Mats Wieffer
{{Short description|Dutch footballer (born 1999)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Mats Wieffer
| image = FC RB Salzburg gegen Feyenoord Rotterdam (Testspiel 2022-07-09) 39 (cropped).jpg
| caption = Wieffer playing for Feyenoord in 2022
| full_name = Mats Henrik Berne Wieffer{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/4110099 |title=2024/25 Premier League squad lists |publisher=Premier League |date=13 September 2024 |access-date=13 September 2024}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1999|11|16|df=y}}{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/72239/Mats-Wieffer/overview |title=Mats Wieffer: Overview |publisher=Premier League |access-date=13 September 2024}}
| birth_place = Borne, Netherlands
| position = Defensive midfielder
| currentclub = Brighton & Hove Albion
| clubnumber = 27
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = {{ill|RKSV NEO|nl}}
| youthyears2 = 2010–2018
| youthclubs2 = FC Twente
| years1 = 2018
| clubs1 = Jong FC Twente
| caps1 = 1
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2018–2020
| clubs2 = FC Twente
| caps2 = 1
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2020–2022
| clubs3 = Excelsior
| caps3 = 65
| goals3 = 5
| years4 = 2022–2024
| clubs4 = Feyenoord
| caps4 = 54
| goals4 = 6
| years5 = 2024–
| clubs5 = Brighton & Hove Albion
| caps5 = 19
| goals5 = 1
| nationalyears1 = 2023–
| nationalteam1 = Netherlands
| nationalcaps1 = 13
| nationalgoals1 = 1
| club-update = 23:20, 5 April 2025 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update = 20 March 2025
}}
Mats Henrik Berne Wieffer (born 16 November 1999) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion and the Netherlands national team.
Club career
= FC Twente =
Born in Borne,{{Cite web |title=Mats Wieffer |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/mats-wieffer/ |access-date=4 February 2021 |website=worldfootball.net}}{{Cite web |date=6 August 2018 |title=Mats Wieffer tekent bij FC Twente |url=https://www.borneboeit.nl/65095/nieuws/mats-wieffer-tekent-bij-fc-twente |access-date=4 February 2021 |website=Borne Boeit |language=nl}} Wieffer played youth football for RKSV NEO aged 5 before joining FC Twente's academy at the age of 10.{{Cite web |title=Mats Wieffer |url=https://sbvexcelsior.nl/speler/mats-wieffer/ |access-date=4 February 2021 |website=sbvexcelsior.nl |publisher=SBV Excelsior |language=nl}} He made one Derde Divisie appearance for Jong FC Twente in the 2017–18 season, prior to making his professional debut for Twente on 30 October 2018 in a 4–2 KNVB Beker win over VV Noordwijk, coming on a substitute for Aitor Cantalapiedra.{{Cite web |date=31 October 2018 |title=Enthousiaste FC Twente-debutant Wieffer op een roze wolk: "Een fantastische dag" |url=https://www.rtvoost.nl/nieuws/301372/Enthousiaste-FC-Twente-debutant-Wieffer-op-een-roze-wolk-Een-fantastische-dag |access-date=4 February 2021 |website=RTV Oost |language=nl}} He made his league debut in a 2–0 win over TOP Oss in March 2019.{{soccerway|mats-wieffer/576067|accessdate=4 February 2021}} FC Twente were promoted to the Eredivisie as champions of the Eerste Divisie in the same season, but Wieffer did not appear for FC Twente's first team in the 2019–20 season.
= Excelsior =
In June 2020, Wieffer joined Excelsior on a free transfer, signing a three-year contract with the club.{{Cite web |date=30 June 2019 |title=Mats Wieffer na tien jaar van FC Twente naar Excelsior: "Mooie tijd geweest" |url=https://www.rtvoost.nl/nieuws/332631/Mats-Wieffer-na-tien-jaar-van-FC-Twente-naar-Excelsior-Mooie-tijd-geweest |access-date=4 February 2021 |website=RTV Oost |language=nl}} He made his debut for Excelsior on 29 August 2020, replacing Mitchell van Rooijen in a 1–6 win against Jong PSV in the Eerste Divisie. He was sent off with a red card in the league game against FC Eindhoven on 9 October 2020 (1–1). On 5 February 2021, Wieffer scored his first goal in professional football in a 0–2 win against FC Volendam. He was named Excelsior Player of the Year after his first season at the club, winning 26% of the votes.{{Cite web |date=13 May 2021 |title=Mats Wieffer verkozen tot Pro Excelsior speler van het jaar |trans-title=Mats Wieffer chosen Pro Excelsior player of the year |url=https://excelsiorrotterdam.nl/2021/05/mats-wieffer-verkozen-tot-pro-excelsior-speler-van-het-jaar/ |access-date=23 July 2024 |website=Excelsior Rotterdam |language=nl}} On 29 May 2022, he scored in the penalty shoot-out as Excelsior beat ADO Den Haag in the final of the play-offs to promote to the Eredivisie
= Feyenoord =
In June 2022, Wieffer moved to Feyenoord on a four-year contract.{{cite web |url=https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/arnesen-blij-met-komst-wieffer-hij-is-uit-het-juiste-hout-gesneden |title=Arnesen blij met komst Wieffer: 'Hij is uit het juiste hout gesneden |language=Dutch |date=23 June 2022 |access-date=23 June 2022}} After getting injured in a friendly against Red Bull Salzburg in pre-season,{{Cite web |date=9 July 2022 |title=Feyenoord wint van Oostenrijkse kampioen, maar ziet Mats Wieffer op brancard veld verlaten |trans-title=Feyenoord wins against Austrian champion, but sees Mats Wieffer leave the pitch on stretcher |url=https://www.ad.nl/nederlands-voetbal/feyenoord-wint-van-oostenrijkse-kampioen-maar-ziet-mats-wieffer-op-brancard-veld-verlaten~a9476948/ |access-date=23 July 2024 |website=Algemeen Dagblad |language=nl}} he made his debut for Feyenoord and in European football on 8 September 2022, coming on as a substitute for Javairô Dilrosun in a 4–2 defeat against Lazio in the UEFA Europa League. Three days later, he replaced Dilrosun during a 3–0 victory against Sparta Rotterdam to make his Eredivisie debut. On 13 January 2023, Wieffer scored his first goal for the club while also providing an assist in a 3–1 cup win over PEC Zwolle, what was his first start for the club.{{cite web |url=https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/extra-defensieve-zorgen-smetje-op-bekerwinst-van-feyenoord |title=Extra defensieve zorgen smetje op bekerwinst van Feyenoord |trans-title=extra defensive worries blemish Feyenoord's cup win |date=12 January 2023 |access-date=12 January 2023}} He was named Feyenoord Player of the Month for January 2023 and February 2023.{{cite web |url=https://www.feyenoord.nl/nieuws/nieuwsoverzicht/mats-wieffer-speler-van-de-maand-110223 |title=Wieffer verkozen tot eerste Legioen Speler van de Maand in 2023 |trans-title=Wieffer chosen first Legioen Player of the Month in 2023 |publisher=Feyenoord |language=Dutch |date=11 February 2023 |access-date=27 April 2024}}{{cite web |url=https://www.feyenoord.nl/nieuws/nieuwsoverzicht/twee-persoonlijke-prijzen-voor-mats-wieffer-170323 |title=Twee persoonlijke prijzen voor Mats Wieffer |trans-title=Two personal awards for Mats Wieffer |publisher=Feyenoord |language=Dutch |date=17 March 2023 |access-date=27 April 2024}} On 13 April 2023, Wieffer scored his first goal in a European club competition, scoring the only goal in a 1–0 win over AS Roma in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League.{{cite web |url=https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/wieffer-laat-de-kuip-ontploffen-met-europese-primeur |title=Wieffer laat De Kuip ontploffen met Europese primeur |trans-title=Wieffer makes De Kuip explode with his first European goal |date=13 April 2023 |access-date=14 April 2023}} He assisted goals of Oussama Idrissi and Igor Paixão on 14 May 2023 as Feyenoord beat Go Ahead Eagles 3–0 to secure its sixteenth Eredivisie title.{{cite web |url=https://nos.nl/artikel/2475118-feyenoord-verslaat-go-ahead-en-is-na-zes-jaar-weer-kampioen-van-nederland |title=Feyenoord verslaat Go Ahead en is na zes jaar weer kampioen van Nederland |trans-title=Feyenoord beats Go Ahead and is champions of the Netherlands against after six years |date=14 May 2023 |access-date=23 July 2024 |language=nl}}
On 4 August 2023, Wieffer played the full game as Feyenoord lost the Johan Cruyff Shield 0–1 to PSV Eindhoven. Wieffer made his UEFA Champions League debut on 19 September 2023, in a 2–0 win against Celtic. He scored his first goal in the competition on 28 November 2023, during a 1–3 defeat against Atlético Madrid. Ahead of the KNVB Cup final on 21 April 2024, Wieffer suffered a thigh injury, ruling him out for the remainder of the season.{{cite web |url=https://www.feyenoord.com/nl/news/medische-update-mats-wieffer-030524 |title=Medische update Mats Wieffer |trans-title=Medical update Mats Wieffer |date=3 May 2024 |access-date=23 July 2024 |language=nl}} Feyenoord went on beat NEC 1–0 in the cup final and finish in second place in the Eredivisie. During his time at Feyenoord, Wieffer played 54 league games, in which Feyenoord averaged 2.52 points, recording a joint-record for players in the Eredivisie with over 50 games played.{{cite web |url=https://x.com/OptaJohan/status/1808818422123278727 |title=2.52 - Mats Wieffer averaged 2.52 points per Eredivisie game, no Dutch player (min. 50 games) recorded a better average in the league's history. Talisman. |date=4 July 2024 |access-date=23 July 2024}}
= Brighton & Hove Albion =
On 5 July 2024, Wieffer joined Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion, signing a contract until June 2029.{{Cite web |title=Wieffer joins Albion from Feyenoord |url=https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com/news/4052325/wieffer-joins-albion-from-feyenoord |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=www.brightonandhovealbion.com}} With a reported fee of €30 million, it became Feyenoord's most expensive outgoing transfer of all-time.{{cite web |url=https://www.nu.nl/voetbal/6319593/wieffer-lost-kokcu-af-als-duurste-uitgaande-feyenoord-transfer-ooit.html |title=Wieffer lost Kökçü af als duurste uitgaande Feyenoord-transfer ooit |trans-title=Wieffer replace Kökçü as the most expensive outgoing Feyenoord transfer ever |date=6 July 2024 |access-date=23 July 2024 |language=nl}} He made his Premier League debut in Brighton's opening match against Everton on 17 August 2024, where he'd register an assist as the Seagulls would go on to win 3-0.{{cite web | url=https://www.sofascore.com/football/match/everton-brighton-and-hove-albion/FsY | title=Everton vs Brighton & Hove Albion live score, H2H and lineups | Sofascore }}
International career
On 17 March 2023, Wieffer received his first call-up to the Netherlands senior national team for the Euro 2024 qualifying matches against France and Gibraltar.{{cite web |url=https://www.onsoranje.nl/nieuws/nederlands-elftal/80692/koeman-roept-drie-debutanten-op |title=Koeman roept drie debutanten op |trans-title=Koemans includes three debutants |language=Dutch |date=17 March 2023 |access-date=17 March 2023}} He made his debut on 27 March as a starter in a 3–0 win over Gibraltar.{{cite web |url=https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/oranje-neemt-twijfels-niet-weg-met-pover-optreden-tegen-gibraltar |title=Oranje neemt twijfels niet weg met pover optreden tegen Gibraltar |trans-title=Netherlands doesn't take away doubts after poor showing against Gibraltar |language=Dutch |date=27 March 2023 |access-date=27 March 2023}} On 21 November 2023, Wieffer scored his first senior international goal in the Netherlands' 6–0 win against Gibraltar.{{cite news |last1=Hincks |first1=Michael |title=Gibraltar 0–6 Netherlands: Calvin Stengs Scores Hat-Trick as Dutch Sign Off Qualifying in Style with Thumping Win |url=https://www.eurosport.com/football/euro-qualifying/2024/gibraltar-v-netherlands-euro-2024-qualifying-live_sto9890396/story.shtml |access-date=22 November 2023 |work=Eurosport |date=21 November 2023}} A thigh injury ruled him out from participating in UEFA Euro 2024.{{cite web |url=https://nos.nl/artikel/2520743-koeman-maakt-voorselectie-ek-bekend-geen-zirkzee-geen-wieffer |title=Koeman maakt voorselectie EK bekend: geen Zirkzee, geen Wieffer |trans-title=Koeman announces preliminary squad Euros: no Zirkzee, no Wieffer |date=16 May 2024 |access-date=23 July 2024 |language=nl}}
Style of play
Wieffer said that he prefers to play as a number six, but is also able to play box-to-box. He has been praised for his mentality, interceptions, passing and energy and called "the missing link between Feyenoord's offence and defence."{{cite web |url=https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com/modals/en/media-article-popup/mft-news-interviews-mats-wieffer-lowdown |title=The Lowdown On Mats Wieffer |website=Brighton & Hove Albion |language= |date=18 July 2024 |access-date=24 July 2024}} In the 2023–24 Eredivisie, Wieffer ranked highly for blocks, interceptions, ball recoveries and tackles. He was compared to Moisés Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister after his transfer to Brighton & Hove Albion.{{cite web |first1=Duncan |last1=Alexander |first2=Andy |last2=Naylor |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5616704/2024/07/09/mats-wieffer-brighton-transfer/ |title=What Mats Wieffer will bring to Brighton: An all-rounder to boost a post-Caicedo and Mac Allister midfield |website=The Athletic |language= |date=9 July 2024 |access-date=24 July 2024}}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|match played 5 April 2025}}{{Soccerway|mats-wieffer/576067}}
| 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{{efn|Includes KNVB Cup, FA Cup}} !colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes EFL Cup}} !colspan="2"|Europe !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||||
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Twente
|1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | ||||
| rowspan="3"|Excelsior
|rowspan="2"|Eerste Divisie |31 | 1 | 4 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 35 | 1 | ||||
| 2021–22
|34 | 4 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 6{{efn|Appearances in Eerste Divisie promotion/relegation play-offs}} | 1 | 42 | 5 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!65 | 5 | 6 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 77 | 6 | ||
| rowspan="3"|Feyenoord
|rowspan="2"|Eredivisie |25 | 1 | 4 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 8{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Europa League}} | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 37 | 3 | |||
| 2023–24
|29 | 5 | 4 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 8{{efn|Six appearances in UEFA Champions League, two appearances in UEFA Europa League}} | 1 | 1{{efn|Appearance in Johan Cruyff Shield}} | 0 | 42 | 6 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!54 | 6 | 8 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 16 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 79 | 9 | ||
| Brighton & Hove Albion
|19 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 22 | 1 | |||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!139 | 12 | 16 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 16 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 180 | 16 |
{{notelist}}
=International=
{{updated|match played 20 March 2025}}{{cite web |title=Mats Wieffer- Nederlands Elftal |url=https://www.onsoranje.nl/teams/185184/speler/27163 |language=Dutch |publisher=KNVB.nl |access-date=11 September 2023}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year !National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals | ||
| rowspan="3"|Netherlands
|2023 | 7 | 1 |
| 2024 | 5 | 0 |
| 2025 | 1 | 0 |
| colspan="2"|Total | 13 | 1 |
|---|
:Netherlands score listed first, score column indicates score after each Wieffer goal
| class="wikitable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Mats Wieffer | ||||||
| scope=col|No.
!scope=col|Date !scope=col|Venue !scope=col|Opponent !scope=col|Score !scope=col|Result !scope=col|Competition | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| align=center | 1 | 21 November 2023 | Estádio Algarve, Faro/Loulé, Portugal | {{fb|GIB}} | align=center | 2–0 | align=center | 6–0 | UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying |
Honours
Feyenoord
- Eredivisie: 2022–23{{cite web |url=https://nos.nl/artikel/2475118-feyenoord-verslaat-go-ahead-en-is-na-zes-jaar-weer-kampioen-van-nederland |title=Feyenoord verslaat Go Ahead en is na zes jaar weer kampioen van Nederland |trans-title=Feyenoord beats Go Ahead and is champions of the Netherlands after six years |language=Dutch |date=14 May 2023 |access-date=14 May 2023}}
- KNVB Cup: 2023–24{{cite web |url=https://nos.nl/artikel/2517666-als-rook-is-opgetrokken-wint-feyenoord-bekerfinale-van-nec |title=Als rook is opgetrokken, wint Feyenoord bekerfinale van NEC |trans-title=As smoke clears, Feyenoord wins cup final against NEC |website=NOS |language=Dutch |date=21 April 2024 |access-date=21 April 2024}}
Individual
- Feyenoord Player of the Month: January 2023, February 2023
- Eredivisie Team of the Month: August 2023,{{Cite web |date=3 September 2023 |title=Nine clubs provide players for Eredivisie Team of the Month |url=https://eredivisie.eu/news/nine-clubs-provide-players-for-eredivisie-team-of-the-month/ |access-date=6 September 2023 |website=Eredivisie |language=}} February 2024{{Cite web |date=1 March 2024 |title=PSV en Feyenoord hofleverancier in het Eredivisie Elftal van de Maand februari |trans-title=PSV and Feyenoord main supplier in the Eredivisie Team of the Month February |url=https://eredivisie.nl/nieuws/psv-en-feyenoord-hofleverancier-in-het-eredivisie-elftal-van-de-maand-februari/ |access-date=24 July 2024 |website=Eredivisie |language=nl}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- [https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com/pages/en/player-detail-statistics-midfielder/467779 Profile] at the Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. website
- [https://www.onsoranje.nl/teams/185184/speler/27163 Prfile] at the Royal Dutch Football Association website {{in lang|nl}}
- {{UEFA player}}
{{Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wieffer, Mats}}
Category:People from Borne, Overijssel
Category:Footballers from Overijssel
Category:Dutch men's footballers
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Jong FC Twente players
Category:Excelsior Rotterdam players
Category:Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. players
Category:Eerste Divisie players
Category:Derde Divisie players
Category:Premier League players
Category:Netherlands men's international footballers
Category:Dutch expatriate men's footballers
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England