Mike Kleijn (born 9 February 2005) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Eredivisie club Sparta Rotterdam.

Professional career

Kleijn began playing football with the youth side of Baronie, and moved to Feyenoord's youth academy at the age of 6 in 2011.[1] He worked his way up their youth sides, eventually captaining the U18s, and signed his first professional contract with them on 2 November 2020.[2] In September 2022, he was named by English newspaper The Guardian as one of the best players born in 2005 worldwide.[3]

In his time with Feyenoord, Kleijn was included in the senior team's matchday squad only once, on 17 March 2022 in a Conference League game against Partizan, he remained on the bench in that game.[4]

On 12 April 2024, Kleijn signed a four-year contract with Sparta Rotterdam, beginning in the 2024–25 season.[5]

International career

Kleijn is a youth international for the Netherlands, and captained the Netherlands U17s at the 2022 UEFA European Under-17 Championship.[6]

Career statistics

As of match played 2 March 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Sparta Rotterdam 2024–25 Eredivisie 5 0 0 0 — 0 0 5 0
Jong Sparta 2024–25 Tweede Divisie 10 0 — — — 10 0
Career total 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 0

References

  1. ^ Theunis, Jeroen (12 November 2021). "Bredanaar Mike Kleijn (16) is een 'stille leider' bij Feyenoord, maar laat zijn voeten altijd spreken". BN DeStem (in Dutch). Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  2. ^ "Mike Kleijn tekent contract bij Feyenoord |". 2 November 2020.
  3. ^ Christenson, Marcus; Bloor, Steven; Blight, Garry (28 September 2022). "Next Generation 2022: 60 of the best young talents in world football". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
  4. ^ "Feyenoord v Partizan game report". UEFA. 17 March 2022.
  5. ^ "SPARTA LEGT JEUGDINTERNATIONAL MIKE KLEIJN VAST" [SPARTA SIGNS YOUTH INTERNATIONAL MIKE KLEIJN] (in Dutch). Sparta Rotterdam. 12 April 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  6. ^ "Definitieve selectie Onder 17 voor EK in Israël". www.onsoranje.nl.
Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Kleijn
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