Jetro Willems
{{Short description|Dutch footballer (born 1994)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Jetro Willems
| image = PSV Eindhoven, Teamcamp Bad Erlach, July 2014 (154) (cropped).jpg
| caption = Willems training with PSV Eindhoven in 2014
| full_name = Jetro Danovich Sexer Willems{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/1335777 |title=2019/20 Premier League squads confirmed |publisher=Premier League |date=3 September 2019 |access-date=3 September 2019}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|3|30|df=y}}{{Cite web|url=https://us.soccerway.com/players/jetro-willems/161282/|title=Netherlands – J. Willems – Profile with news, career statistics and history – Soccerway|website=us.soccerway.com}}
| birth_place = Willemstad, Curaçao{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaW9dcZi_uY|title=Jetro " Di velt pa SDKK" Documentary|via=YouTube}}
| position = Left-back, left wing-back
| currentclub =
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = Spartaan'20
| youthyears2 = | youthclubs2 = Sparta Rotterdam
| years1 = 2010–2011 | clubs1 = Sparta Rotterdam | caps1 = 16 | goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2011–2017 | clubs2 = PSV | caps2 = 144 | goals2 = 11
| years3 = 2017–2021 | clubs3 = Eintracht Frankfurt | caps3 = 46 | goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2019–2020 | clubs4 = → Newcastle United (loan) | caps4 = 19 | goals4 = 2
| years5 = 2021–2022 | clubs5 = Greuther Fürth | caps5 = 25 | goals5 = 1
| years6 = 2023 | clubs6 = Groningen | caps6 = 7 | goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2023–2024 | clubs7 = Heracles Almelo | caps7 = 20 | goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2024–2025 | clubs8 = Castellón | caps8 = 20 | goals8 = 1
| nationalyears1 = 2010–2011 |nationalteam1 = Netherlands U17 |nationalcaps1 = 15 |nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2011 |nationalteam2 = Netherlands U19 |nationalcaps2 = 2 |nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalyears3 = 2013–2014 |nationalteam3 = Netherlands U21 |nationalcaps3 = 5 |nationalgoals3 = 0
| nationalyears4 = 2012–2016 |nationalteam4 = Netherlands |nationalcaps4 = 22 |nationalgoals4 = 0
| pcupdate = 30 May 2025
| ntupdate =
| medaltemplates =
{{Medal|Sport|Men's football}}
{{Medal|Country|{{fb|NED}}}}
{{Medal|Comp|UEFA European Under-17 Championship}}
{{Medal|W|2011 Serbia|}}
}}
Jetro Danovich Sexer Willems (born 30 March 1994) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a left wing-back or left-back.
Willems represented the Netherlands national team at UEFA Euro 2012; he played in the Netherlands' opening match of the tournament at the age of 18 years and 71 days, making him the youngest player ever to play in the UEFA European Championship at the time. The record is now held by Spain's Lamine Yamal.
Club career
=Sparta Rotterdam=
Willems began his career with amateur side Spartaan '20 from whom he joined Sparta Rotterdam. During his time with Sparta he progressed through the club's youth academy and made his senior debut on 16 January 2011, in a match against Go Ahead Eagles.[http://www.vi.nl/Wedstrijden/Wedstrijd.htm?dbid=211227&typeofpage=84140 Sparta Rotterdam – Go Ahead Eagles (16-01-2011)]; Voetbal International, 16 January 2011 {{in lang|nl}} He made 16 appearances in the Dutch second division.{{cite web |title=Jetro Willems » Club matches |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/jetro-willems/2/ |publisher=World Football |access-date=21 September 2018}}
=PSV=
File:Dinamo-PSV (11).jpg in 2014]]
On 31 August 2011, Willems joined PSV Eindhoven on a three-year contract.[http://www.psv.nl/Nieuws/Nieuwspagina/Jeugdinternational-Jetro-Willems-naar-PSV.htm Jeugdinternational Jetro Willems naar PSV (Youth International Jetro Willems on PSV)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120607040046/http://www.psv.nl/Nieuws/Nieuwspagina/Jeugdinternational-Jetro-Willems-naar-PSV.htm |date=7 June 2012 }}; PSV Eindhoven, 31 August 2011 {{in lang|nl}} He received the number 43 jersey and made his PSV debut on 23 October in a match against Vitesse.[http://www.vi.nl/Wedstrijden/Wedstrijd.htm?dbid=225775&typeofpage=84140 Vitesse – PSV (23-10-2011)]; Voetbal International, 23 October 2011 {{in lang|nl}} Willems became the youngest Dutchman to play in a UEFA competition when he started against Hapoel Tel Aviv on 3 November in a UEFA Europa League group stage match.[https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/match/2007353--psv-vs-h-tel-aviv/ PSV fight back to progress against Hapoel Tel-Aviv]; UEFA, 3 November 2011 That same month, he was permanently promoted to the first team squad.[http://www.ed.nl/sport/psv/9973742/Willems-definitief-naar-eerste-selectie-PSV.ece Willems definitief naar eerste selectie PSV (Willems' definitely on PSV's first team)]; ED, 29 November 2011 {{in lang|nl}}
In December, Willems was targeted for a move to Manchester United, with then United manager Sir Alex Ferguson looking for "the next Patrice Evra".{{Cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/manchester-united-chase-psv-eindhoven-3311768|title=Man United plot swoop for Dutch starlet|first=Mirror|last=Football|date=11 December 2011|website=mirror}} On 3 April 2012, Willems' contract was upgraded and extended until 2016.[http://www.psv.nl/Nieuws/Nieuwspagina/Contract-Jetro-Willems-opengebroken-en-verlengd.htm Contract Jetro Willems opengebroken en verlengd (Jetro Willems' contract broken and extended)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120606080208/http://www.psv.nl/Nieuws/Nieuwspagina/Contract-Jetro-Willems-opengebroken-en-verlengd.htm |date=6 June 2012 }}; PSV Eindhoven, 3 April 2012 {{in lang|nl}}
Willems scored his first professional – and PSV – goal on 22 April 2012 in a match against NEC.[http://www.vi.nl/Wedstrijden/Wedstrijd.htm?dbid=225963&typeofpage=84140 PSV – NEC (22-04-2012)]; Voetbal International, 22 April 2012 {{in lang|nl}} With this goal, he became the youngest goalscorer in the 2011–12 Eredivisie. He experienced a great amount of playing time in the 2011–12 season because full-back Erik Pieters was injured. Although being young and quite inexperienced, Willems quickly showed evidence of his raw talent, especially his technique and attacking traits.
On 15 July 2015, Willems suffered a serious injury and missed the first half of the 2015–16 season.
= Eintracht Frankfurt =
On 17 July 2017, Willems joined Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt to replace Bastian Oczipka, who, in turn joined Schalke 04. The transfer fee paid to PSV was reported as between €5 million and €9 million, depending on the source.{{cite news|title=PSV defender Willems joins Frankfurt|url=https://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2017/07/22/psv-defender-willems-joins-frankfurt|access-date=22 July 2017|work=Special Broadcasting Service|date=22 July 2017}}{{cite news|title=Fix: Rekordhalter Willems beerbt Oczipka in Frankfurt|url=https://www.kicker.de/fix_rekordhalter-willems-beerbt-oczipka-in-frankfurt-701853/artikel|access-date=22 July 2017|work=kicker Online|date=21 July 2017|language=de}}{{cite web|url=http://www.rp-online.de/sport/fussball/eintracht-frankfurt/eintracht-frankfurt-jetro-willems-kommt-fuer-sechs-millionen-euro-aid-1.6953662.amp|title=Frankfurt holt Niederländer Willems als Oczipka-Ersatz|publisher=RP Online|language=de|date=17 July 2017}} Willems made 29 appearances during the 2017–18 season,{{cite web |title=Jetro Willems |url=https://www.kicker.de/jetro-willems/spieler/la-liga-2/2024-25/cd-castellon |website=Kicker |publisher=kicker |access-date=21 September 2018 |language=de}} which included the surprise win over Bayern Munich in the German Cup final.{{cite web |title=Rebic und Gacinovic schießen Frankfurt zum Pokalsieg |url=https://www.kicker.de/bayern-gegen-frankfurt-2018-dfb-pokal-4207407/analyse |website=Kicker |publisher=kicker |date=19 May 2018 |access-date=21 September 2018 |language=de}}
Willems started the 2018–19 season by starting in the German Super Cup.{{cite web |title=FCB gewinnt Supercup – Lewandowski macht den Unterschied |url=https://www.kicker.de/frankfurt-gegen-bayern-2018-dfl-supercup-4213948/analyse |website=Kicker |publisher=kicker |date=12 August 2018 |access-date=21 September 2018 |language=de}}
==2019–20 season: Loan to Newcastle United==
On 2 August 2019, Willems joined Newcastle United of the Premier League on a season-long loan deal with an option to buy.{{cite web|url=https://www.nufc.co.uk/news/galleries/jetro-willems-first-day-in-pictures/|title=Jetro Willems' first day in pictures|publisher=NUFC|access-date=2 August 2019}} Willems scored his first goal for Newcastle and in the Premier League on 14 September, putting the Magpies into a shock lead at reigning UEFA Champions League winners Liverpool, but the side eventually fell to a 1–3 defeat.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/49617986|title=Premier League leaders Liverpool shrugged off an early scare to sweep past Newcastle and maintain their 100% start to the season with another dominant attacking display.|publisher=BBC Sport|date=14 September 2019|access-date=2 July 2020}} Willems then scored in a 2–2 draw with reigning league champions Manchester City on 30 November.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50526605|title=Manchester City's hopes of retaining their Premier League title were dealt another blow when Jonjo Shelvey's stunning late equaliser earned Newcastle a point at St James' Park.|publisher=BBC Sport|date=30 November 2019|access-date=2 July 2020}}
He was ever-present in the Newcastle side during the first half of the season and made 20 appearances for the Magpies, until he suffered a season ending injury when he tore his ACL in January 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.nufc.co.uk/news/latest-news/bruce-confirms-willems-and-dummett-set-to-miss-rest-of-the-season/|title=Bruce confirms Willems and Dummett set to miss rest of the season|website=nufc.co.uk|date=20 January 2020|access-date=25 December 2021}} He left the club when his loan expired on 1 July 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/jetro-willems-says-newcastle-hold-18517917|title=Jetro Willems says Newcastle will hold a 'special place' in his heart as his loan deal comes to end|website=Chronicle Live|date=30 June 2020|access-date=2 July 2020}}
Consequently, Willems returned to Frankfurt for the 2020-21 Bundesliga season. During the first half of the season, he continued his recovery from his knee injury. After almost a year of rehabilitation, Willems re-joined the group training of Eintracht Frankfurt at the beginning of 2021, but did not make any appearances for the rest of the season.{{cn|date=April 2024}} Willems left Eintracht Frankfurt after his contract expired at the end of the season. In total, he made 65 appearances for the club.
=Greuther Fürth=
In August 2021, Willems signed a two-year contract with newly promoted Bundesliga side Greuther Fürth and has been given the number 15 jersey.{{cite web|url=https://www.bundesliga.com/de/bundesliga/news/spvgg-greuther-furth-jetro-willems-transfer-wechsel-eintracht-frankfurt-17048|title=Die SpVgg Greuther Fürth verpflichtet Jetro Willems|website=bundesliga.com|date=25 August 2021|access-date=25 December 2021|language=de}} He left the club on 1 September 2022, after his contract was terminated.{{cite web|url=https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/willems-gratis-op-te-pikken-greuther-furth-verscheurt-contract|title=Willems gratis op te pikken: Greuther Fürth verscheurt contract|date=1 September 2022|access-date=11 December 2022|language=nl}}
=Groningen=
On 23 February 2023, Willems joined Eredivisie club Groningen on a contract until the end of the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.fcgroningen.nl/nieuws/fc-groningen-contracteert-willems/|title=FC GRONINGEN CONTRACTEERT WILLEMS.|trans-title=FC GRONINGEN SIGNS WILLEMS.|language=Dutch|website=fcgroningen.nl|date=23 February 2023|accessdate=23 February 2023}}
=Heracles Almelo=
On 14 June 2023, Willems signed a one-year contract with Heracles Almelo, with an option for the second year.{{cite web|publisher=Heracles Almelo|url=https://www.heracles.nl/2023/06/14/jetro-willems/|title=HERACLES ALMELO TREKT JETRO WILLEMS AAN|date=14 June 2023|language=nl}}
=Castellón=
On 25 July 2024, Willems signed for Spanish Segunda División side Castellón, after a trial period.{{cite web|url=https://www.cdcastellon.com/jetro-willems-nuevo-jugador-del-cd-castellon/|title=Jetro Willems, nuevo jugador del CD Castellón|trans-title=Jetro Willems, new player of CD Castellón|publisher=CD Castellón|language=es|date=25 July 2024|accessdate=25 July 2024}}
International career
File:Dennis Rommedahl - Jetro Willems 20120609.jpg at UEFA Euro 2012]]
In 2011, Willems won the 2011 UEFA European Under-17 Championship with the Netherlands under-17 team.[https://www.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Download/TechnicalReport/competitions/Under17/01/64/88/25/1648825_DOWNLOAD.pdf UEFA European Under-17 Championship 2011], UEFA.com, Retrieved 1. 9. 2014 While being selected for the under-19 squad, on 7 May 2012 Willems was named in the provisional list of 36 players for UEFA Euro 2012, one of nine uncapped players to be chosen by senior team manager Bert van Marwijk as part of the preliminary squad. He was still in the Oranje squad for Euro 2012 after Van Marwijk had made a first cut to 27 players on 15 May 2012.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/news/0254-0d7dcfa0f9a6-bd209cead489-1000--van-marwijk-cuts-provisional-dutch-squad-to-27/|title=UEFA EURO 2016 – News – UEFA.com|publisher=UEFA|date=15 May 2012}} Willems also made the final cut into the 23-man squad, being given the number 15 shirt.[https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/news/0254-0d7de4fefa53-a01233214d48-1000--bouma-and-willems-make-final-dutch-squad/ Bouma and Willems make final Dutch squad]; UEFA, 26 May 2012 He made his first unofficial appearance for the senior national team on 22 May 2012 in a friendly match against Bayern Munich.
On 26 May 2012, Willems made his first appearance with the senior Dutch side in a match against Bulgaria.[http://www.vi.nl/eknieuws/221615/Oranje-met-Van-Persie-en-ook-Huntelaar-tegen-Bulgarije.htm Oranje met Van Persie én ook Huntelaar tegen Bulgarije (Oranje with Van Persie and Huntelaar against Bulgaria)]; Voetbal International, 26 May 2012 {{in lang|nl}}
At the Euro 2012, Willems made his first start for the Netherlands, against Denmark, becoming the youngest ever player to play at the Euros and the fourth-youngest player to play for the Netherlands, at 18 years and 71 days of age.[http://espnfc.com/us/en/news/1092835/jetro-willems-sets-age-mark.html Jetro Willems sets age mark] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120613184029/http://espnfc.com/us/en/news/1092835/jetro-willems-sets-age-mark.html |date=13 June 2012 }}; ESPN The record was previously held by Belgian Enzo Scifo, at 18 years and 115 days.[https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/news/0254-0d7e16233fd7-0b794fdbc7b7-1000--teenager-willems-breaks-scifo-s-record/ Teenager Willems breaks Scifo's record]; UEFA, 9 June 2012 He featured in all the group stage games, however the Netherlands were eliminated from the tournament after losing all three group stage matches.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18139436 "Portugal 2–1 Netherlands"] BBC Sport. 17 June 2012. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|match played on 14 June 2020}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National Cup !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="3"|Sparta Rotterdam
|13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 12 | 0 | |||
| 2011–12
|Eerste Divisie |3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 0 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 | |
| rowspan="7"|PSV
|20 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 6{{efn|name=UEL|Appearances in UEFA Europa League}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 29 | 1 | ||
| 2012–13
|Eredivisie |26 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4{{efn|name=UEL}} | 0 | 1{{efn|name=JCS|Appearance in Johan Cruyff Shield}} | 0 | 34 | 0 | |
| 2013–14
|Eredivisie |28 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 9{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Champions League, appearances in UEFA Europa League}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 38 | 4 | ||
| 2014–15
|Eredivisie |30 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 8{{efn|name=UEL}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 41 | 3 | ||
| 2015–16
|Eredivisie |15 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1{{efn|name=UCL|Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 17 | 2 | ||
| 2016–17
|Eredivisie |24 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5{{efn|name=UCL}} | 0 | 1{{efn|name=JCS}} | 0 | 31 | 2 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!143 | 11 | 12||1 | 33 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 190 | 12 | ||
| rowspan="4"|Eintracht Frankfurt
|23 | 0 | 6 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 29 | 0 | |||
| 2018–19
|Bundesliga |22 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 11{{efn|name=UEL}} | 0 | 1{{efn|Appearance in DFL-Supercup}} | 0 | 35 | 0 | |
| 2020–21
|Bundesliga |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!45 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 64 | 0 | |
| Newcastle United (loan)
|19 | 2 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1{{efn|Appearance in EFL Cup}} | 0 | 20 | 2 | ||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!223 | 12 | 19 | 1 | 44 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 289 | 14 |
{{notelist}}
=International=
{{Updated|10 October 2016}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year | |||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="5"|Netherlands
|2012 | 8 | 0 | |
| 2013 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2014 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2015 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2016 | 6 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total | 22 | 0 |
Honours
Eintracht Frankfurt
- DFB-Pokal: 2017–18{{cite web|url=https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1277751/Live/Germany-DFB-Pokal-2017-2018-Bayern-Munich-Eintracht-Frankfurt|title=Bayern Munich 1-3 Eintracht Frankfurt|publisher=Whoscored.com|access-date=20 May 2018}}
Netherlands U17
- UEFA European Under-17 Championship: 2011{{citation needed|date=September 2019}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{commons category-inline}}
- {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110043538/http://www.psv.nl/Teams/Player.htm?dbid=68208&typeofpage=225187 |date=10 November 2012 |title=PSV's official website profile }}
- {{BDFutbol|26284}}
- [https://www.vi.nl/spelers/jetro-willems/profiel Jetro Willems] at Voetbal International {{in lang|nl}}
- {{FIFA player}}
- {{UEFA player}}
- {{Soccerway}}
{{Netherlands squad UEFA Euro 2012}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Willems, Jetro}}
Category:Footballers from Rotterdam
Category:Dutch men's footballers
Category:Netherlands men's youth international footballers
Category:Netherlands men's under-21 international footballers
Category:Netherlands men's international footballers
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:Sparta Rotterdam players
Category:PSV Eindhoven players
Category:Eintracht Frankfurt players
Category:Newcastle United F.C. players
Category:SpVgg Greuther Fürth players
Category:Heracles Almelo players
Category:CD Castellón footballers
Category:Eerste Divisie players
Category:Premier League players
Category:UEFA Euro 2012 players
Category:Dutch expatriate men's footballers
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Germany
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Spain
Category:Dutch expatriate sportspeople in England
Category:Dutch expatriate sportspeople in Germany
Category:Dutch expatriate sportspeople in Spain