). "It's Fergie time as Evan's late leveller lifts Albion". Brighton & Hove Albion. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
  17. ↑ "Brighton 1–1 Manchester City: Julio Enciso scores stunning equaliser to seal Europa League place". BBC Sport. BBC. 24 May 2023. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
  18. ↑ "Van Hecke signs new Brighton deal". BBC Sport. 13 July 2023.
  19. ↑ "Jan Paul van Hecke | 2022–23 Football Stats". Soccerbase. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  20. ↑ "Brighton: 'The most improved player under De Zerbi'". BBC Sport. 18 January 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  21. ↑ "Van Hecke joins from Brighton". Tottenham Hotspur F.C. 18 June 2026. Retrieved 18 June 2026.
  22. ↑ Edwards, George (18 June 2026). "Tottenham complete £52million Jan Paul van Hecke transfer from Brighton". The Athletic. Retrieved 18 June 2026.
  23. ↑ "Who's on international duty this break?". Brighton & Hove Albion. 21 March 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
  24. ↑ "Bulgaria U21 vs. Netherlands U21 – Football Match Line-Ups". ESPN. 25 March 2022. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
  25. ↑ "Live Commentary – Moldova U21 vs Netherlands U21". Sky Sports. 3 June 2022. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  26. ↑ "New faces named in provisional Netherlands squad". Football Oranje. 16 August 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  27. ↑ "Hato and Timber named in Netherlands squad". Football Oranje. 30 August 2024. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  28. ↑ "Van Hecke replaces injured Van de Ven in Netherlands squad". Football Oranje. 1 September 2024. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  29. ↑ "Spaan niet onder de indruk van Van Hecke, maar ziet wel een ander probleem voor De Ligt". FC Update (in Dutch). 13 September 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  30. ↑ "Fit-again Depay selected as Netherlands name squad". FIFA. 27 May 2026. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  31. ↑ Boogert, Rudy (2 November 2020). "Jan Paul van Hecke kan niet tippen aan ome Jan". Provinciale Zeeuwse Courant (in Dutch). Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  32. ↑ "J. Van Hecke". Soccerway. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  33. ↑ "Jan Paul van Hecke". EU-Football.info. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  34. ↑ "Van Hecke double at Players' Awards". Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. 7 May 2025. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
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