Robert Klaasen Explained

Robert Klaasen
Birth Date:6 September 1993
Birth Place:Amsterdam, Netherlands
Height:1.77 m[1]
Position:Midfielder
Youthyears1:1999–2000
Youthclubs1:Zeeburgia
Youthyears2:2000–2005
Youthclubs2:Ajax
Youthyears3:2005–2006
Youthclubs3:HFC Haarlem
Youthyears4:2006–2007
Youthclubs4:Feyenoord
Youthyears5:2007–2013
Youthclubs5:AZ
Years1:2013–2016
Clubs1:Kortrijk
Caps1:36
Goals1:1
Years2:2016–2017
Clubs2:Sparta Rotterdam
Caps2:5
Goals2:1
Years3:2017
Clubs3:De Graafschap (loan)
Caps3:16
Goals3:0
Years4:2017–2019
Clubs4:De Graafschap
Caps4:32
Goals4:0
Years5:2019–2022
Clubs5:Roda JC
Caps5:100
Goals5:4
Years6:2022–2024
Clubs6:VVV-Venlo
Caps6:48
Goals6:2
Nationalyears1:2011–2013
Nationalteam1:Netherlands U18
Nationalcaps1:6
Nationalgoals1:1
Club-Update:10 May 2024

Robert Klaasen (born 6 September 1993) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a midfielder. He most notably played for Kortrijk, De Graafschap, Roda JC and VVV-Venlo.

Career

Early years

Klaasen started his football career at the age of six at Zeeburgia. He left the club after a year for Ajax's youth academy. After playing in Amsterdam for five years, he moved to the youth academy of HFC Haarlem. There he played one year in the academy before moving to Feyenoord in 2006.[2]

He then joined AZ from Feyenoord's youth academy in 2007, and signed a two-year senior contract with the club on 19 May 2011.[3] Coming through the AZ academy, Klaasen described himself as a "holding midfielder, with a good shot and vision. I can be compared to Stijn Schaars."[4] Ahead of the 2012–13 season, some of the club's talents, including Klaasen, were given the chance to join the first team's pre-season friendlies. He would, however, play the season with the youth team. At the end of the season, Klaasen's contract was terminated.[5]

Kortrijk

Prior to the start of the 2013–14 season, Klaassen trialled with Kortrijk.[6] He tested for around four weeks before it was announced that he became part of the team, signing a three-year contract on 20 July 2013.[7] Klaasen made his professional debut on 27 July 2013, replacing Gertjan De Mets in the 78th minute of a 1–0 home win over OH Leuven.[8] On 7 December 2013, four months after his last appearance, he scored his first goal in professional football, the 1–1 equalizer in the 87th minute against Sporting Charleroi.[9] [10] He made his first start on 22 February 2014, playing the full ninety minutes against Mons.[11]

Sparta Rotterdam

On 8 January 2016, Klaasen moved to Sparta Rotterdam, where he signed a contract until the end of the season with an option to extend for two seasons.[12] He made his debut for the club ten days later, on 18 January, replacing Ryan Sanusi in the 83rd minute of a 5–2 victory over RKC Waalwijk in the Eerste Divisie.[13] His first start came in the 2–1 league win at FC Den Bosch on 31 January.[14] [15] On 12 February, Klaasen scored his first goal for Sparta in a 3–0 away win over Achilles '29.[16] Sparta picked up the option in Klaasen's contract on 22 February, extending his contract until 2018.[17]

Klaasen made five appearances for Sparta that, scoring once,[18] as the club won the Eerste Divisie and reached promotion to the Eredivisie.

De Graafschap

On 26 January 2017, Klaasen was sent on a six-month loan until the end of the season to De Graafschap, competing in the Eerste Divisie.[19] He made his debut for the club as a starter in a 3–2 league loss to Jong FC Utrecht on 30 January 2017.[20] He signed a permanent deal with the club on 2 May 2017, a one-year contract with an option for an additional season.[21]

On 11 May 2018, Klaasen extended his contract with De Graafschap until 2019. Upon signing, technical director Peter Hofstede stated: "Robert has made strides this season. We think he can grow further and want to give him that chance here."[22]

Roda JC

On 7 July 2019, Klaasen joined Eerste Divisie club Roda JC on a two-year contract.[23] He made his debut for the club on the first matchday of the season as a starter in the 1–1 home draw against Almere City.[24] [25]

Klaasen scored his first goal for Roda JC on 5 December 2020, opening the score from a free kick in a 1–1 draw away against Jong PSV.[26]

VVV-Venlo

Klaasen moved to VVV-Venlo on 10 June 2022, signing a two-year contract.[27] His club debut came on the first matchday of the 2022–23 season in a 3–0 home win over Almere City.[28] On 11 December, he scored his first goal for the club, helping the club to a 2–1 victory against provincial rivals MVV Maastricht.[29]

Personal life

Klaasen is the son-in-law of,[30] who became chairman of NEC Nijmegen in 2017.[31]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Kortrijk2013–14Belgian Pro League15100151
2014–15Belgian Pro League21010220
Total36110371
Sparta Rotterdam2015–16Eerste Divisie510051
2016–17Eredivisie000000
Total510051
De Graafschap (loan)2016–17Eerste Divisie16000160
De Graafschap2017–18Eerste Divisie2201040270
2018–19Eredivisie1001000110
Total4802040540
Roda JC2019–20Eerste Divisie28010294
2020–21Eerste Divisie3721020402
2021–22Eerste Divisie3522020392
Total100440401084
VVV-Venlo2022–23Eerste Divisie3321040382
2023–24Eerste Divisie801090
Total4122040472
Career total2308101202518

Honours

Sparta Rotterdam

Notes and References

  1. Web site: R. Klaasen – Profiel . Voetbal International . 29 December 2022.
  2. Web site: Rugnummer 6 Robert Klaasen: 'Het kan snel gaan in het voetbal' . Roda JC Kerkrade . 29 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191212171440/https://www.rodajckerkrade.nl/nieuwsbericht/26-09-2019/rugnummer-6-%7C-robert-klaasen-het-kan-snel-gaan-in-het-voetbal . 12 December 2019 . nl . 26 September 2019 . live.
  3. News: AZ contracteert Robert Klaasen . 29 December 2022 . NH Nieuws . 19 May 2011 . nl.
  4. News: Kerkdijk . Daniël Cabot . 'Goede trap, goed inzicht en qua type ben ik te vergelijken met Schaars' . 29 December 2022 . Voetbalzone . 18 May 2011 . nl.
  5. News: Klaasen (AZ) test bij KV Kortrijk . 29 December 2022 . Het Nieuwsblad . 20 June 2013 . nl-BE.
  6. News: "Dit was de beste stage die ik meemaakte" . 29 December 2022 . Voetbalnieuws . 2 July 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221229140157/https://www.voetbalnieuws.be/news/66917/dit-was-de-beste-stage-die-ik-meemaakte . 29 December 2022 . nl.
  7. News: Klaasen tekent bij KV Kortrijk . 29 December 2022 . RTL Nieuws . 20 July 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221229140328/https://www.rtlnieuws.nl/sport/voetbal/artikel/2492236/klaasen-tekent-bij-kv-kortrijk . 29 December 2022 . nl.
  8. Web site: KV Kortrijk – Oud-Heverlee Leuven 1:0 (Eerste klasse A 2013/2014, 1. Round) . WorldFootball.net . HEIM:SPIEL . 29 December 2022.
  9. News: Derauw . Dries . Invaller Klaasen schenkt Kortrijk punt tegen gretig Charleroi . 29 December 2022 . Het Laatste Nieuws . 7 December 2013 . nl-BE.
  10. News: De Graeve . Sander . Klaasen: "Scoorde met m'n chocoladebeentje" . 29 December 2022 . Voetbalkrant . 7 December 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221229140708/https://www.voetbalkrant.com/nieuws/2013-12-07/klaasen-scoorde-met-mn-chocoladebeentje . 29 December 2022 . nl-BE.
  11. Web site: KV Kortrijk – RAEC Mons 1:2 (Eerste klasse A 2013/2014, 27. Round) . WorldFootball.net . HEIM:SPIEL . 29 December 2022 . en.
  12. News: Robert Klaasen tekent bij Sparta . 29 December 2022 . Rijnmond . 8 January 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221229141156/https://www.rijnmond.nl/nieuws/136927/robert-klaasen-tekent-bij-sparta . 29 December 2022 . nl.
  13. News: Sparta na zege op RKC steviger aan kop in Jupiler League . 29 December 2022 . NU.nl . 18 January 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160426104334/http://www.nu.nl/voetbal/4199958/sparta-zege-rkc-steviger-kop-in-jupiler-league.html . 26 April 2016 . nl.
  14. News: Sparta ontsnapt in Den Bosch, Go Ahead onderuit . 29 December 2022 . Voetbal International . 31 January 2016 . nl.
  15. Web site: FC Den Bosch – Sparta Rotterdam 1:2 (Eerste Divisie 2015/2016, 23. Round) . WorldFootball.net . HEIM:SPIEL . 29 December 2022.
  16. News: Koploper Sparta Rotterdam veel te sterk voor Achilles'29 . 29 December 2022 . Sportnieuws . 12 February 2016 . nl-NL.
  17. Web site: Robert Klaasen langer bij Sparta Rotterdam . Sparta Rotterdam . 29 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221229142427/https://www.sparta-rotterdam.nl/robert-klaasen-langer-bij-sparta-rotterdam/ . 29 December 2022 . nl . 22 February 2016 . live.
  18. Web site: Robert Klaasen » Club matches . WorldFootball.net . HEIM:SPIEL . 29 December 2022.
  19. Web site: Robert Klaasen vertrekt naar De Graafschap . Sparta Rotterdam . 29 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221229142825/https://www.sparta-rotterdam.nl/robert-klaasen-vertrekt-naar-de-graafschap/ . 29 December 2022 . nl . 26 January 2017 . live.
  20. Web site: De Graafschap onderuit in uitduel bij Jong FC Utrecht . De Graafschap . 29 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221229143349/https://www.degraafschap.nl/nieuws/de-graafschap-onderuit-in-uitduel-bij-jong-fc-utrecht . 29 December 2022 . nl . 30 January 2017 . live.
  21. News: Robert Klaasen definitief naar De Graafschap . 29 December 2022 . Rijnmond . 2 May 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221229143018/https://www.rijnmond.nl/nieuws/154501/robert-klaasen-definitief-naar-de-graafschap . 29 December 2022 . nl.
  22. Web site: De Graafschap verlengt contract met Robert Klaasen . De Graafschap . 29 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221229143702/https://www.degraafschap.nl/nieuws/de-graafschap-verlengt-contract-met-robert-klaasen . 29 December 2022 . nl . 11 May 2018 . live.
  23. Web site: Roda JC Kerkrade bereikt overeenstemming met Robert Klaasen . Roda JC Kerkrade . 29 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210801054805/https://www.rodajckerkrade.nl/nieuwsbericht/07-07-2019/roda-jc-kerkrade-bereikt-overeenstemming-met-robert-klaasen . 1 August 2021 . nl . 7 July 2019 . live.
  24. News: City FC speelt gelijk bij Roda JC . 29 December 2022 . Omroep Flevoland . 9 August 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190810211358/https://www.omroepflevoland.nl/sport/173208/live-roda-jc-almere-city-fc-1-1 . 10 August 2019 . nl.
  25. Web site: Roda JC Kerkrade – Almere City FC 1:1 (Eerste Divisie 2019/2020, 1. Round) . WorldFootball.net . HEIM:SPIEL . 29 December 2022.
  26. News: Vorstermans . Ron . TOP Oss wint van Jong AZ, Jong PSV speelt gelijk tegen Roda JC . 29 December 2022 . Omroep Brabant . 5 December 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210128032557/https://www.omroepbrabant.nl/nieuws/3302848/top-oss-wint-van-jong-az-jong-psv-speelt-gelijk-tegen-roda-jc . 28 January 2021 . nl.
  27. Web site: VVV-Venlo haalt Robert Klaasen binnen . VVV-Venlo . 9 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220629021912/https://www.vvv-venlo.nl/nieuws/vvv-venlo-haalt-robert-klaasen-binnen . 29 June 2022 . nl . 10 June 2022 . live.
  28. News: Jongen . Guy . VVV-Venlo wint in openingswedstrijd van Almere City . 29 December 2022 . Venlonaren . 5 August 2022 . nl.
  29. Web site: Oppermachtig VVV-Venlo verslaat MVV in meeslepende derby . VVV-Venlo . 29 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221212142958/https://www.vvv-venlo.nl/nieuws/oppermachtig-vvv-venlo-verslaat-mvv-in-meeslepende-derby . 12 December 2022 . nl . 11 December 2022 . live.
  30. News: Beladen krachtmeting NEC-directeur Wilco van Schaik met schoonzoon Robert Klaasen . 29 December 2022 . De Telegraaf . 20 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210916085355/https://www.telegraaf.nl/sport/304707298/beladen-krachtmeting-nec-directeur-wilco-van-schaik-met-schoonzoon-robert-klaasen . 16 September 2021 . nl.
  31. News: Lammers . Lex . Wilco van Schaik nieuwe algemeen directeur NEC . 29 December 2022 . De Gelderlander . 28 June 2017 . nl.
  32. News: Sparta Rotterdam terug in de eredivisie . 29 December 2022 . NOS . 11 April 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221229134837/https://nos.nl/artikel/2098596-sparta-rotterdam-terug-in-de-eredivisie . 29 December 2022 . nl.