Rowan Besselink (born 11 October 2004) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Eerste Divisie club De Graafschap.

Rowan Besselink
Personal information
Date of birth (2004-10-11) 11 October 2004 (age 20)
Place of birth Rijswijk, Netherlands
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[1]
Position(s) Centre-back
Team information
Current team
De Graafschap
Number 3
Youth career
2020–2022 NAC Breda
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022–2024 NAC Breda 33 (0)
2024– De Graafschap 10 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 11:23, 2 November 2024 (UTC)

Career

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Born in Rijswijk,[1] Besselink began his career with NAC Breda,[2] where he made his senior debut in August 2022,[3] the same month he was linked with a transfer to Italy[4]. He signed his first professional contract in October 2022.[5][6]

In January 2023, following a Cup win, he was described as a "hero".[7] In October 2023, following an injury to Cuco Martina, Besselink began to play regularly for the first-team.[8] In March 2024 he spoke of "becoming a man" following his first-team experiences.[9]

On 27 August 2024, Besselink signed a multi-year contract with De Graafschap.[10]

References

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  1. ^ a b Rowan Besselink at Soccerway
  2. ^ "Rowan Besselink". voetbal.com.
  3. ^ Breda, N. A. C. "Velanas schiet frivool spelend NAC langs Helmond Sport". NAC Breda.
  4. ^ Pluijmert, Wout (4 August 2022). "Rowan Besselink in de belangstelling van Italiaanse clubs: 'Heb hier geen invloed op en richt mij op NAC'". Algemeen Dagblad (in Dutch). Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  5. ^ "Rowan Besselink tekent eerste profcontract". NAC Breda (in Dutch). 11 October 2022. Archived from the original on 11 October 2022. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  6. ^ Blanco, Yadran (11 October 2022). "NAC heeft veel vertrouwen in Besselink, verdediger tekent langjarig contract". BN De Stem (in Dutch). Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  7. ^ "Besselink schiet NAC naar volgende ronde na krankzinnige bekerthriller tegen FC Eindhoven". De Stentor (in Dutch). 10 January 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  8. ^ Blanco, Yadran (20 October 2023). "NAC-tiener laat kritiek van zich afglijden en vindt rust in zijn gitaar: 'Mentaal ben ik sterker geworden'". BN De Stem (in Dutch). Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  9. ^ Kas, Dennis (16 March 2024). "De vaste vervanger achterin bij NAC merkt dat hij groeit: 'Ik word meer een mannetje'". Brabants Dagblad (in Dutch). Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  10. ^ "De Graafschap contracteert verdediger Rowan Besselink" [De Graafschap signs defender Rowan Besselink] (in Dutch). De Graafschap. 27 August 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2024.