Michael Breij (born 15 January 1997) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or right winger for Liga I club Sepsi OSK.[1]

Michael Breij
Personal information
Date of birth (1997-01-15) 15 January 1997 (age 27)
Place of birth Amstelveen, Netherlands
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Attacking midfielder, right winger[1]
Team information
Current team
Sepsi OSK
Number 8
Youth career
0000–2008 RKAVIC
2007–2008 SV Ouderkerk
2008–2009 AFC
2009–2016 AZ
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016–2019 Jong Groningen 61 (29)
2018–2019 Groningen 12 (1)
2020–2024 Cambuur 125 (23)
2024– Sepsi OSK 5 (0)
International career
2013 Netherlands U16 1 (0)
2015 Netherlands U18 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19 August 2024

Club career

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Early years

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Breij was born in Amstelveen and played football for amateur club RKAVIC in his youth. After a year at SV Ouderkerk and one at AFC, he moved to AZ in 2009. He spent seven years in the youth academy of the Alkmaar club before joining Groningen's under-23s in the summer of 2016.[2]

Groningen

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Between 2016 and 2019, Breij became a key player for the under-23 team, captaining the squad and scoring 21 goals in 30 appearances during the 2017–18 Derde Divisie season.[2]

Breij made his professional debut for Groningen on 19 April 2018, in a 1–1 Eredivisie draw against Utrecht, coming on in the 73rd minute as a substitute for Jesper Drost.[3][4]

On 14 May 2018, Breij signed a one-year contract with Groningen with an option for an additional season.[2] He scored his first professional goal on 25 August, helping his team to a 1–0 league victory against De Graafschap.[5]

Cambuur

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On 20 December 2019, it was announced that Breij had signed with Cambuur until the summer of 2021.[6] He made his debut on 17 January 2020 in a 3–2 loss to TOP Oss, coming on as a substitute in the 72nd minute for Mitchell Paulissen.[7] On 21 February, he scored his first goal for the club in a 2–0 home win over Roda JC Kerkrade.[8][9]

In his second season at the club, Breij was part of the Cambuur team winning the Eerste Divisie title, scoring seven goals in 30 appearances.[1][10] He also scored his first brace that season, adding an assist, helping Cambuur to a 3–0 away win over Volendam on 2 April 2021.[11]

On 4 February 2022, Breij signed a contract extension, keeping him at Cambuur until 2024 with an option for an additional season.[12]

Breij left Cambuur at the end of the 2023–24 season after five seasons in which he made 134 total competitive appearances, scoring 25 goals.[1][13]

Sepsi OSK

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On 27 June 2024, Breij signed a two-year contract with Romanian Liga I club Sepsi OSK, with an option to extend.[14][15]

International career

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Breij played for Netherlands youth teams, representing his country at under-16 and under-18 level.[16]

Career statistics

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As of match played 30 October 2024[1]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Jong Groningen 2016–17 Derde Divisie 22 4 22 4
2017–18 Derde Divisie 30 20 30 20
2018–19 Derde Divisie 9 5 9 5
Total 61 29 61 29
Groningen 2017–18 Eredivisie 3 0 0 0 3 0
2018–19 Eredivisie 9 1 1 0 10 1
Total 12 1 1 0 13 1
Cambuur 2019–20 Eerste Divisie 8 3 8 3
2020–21 Eerste Divisie 29 7 1 0 30 7
2021–22 Eredivisie 27 2 1 0 28 2
2022–23 Eredivisie 32 2 2 0 34 2
2023–24 Eerste Divisie 29 9 5 2 34 11
Total 125 23 9 2 134 25
Sepsi OSK 2024–25 Liga I 5 0 1 0 6 0
Career total 203 53 11 2 0 0 214 55

Honours

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Cambuur

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Michael Breij at WorldFootball.net
  2. ^ a b c "Breij en Postma tekenen contract bij FC Groningen". FC Groningen (in Dutch). 14 May 2018. Archived from the original on 10 June 2024. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  3. ^ "Alles in evenwicht in Utrecht". FC Groningen (in Dutch). 19 April 2018. Archived from the original on 10 June 2024. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  4. ^ "Utrecht vs. Groningen 1–1: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Archived from the original on 10 May 2023. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  5. ^ "Eerste punten Groningen na winst op De Graafschap". NOS (in Dutch). 25 August 2018. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  6. ^ "EN DOOR: SC Cambuur versterkt zich met Michael Breij". SC Cambuur (Press release) (in Dutch). 20 December 2019. Archived from the original on 10 May 2023. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  7. ^ "TOP Oss vs. Cambuur 3–2 Summary". Soccerway. Archived from the original on 10 May 2023. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  8. ^ "Cambuur vs. Roda JC 2–0: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Archived from the original on 10 May 2023. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  9. ^ "Eerste doelpunt Breij voor Cambuur: "Hij staat toch wel op mijn naam?"". Omrop Fryslân (in Dutch). 21 February 2020. Archived from the original on 12 May 2023. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  10. ^ a b "Cambuur officieel kampioen eerste divisie, honderden supporters onthalen ploeg". NOS (in Dutch). 23 April 2021. Archived from the original on 6 May 2023. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  11. ^ Nauta, Piet Jan (3 April 2021). "Zege van SC Cambuur tegen Volendam zet zoden aan de dijk". Friesch Dagblad (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 10 June 2024. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  12. ^ "STIEREN: Michael Breij langer in geel-blauwe dienst". SC Cambuur (in Dutch). 4 February 2022. Archived from the original on 2 June 2023. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  13. ^ Faber, Andor (26 April 2024). "Michael Breij na frustrerende weken terug bij Cambuur: "Seizoen met veel downs en weinig ups"". Omrop Fryslân (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 26 April 2024. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  14. ^ "Lotul echipei s-a întărit cu un atacant". Sepsi OSK (in Romanian). 27 June 2024. Archived from the original on 29 June 2024. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  15. ^ "Michael Breij (27) heeft buitenlands avontuur te pakken: aanvaller verruilt SC Cambuur voor Roemeense club". Leeuwarder Courant (in Dutch). 28 June 2024. Archived from the original on 29 June 2024. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  16. ^ Nauta, Piet Jan (20 February 2020). "Michael Breij doet een beroep op zijn geduld en vecht voor zijn plek bij Cambuur". Friesch Dagblad (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 10 June 2024. Retrieved 10 June 2024.