Kaj Sierhuis
{{short description|Dutch footballer (born 1998)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Kaj Sierhuis
| image = Lens - Reims (12-05-2023) 11.jpg
| caption = Sierhuis in 2023
| fullname =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1998|4|27|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Athens, Greece
| position = Forward
| currentclub = Fortuna Sittard
| clubnumber = 9
| youthyears1 = 2003–2009
| youthclubs1 = WSV '30
| youthyears2 = 2009–2018
| youthclubs2 = Ajax
| years1 = 2016–2020
| clubs1 = Jong Ajax
| caps1 = 41
| goals1 = 22
| years2 = 2018–2019
| clubs2 = Ajax
| caps2 = 2
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2018–2019
| clubs3 = → Groningen (loan)
| caps3 = 33
| goals3 = 9
| years4 = 2020–2023
| clubs4 = Reims
| caps4 = 41
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2021–2022
| clubs5 = → Heracles Almelo (loan)
| caps5 = 18
| goals5 = 4
| years6 = 2023
| clubs6 = Reims II
| caps6 = 1
| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2023–
| clubs7 = Fortuna Sittard
| caps7 = 31
| goals7 = 12
| nationalyears1 = 2013–2014
| nationalteam1 = Netherlands U16
| nationalcaps1 = 3
| nationalgoals1 = 2
| nationalyears2 = 2015–2016
| nationalteam2 = Netherlands U18
| nationalcaps2 = 1
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalyears3 = 2016–2017
| nationalteam3 = Netherlands U19
| nationalcaps3 = 10
| nationalgoals3 = 4
| nationalyears4 = 2017–2018
| nationalteam4 = Netherlands U20
| nationalcaps4 = 8
| nationalgoals4 = 2
| nationalyears5 = 2018–2021
| nationalteam5 = Netherlands U21
| nationalcaps5 = 13
| nationalgoals5 = 9
| club-update = 13:02, 5 May 2024 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update =
}}
Kaj Sierhuis (born 27 April 1998) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a forward for {{Dutch football updater|FortunaSi}} club Fortuna Sittard. Born in Greece, he is a former youth international for the Netherlands.
Club career
=Ajax=
Sierhuis was born in Athens, Greece, on 27 April 1998, when his father, Cock Sierhuis, was president of AEK Athens.{{cite news |last1=Sintenie |first1=Dick |title=Cock Sierhuis: 'Ik denk niet dat ze weten dat Kaj bij Ajax speelt' |url=https://www.parool.nl/nieuws/cock-sierhuis-ik-denk-niet-dat-ze-weten-dat-kaj-bij-ajax-speelt~b3789792/ |access-date=12 February 2023 |work=Het Parool |date=16 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918181426/https://www.parool.nl/nieuws/cock-sierhuis-ik-denk-niet-dat-ze-weten-dat-kaj-bij-ajax-speelt~b3789792/ |archive-date=18 September 2021 |language=nl-NL}} The family returned to the Netherlands when Kaj was four years old, and he grew up in Jisp, North Holland.{{cite news |last1=Meijden |first1=Frank van der |title=Jispenaar Kaj Sierhuis voor even terug bij Ajax: "Weinig te verliezen" |url=https://www.nhnieuws.nl/nieuws/299149/jispenaar-kaj-sierhuis-voor-even-terug-bij-ajax-weinig-te-verliezen |access-date=12 February 2023 |work=NH Nieuws |date=7 February 2022 |language=nl}}{{cite web |title=Het Verhaal Achter: Kaj Sierhuis |url=https://www.ajaxshowtime.com/hoofdnieuws/het-verhaal-achter-kaj-sierhuis |website=Ajax Showtime |access-date=12 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119222226/https://www.ajaxshowtime.com/hoofdnieuws/het-verhaal-achter-kaj-sierhuis |archive-date=19 January 2022 |language=nl |date=21 September 2016}}
He had started playing football with WSV '30 in Wormer in the province of North Holland as a five-year-old before moving the to Ajax Youth Academy at age 11. In August 2016, he signed his first professional contract and made his first appearances for Jong Ajax on 25 November 2016 in an Eerste Divisie match against Telstar.{{cite web |title=Jong Ajax – SC Telstar 2:1 (Eerste Divisie 2016/2017, 15. Spieltag) |url=http://www.weltfussball.de/spielbericht/eerste-divisie-2016-2017-jong-ajax-sc-telstar/ |website=WorldFootball.net |publisher=HEIM:SPIEL |access-date=12 February 2023}} That season he also continued to play for the under-19 team in the league and in the UEFA Youth League. In the 2016–17 season, he was top goalscorer in the UEFA Youth League alongside Jordi Mboula of Barcelona.{{cite news |last1=Bruijn |first1=Thijs de |title=Hoe is het nu met de topscorers van de UEFA Youth League? |url=https://www.elfvoetbal.nl/article/275893/Hoe-is-het-nu-met-de-topscorers-van-de-UEFA-Youth-League |access-date=12 February 2023 |work=Elfvoetbal |date=30 April 2019 |language=nl}} In the 2017–18 season, Sierhuis, who had outgrown the youth teams, was not always part of the regular lineup, but scored 14 goals in 20 appearances and became second-tier Eerste Divisie champion with Ajax's second team, which could however not win promotion due to Dutch league rules.{{cite web |title=Jong Ajax kampioen, Fortuna Sittard promoveert! |url=https://keukenkampioendivisie.nl/jong-ajax-kampioen-fortuna-sittard-promoveert/ |website=Keuken Kampioen Divisie |access-date=12 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212142139/https://keukenkampioendivisie.nl/jong-ajax-kampioen-fortuna-sittard-promoveert/ |archive-date=12 February 2023 |language=nl |date=28 April 2018}} Sierhuis made his first competitive appearance for the Ajax first team on 25 July 2018 in a 2–0 win in the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round against Sturm Graz.{{cite news |title=Magistrale Ziyech neemt Ajax bij de hand tegen pover Sturm |url=https://www.ad.nl/buitenlands-voetbal/magistrale-ziyech-neemt-ajax-bij-de-hand-tegen-pover-sturm~ab63c7ba/ |access-date=12 February 2023 |work=Algemeen Dagblad |date=25 July 2018 |language=nl}}
After making just two appearances in the Eredivisie, Sierhuis agreed to a loan move to Groningen until the end of the season with an option to buy.{{cite press release |title=Ajax verhuurt Sierhuis aan FC Groningen |url=https://www.ajax.nl/streams/actueel/ajax-verhuurt-sierhuis-aan-fc-groningen.htm |website=Ajax |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190101051324/https://www.ajax.nl/streams/actueel/ajax-verhuurt-sierhuis-aan-fc-groningen.htm |archive-date=1 January 2019 |language=nl |date=31 December 2018 |url-status=dead}}{{cite press release |title=Sierhuis komt en Cassierra gaat bij FC Groningen |url=https://www.fcgroningen.nl/nieuws/sierhuis-komt-en-cassierra-gaat-bij-fc-groningen/ |website=FC Groningen |access-date=12 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212142849/https://www.fcgroningen.nl/nieuws/sierhuis-komt-en-cassierra-gaat-bij-fc-groningen/ |archive-date=12 February 2023 |language=nl |date=31 December 2018}}{{cite web |title=Ajax laat Sierhuis en Matusiwa in kelder Eredivisie minuten maken |url=https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/ajax-laat-sierhuis-en-matusiwa-in-kelder-eredivisie-minuten-maken |website=Voetbal International |accessdate=29 July 2020 |language=nl|date=27 December 2018}} He quickly earned a starting place as Groningen qualified for play-offs for a place in the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round. There, the Groningen side was eliminated in the first round by Vitesse.{{cite news |title=FC Groningen op pijnlijke wijze uitgeschakeld in play-offs door Vitesse |url=https://www.rtvnoord.nl/nieuws/208742/fc-groningen-op-pijnlijke-wijze-uitgeschakeld-in-play-offs-door-vitesse |access-date=12 February 2023 |work=RTV Noord |date=21 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212143245/https://www.rtvnoord.nl/nieuws/208742/fc-groningen-op-pijnlijke-wijze-uitgeschakeld-in-play-offs-door-vitesse |archive-date=12 February 2023 |language=nl}}
=Reims=
On 1 February 2020, Sierhuis signed with Ligue 1 club Reims on a long-term contract.{{cite press release |title=Ajax and Stade de Reims reach agreement for Kaj Sierhuis |url=https://english.ajax.nl/archive/ajax-and-stade-de-reims-reach-agreement-for-kaj-sierhuis/ |website=Ajax |access-date=12 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201210050/https://english.ajax.nl/archive/ajax-and-stade-de-reims-reach-agreement-for-kaj-sierhuis/ |archive-date=1 December 2022 |date=1 February 2020}}{{cite news |title=Kaj Sierhuis rondt transfer af en verkast per direct naar Ligue 1 |url=https://www.goal.com/nl/nieuws/kaj-sierhuis-rondt-transfer-af-en-verkast-per-direct-naar/1eansp4yv2qwy17rp6sj7i5fv5 |access-date=12 February 2023 |work=GOAL |date=31 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212144056/https://www.goal.com/nl/nieuws/kaj-sierhuis-rondt-transfer-af-en-verkast-per-direct-naar/1eansp4yv2qwy17rp6sj7i5fv5 |archive-date=12 February 2023 |language=nl}} He made his debut for the club on 5 February 2020, starting in a league game against Nice, but had to be replaced by Nathanaël Mbuku in the 13th minute after falling out with a hamstring injury.{{cite news |title=Reims : Kaj Sierhuis et Mathieu Cafaro sortent sur blessure |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Reims-kaj-sierhuis-et-mathieu-cafaro-sortent-sur-blessure/1106703 |access-date=12 February 2023 |work=L'Équipe |date=5 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205193400/https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Reims-kaj-sierhuis-et-mathieu-cafaro-sortent-sur-blessure/1106703 |archive-date=5 February 2020 |language=fr}}{{cite news |last1=Mostert |first1=Dominic |title=Drama voor Kaj Sierhuis bij competitiedebuut voor Stade Reims |url=https://www.voetbalzone.nl/doc.asp?uid=367372 |access-date=12 February 2023 |work=Voetbalzone |date=5 February 2020 |language=nl}} Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this remained Sierhuis' only appearance for Reims in the 2019–20 season.{{cite news |last1=Jansen |first1=Freek |title=Kaj Sierhuis is terug op vertrouwde bodem: 'In Nederland kan je tenminste nog naar buiten om te rennen' |url=https://dvhn.nl/sport/Kaj-Sierhuis-is-terug-op-vertrouwde-bodem-In-Nederland-kan-je-tenminste-nog-naar-buiten-om-te-rennen-25475516.html |access-date=12 February 2023 |work=Dagblad van het Noorden |date=18 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319155321/https://www.dvhn.nl/sport/Kaj-Sierhuis-is-terug-op-vertrouwde-bodem-In-Nederland-kan-je-tenminste-nog-naar-buiten-om-te-rennen-25475516.html |archive-date=19 March 2020 |language=nl-NL}}
In the 2020–21 season, he made regular appearances for Reims, but his playing time decreased from the beginning of 2021 and he was sent on a one-season loan to Eredivisie club Heracles Almelo in August 2021.{{cite web |title=Heracles Almelo huurt Kaj Sierhuis |url=https://www.heracles.nl/2021/08/31/heracles-almelo-huurt-kaj-sierhuis/ |website=Heracles |access-date=12 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023185110/https://www.heracles.nl/2021/08/31/heracles-almelo-huurt-kaj-sierhuis/ |archive-date=23 October 2021 |language=nl |date=31 August 2021}} After 19 total appearances in which he scored one goal, he tore his anterior cruciate ligament on 11 February 2022 against Utrecht and was sidelined for the rest of the season.{{cite news |last1=Wagenaar |first1=Fardau |title=Spits Kaj Sierhuis scheurt kruisband en keert niet meer terug bij Heracles |url=https://www.ad.nl/nederlands-voetbal/spits-kaj-sierhuis-scheurt-kruisband-en-keert-niet-meer-terug-bij-heracles~af859dcf/ |access-date=12 February 2023 |work=Algemeen Dagblad |date=15 February 2022 |language=nl}}
He rejoined the Reims squad for the 2022–23 season.{{cite news |last1=Schoenher |first1=Emilien |title=Stade de Reims : Sierhuis, quel bilan de son prêt ? |url=https://www.score.fr/football/articles/stade-de-reims-sierhuis-quel-bilan-de-son-pret/ |access-date=12 February 2023 |work=Score.fr |date=13 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220912155434/https://www.score.fr/football/articles/stade-de-reims-sierhuis-quel-bilan-de-son-pret/ |archive-date=12 September 2022 |language=fr}}
=Fortuna Sittard=
On 2 August 2023, Sierhuis returned to the Netherlands and signed a three-year contract with Eredivisie club Fortuna Sittard.{{cite web|publisher=Fortuna Sittard|url=https://fortunasittard.nl/nieuws/fortuna-haalt-kaj-sierhuis-terug-naar-nederland|title=FORTUNA HAALT KAJ SIERHUIS TERUG NAAR NEDERLAND|trans-title=FORTUNA BRINGS KAJ SIERHUIS BACK TO THE NETHERLANDS|date=2 August 2023|access-date=2 August 2023|language=nl}} He made his debut for the club on 19 August, replacing Paul Gladon in the 83rd minute of a 2–1 victory against Almere City.{{cite news |title=Fortuna wint nipt van Almere City en geeft punt in De Kuip goed vervolg |url=https://nos.nl/artikel/2487228-fortuna-wint-nipt-van-almere-city-en-geeft-punt-in-de-kuip-goed-vervolg |access-date=15 January 2024 |work=NOS |date=19 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230819212528/https://nos.nl/artikel/2487228-fortuna-wint-nipt-van-almere-city-en-geeft-punt-in-de-kuip-goed-vervolg |archive-date=19 August 2023 |language=nl}}{{cite web |title=Fortuna Sittard vs. Almere City 2–1: Summary |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/08/19/netherlands/eredivisie/fortuna-sittard/fc-omniworld/4096670/ |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=15 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203184428/https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/08/19/netherlands/eredivisie/fortuna-sittard/fc-omniworld/4096670/ |archive-date=3 December 2023}} On 21 October, he scored his first goal for Fortuna, converting a penalty in injury time during a 3–1 defeat against PSV.{{cite news |title=Koploper PSV fluitend langs Fortuna en blijft foutloos in eredivisie |url=https://nos.nl/artikel/2494873-koploper-psv-fluitend-langs-fortuna-en-blijft-foutloos-in-eredivisie |access-date=15 January 2024 |work=NOS |date=21 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231112190754/https://nos.nl/artikel/2494873-koploper-psv-fluitend-langs-fortuna-en-blijft-foutloos-in-eredivisie |archive-date=12 November 2023 |language=nl}} He secured his first brace for the club on 2 December, contributing to Fortuna's 3–1 triumph over Vitesse, as both assists were provided by Ivo Pinto.{{cite news |title=Fortuna Sittard bezorgt tiental Vitesse nieuwe dramatische avond |url=https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/fortuna-sittard-bezorgt-tiental-vitesse-nieuwe-dramatische-avond |access-date=15 January 2024 |work=Voetbal International |date=2 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114091003/https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/fortuna-sittard-bezorgt-tiental-vitesse-nieuwe-dramatische-avond |archive-date=14 January 2024 |language=nl}} Sierhuis scored 15 goals in 35 appearances during his debut season with the club. However, on 3 May 2024, during a match against Go Ahead Eagles, he sustained a serious knee injury that sidelined him for an extended period.{{cite news |title=Sierhuis bevestigt zware blessure: spits binnenkort onder het mes |url=https://www.espn.nl/voetbal/artikel/_/id/13633115/sierhuis-bevestigt-zware-blessure-spits-binnenkort-onder-het-mes |access-date=18 December 2024 |work=ESPN.nl |date=9 May 2024 |language=nl}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 3 May 2024}}
| 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"|Cup !colspan="2"|Europe !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="4"|Jong Ajax
|8 | 4 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 8 | 4 | ||||
| 2017–18
|Eerste Divisie |20 | 14 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 20 | 14 | ||||
| 2018–19
|Eerste Divisie |13 | 4 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 13 | 4 | ||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!41 | 22 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 41 | 22 | ||||
| rowspan="3"|Ajax
|2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1{{efn|name=UCL|Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 0 | ||
| 2019–20
|Eredivisie |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 0 | ||
| rowspan="3"|Groningen (loan)
|Eredivisie |17 | 3 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 2{{efn|name=EP|Appearances in Eredivisie play-offs}} | 1 | 19 | 4 | ||
| 2019–20
|Eredivisie |16 | 6 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 18 | 6 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!33 | 9 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 1 | 37 | 10 | ||
| rowspan="5"|Reims
|1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | |||
| 2020–21
|Ligue 1 |24 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2{{efn|name=UEL|Appearances in UEFA Europa League}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 27 | 1 | ||
| 2021–22
|Ligue 1 |2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | ||||
| 2022–23
|Ligue 1 |14 | 0 | 3 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 17 | 2 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!41 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 47 | 3 | ||
| Heracles Almelo (loan)
|Eredivisie |18 | 4 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 19 | 4 | |||
| Reims II
|1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | ||||
| rowspan="1"|Fortuna Sittard
|Eredivisie |31 | 12 | 4 | 3 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 35 | 15 | |||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!167 | 47 | 11 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 183 | 54 |
{{notelist}}
Honours
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{WorldFootball.net|kaj-sierhuis}}
{{Fortuna Sittard squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sierhuis, Kaj}}
Category:Footballers from Athens
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Dutch men's footballers
Category:Netherlands men's under-21 international footballers
Category:Netherlands men's youth international footballers
Category:Dutch expatriate men's footballers
Category:Stade de Reims players
Category:Heracles Almelo players
Category:Fortuna Sittard players
Category:Eerste Divisie players
Category:Championnat National 2 players
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in France