Sven van Beek

Sven van Beek

Van Beek with Feyenoord in 2019
Personal information
Date of birth	(1994-07-28) 28 July 1994 (age 29)
Place of birth	Gouda, Netherlands
Height	1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
Position(s)	Centre-back
Team information
Current team	Heerenveen
Number	4
Youth career
	SV Donk
2004–2005	Sparta Rotterdam
2005–2013	Feyenoord
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2013–2021	Feyenoord	118	(3)
2021	→ Willem II (loan)	14	(0)
2021–	Heerenveen	63	(2)
International career‡
2013	Netherlands U19	7	(0)
2013–2016	Netherlands U21	11	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19:32, 27 February 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 25 March 2016

Sven van Beek (born 28 July 1994) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Eredivisie club Heerenveen.

Primarily developed in Feyenoord's academy, Van Beek debuted professionally in 2013. While he was a regular starter from 2014 to 2016, injuries hindered his progress, leading to a decline in his role. Despite this setback, he contributed to Feyenoord's successes, including winning the Eredivisie title in 2017, two KNVB Cups in 2016 and 2018, and a Johan Cruyff Shield in 2018. He spent six months on loan at Willem II during the latter part of the 2020–21 season before securing a permanent move to Heerenveen in 2021, where he eventually became team captain.

Van Beek holds the unfortunate distinction of being the Eredivisie's top own goal scorer, having scored eight own goals. He has represented the Netherlands at under-19 and under-21 levels.

Club career

Feyenoord

Born in Gouda, Van Beek began playing football in the youth departments of SV Donk and Sparta Rotterdam, before joining the Feyenoord academy in 2005. ^[1] He made his full debut on 30 January 2013 against PSV in the KNVB Cup. He replaced Daryl Janmaat who could not play because of illness. In the 83rd minute, head coach Ronald Koeman replaced him for midfielder Ruud Vormer. ^[2] He made his first start for Feyenoord against archrivals Ajax on 18 August 2013 at the right-back position, as they lost 2–1. ^{[3] [4]}

Van Beek scored his first goal in the UEFA Europa League in a match against Standard Liège on 2 October 2014, as Feyenoord won 2–1. ^[5] Feyenoord would become the group winner in that tournament, partly by winning 2–0 at home against defending title holders Sevilla, after goals from Jens Toornstra and Karim El Ahmadi, ^[6] and winning 3–0 in the other match against Standard Liège. ^[7] In the knockout phase, Feyenoord managed a 1–1 draw away against Roma. ^[8] Feyenoord lost 2–1 at home, after Mitchell te Vrede was sent off. ^[9] In the 2014–15 season, Van Beek became a regular starter for the club, replacing Stefan de Vrij in the centre-back position, who had left for Lazio. ^[10] Van Beek was also a regular fixture in the team in the 2015–16 season, with Feyenoord winning the KNVB Cup that season. Van Beek, however, received a lot of criticism, after several defensive mistakes. ^{[11] [12]} Feyenoord finished 3rd that season in the Eredivisie. In the 2016–17 pre-season game on 2 July 2016 against RKSV Driel, Van Beek replaced Wessel Dammers at half time, but fell out with an injury shortly after, ^[13] causing him to miss the entire season. Feyenoord won the Eredivisie title during that season, but Van Beek was unable to contribute to this due to his long-term injury. He celebrated the championship party on crutches. ^[14]

Van Beek also had to miss the preparation for the 2017–18 season due to the injury. ^[15] However, he did rejoin the group on the training pitch. On 26 September 2017, Van Beek made his official return in the 3–1 away game in the UEFA Champions League against Napoli. ^[14] That season, Van Beek would make 28 appearances. ^[16] Van Beek was also a regular starter during the 2018–19 season, playing on 22 April 2018 as Feyenoord won the KNVB Cup final 3–0 over AZ. ^[17] On 5 November 2018, he signed a three-year contract extension, keeping him at the club until June 2021. ^[18] On 17 February 2019, he became the shared record holder for most own goals (6) in Eredivisie history, alongside Daan Schrijvers and Marílio. ^[19] In the 2019–20 season, Van Beek was demoted to the reserves. During the preparation for the 2020–21 season, he suffered another ankle injury, sidelining him for an extended period of time. ^[20]

Willem II (loan)

On 1 February 2021, Van Beek was sent on loan to Willem II. ^{[21] [22]} He made his debut on 14 February in a 5–0 away loss to the team which he was sent on loan from; Feyenoord. ^[23] He was in the starting lineup but was substituted for Jordens Peters in the 66th minute. ^[24] He subsequently remained a starter during the spring season, as Willem II finished one point clear of relegation and finished in 14th place. ^{[25] [26]} On 1 May 2022, he set a unique Eredivisie record by scoring his seventh own goal with a header against Utrecht. ^[27]

Heerenveen

On 19 July 2021, Van Beek signed a two-year contract with Heerenveen. ^{[28] [29]} He made his debut on 13 August on the opening day of the domestic competition, contributing to keeping a clean sheet in a 1–0 away win over Go Ahead Eagles. ^[30] On 10 April 2022, he scored his first competitive goal for the club, helping his club to a 3–1 victory over Groningen in the Derby of the North. ^[31]

On 29 July 2022, Van Beek was appointed team captain of Heerenveen. ^[32] A few days later he extended his contract, keeping him at the club until 2025. ^[33] He suffered an Achilles tendon rupture during a game against RKC Waalwijk on 7 January 2023, which ended his season prematurely. ^[34] He made his return to action in September 2023. ^[35]

International career

Van Beek is a youth international for the Netherlands, having represented his country at under-19 and under-21 levels. He received his first call up to the senior Netherlands national team in September 2014. ^[36]

Career statistics

As of match played 25 February 2024 ^{[37] [16]}

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			KNVB Cup		Europe		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Feyenoord	2012–13	Eredivisie	0	0	1	0	0	0	—		1	0
	2013–14	Eredivisie	10	0	4	0	1	0	—		15	0
	2014–15	Eredivisie	31	1	1	0	10	1	2 [lower-alpha 1]	0	44	2
	2015–16	Eredivisie	32	2	6	0	0	0	—		38	2
	2016–17	Eredivisie	0	0	0	0	0	0	—		0	0
	2017–18	Eredivisie	20	0	4	1	4	0	—		28	1
	2018-19	Eredivisie	22	0	3	1	1	0	—		26	1
	2019–20	Eredivisie	1	0	0	0	0	0	—		1	0
	Total		116	3	19	2	16	1	2	0	153	6
Willem II (loan)	2020–21	Eredivisie	14	0	0	0	0	0	—		14	0
Heerenveen	2021–22	Eredivisie	29	1	3	0	—		2 [lower-alpha 1]	0	34	1
	2022–23	Eredivisie	15	0	1	0	—		—		16	0
	2023–24	Eredivisie	19	1	2	0	—		—		21	1
	Total		63	2	6	0	—		2	0	71	2
Career total			193	5	25	2	16	1	4	0	238	8

1. Appearances in Eredivisie play-offs

Honours

Feyenoord

• Eredivisie: 2016–17
• KNVB Cup: 2015–16, 2017–18 ^[38]
• Johan Cruijff Shield: 2018 ^[39]

References

1. "Biography". svenbeek.social. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
2. "PSV vs. Feyenoord 2–1: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
3. Kerkdijk, Daniel Cabot (18 August 2013). "'Ik weet wat Fischer kan, ik was niet bang voor hem'". Voetbalzone (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 27 February 2024. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
4. "Ajax vs. Feyenoord 2–1: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
5. "Standard Luik: geen klacht tegen goal Van Beek". Rijnmond (in Dutch). 3 October 2014. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
6. "Feyenoord verslaat Sevilla en overwintert in Europa League". NU.nl (in Dutch). 27 November 2014. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
7. "Feyenoord groepswinnaar na indrukwekkende zege in Luik". Voetbal International (in Dutch). 11 December 2014. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
8. "Feyenoord speelt in Europa League knap gelijk bij AS Roma". NU.nl (in Dutch). 19 February 2015. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
9. "Schorsing voor Te Vrede en Mulder na rode kaart tegen AS Roma". feyenoord.nl (in Dutch). Feyenoord. 20 March 2015. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
10. Lievisse Adriaanse, Mark (25 September 2014). "Eredivisie: Sven van Beek out to take Feyenoord chance". Sky Sports (in Dutch). Retrieved 23 January 2021.
11. "Van Beek: de kritiek is hard en terecht". NOS (in Dutch). 19 February 2016. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
12. "Van Beek: 'Mijn situatie vergelijkbaar met De Vrij'". Rijnmond (in Dutch). 20 February 2016. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
13. "Van Bronckhorst: 'Mooie afsluiting van goede trainingsweek'". feyenoord.nl (in Dutch). Feyenoord. 2 July 2016. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
14. ""Bij de kampioenswedstrijd liep ik op krukken, nu doen anderen dat"". GOAL (in Dutch). 28 September 2017. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
15. van der Maten, Jeffrey (12 August 2020). "De blessurehistorie van pechvogel Sven van Beek". Algemeen Dagblad (in Dutch). Retrieved 23 January 2021.
16. "S. van Beek: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
17. "Feyenoord verslaat teleurstellend AZ in 100ste bekerfinale". NOS (in Dutch). 22 April 2018. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
18. "Sven van Beek tekent contract tot 2021". feyenoord.nl (in Dutch). Feyenoord. 5 November 2018. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
19. "Koning van de eigen doelpunten: 'trefzekere' Van Beek tikt records aan". RTL Nieuws (in Dutch). 17 February 2019. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
20. "Feyenoorder Van Beek door enkelblessure opnieuw lang aan de kant". NOS (in Dutch). 11 August 2020. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
21. "Sven van Beek naar Willem II". willem-ii.nl (in Danish). Willem II. 1 February 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
22. van der Put, Max (1 February 2021). "Sven van Beek verruilt Feyenoord op huurbasis voor Willem II". Algemeen Dagblad (in Dutch). Retrieved 2 February 2021.
23. Bruijnzeels, Pim (14 February 2021). "Bijzondere rentree voor Van Beek: 'Ik maakte een schijnbeweging, naar de kleedkamer van Feyenoord'". Algemeen Dagblad (in Dutch).
24. "Feyenoord vs. Willem II - 14 februari 2021 - Soccerway". nl.soccerway.com. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
25. "Sven van Beek » Eredivisie 2020/2021". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
26. Rossmeisl, Roger (16 May 2021). "Eind goed, al goed voor Willem II". Willem II (in Dutch).
27. "Van Beek over discutabel record: 'Leuke tv, maar het boeit me niet zo veel'". Algemeen Dagblad (in Dutch). 1 May 2021. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
28. "Van Beek voor twee seizoenen naar sc Heerenveen". sc Heerenveen (in Dutch). 19 July 2021.
29. "SC Heerenveen houdt Sven van Beek in de eredivisie". Algemeen Dagblad (in Dutch). 19 July 2021.
30. "Go Ahead Eagles vs. Heerenveen 0–1: Summary". Soccerway. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
31. "Van Hooijdonk loodst Heerenveen in Derby van het Noorden langs Groningen". NOS (in Dutch). 10 April 2022. Archived from the original on 10 April 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
32. "Sven van Beek nieuwe aanvoerder van sc Heerenveen". Omrop Fryslân (in Dutch). 29 July 2022. Archived from the original on 29 July 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
33. "Aanvoerder Sven van Beek verlengt contract". sc Heerenveen (in Dutch). 3 August 2022. Archived from the original on 25 September 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
34. "Blessure houdt Van Beek maanden aan de kant". ESPN.nl (in Dutch). 9 January 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
35. Vries, Roelof de (7 September 2023). "Sven van Beek maakt comeback vol vertrouwen: "Ik hoorde bij de beste drie op mijn positie"". Omrop Fryslân (in Dutch). Retrieved 27 February 2024.
36. "Van Beek gets surprise call-up for Dutch qualifiers". uk.reuters.com. 24 September 2014. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
37. "Sven van Beek » Club matches". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
38. Feyenoord wint KNVB-beker mede dankzij prachtgoal Van Persie - AD (in Dutch)
39. "Soccerway Match Report". Soccerway. 4 August 2018. Retrieved 17 August 2018.

External links

• Sven van Beek at WorldFootball.net
• Voetbal International profile (in Dutch)