Niels Fleuren
{{short description|Dutch footballer (born 1986)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{Infobox football biography
|name = Niels Fleuren
|image = NielsFleuren.JPG
|image_size = 200
|caption =
|fullname =
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1986|11|1|df=y}}
|birth_place = Boxmeer, Netherlands
|position = Left-back
|currentclub = Vitesse '08
|clubnumber =
|youthyears1 = 1991–1997
|youthclubs1 = Vitesse '08
|youthyears2 = 1997–2003
|youthclubs2 = VVV-Venlo
|years1 = 2003–2016
|clubs1 = VVV-Venlo
|caps1 = 354
|goals1 = 1
|years2 = 2016–2017
|clubs2 = Emmen
|caps2 = 18
|goals2 = 0
|years3 = 2017–2022
|clubs3 = TOP Oss
|caps3 = 118
|goals3 = 1
|years4 = 2022
|clubs4 = De Treffers
|caps4 = 6
|goals4 = 0
|years5 = 2023
|clubs5 = Gemert
|caps5 = 14
|goals5 = 0
|years6 = 2023–
|clubs6 = Vitesse '08
|caps6 =
|goals6 =
|club-update = 10:21, 27 December 2023 (UTC)
}}
Niels Fleuren (born 1 November 1986) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Vierde Klasse club Vitesse '08.
Career
=VVV-Venlo=
Born in Boxmeer, Fleuren played in the youth departments of Vitesse '08 and VVV-Venlo.{{Soccerway|niels-fleuren/17377|accessdate=28 May 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.vi.nl/spelers/carriere/niels-fleuren.htm|title=Profile|accessdate=28 May 2016|language=Dutch|publisher=Voetbal International}}{{cite web|url=http://www.vi.nl/premium-kennismaking/niels-fleuren-de-maldini-van-de-koel-1.htm|title=Niels Fleuren, de Maldini van De Koel|date=21 April 2016|accessdate=28 May 2016|language=Dutch|author=Geert-Jan Jakobs|publisher=Voetbal International}} Fleuren made his professional debut at the age of 16 for VVV-Venlo, as a substitute in a 4–0 win at home against Cambuur on 3 October 2003.{{cite news |title=Vroeg of laat is Fleuren de back |url=https://www.gelderlander.nl/sport-maasland/vroeg-of-laat-is-fleuren-de-back~adf457d3/ |work=De Gelderlander |date=29 November 2011 |language=nl}} He scored his only league goal for the club on 21 October 2005, at home against HFC Haarlem. In 2008, he received the Jan Klaassens Award, the annual VVV award for the best talent from their own youth academy.{{cite web |title=Jan Klaassens Award |url=https://historie.vvv-venlo.nl/nl/Jan%20Klaassens%20Award |website=VVV-Venlo |access-date=15 February 2021 |language=nl}} Over the years, the club attracted various players for the left-back position, including Youssef El Akchaoui, Jeffrey Leiwakabessy, Joeri Schroyen and Jason Bourdouxhe, but each time Fleuren emerged as the starter.{{cite news |title=Clubicoon Fleuren verlaat VVV-Venlo na 13 jaar |url=https://www.gelderlander.nl/sport/clubicoon-fleuren-verlaat-vvv-venlo-na-13-jaar~a3106e04/ |work=De Gelderlander |date=27 May 2016 |language=nl}} In a home game against De Graafschap on 13 September 2013, Fleuren was honoured in connection with his 300th official match for VVV.{{cite news |title=Nederlaag verziekt feest Fleuren |url=https://l1.nl/nederlaag-verziekt-feest-fleuren-35175 |work=L1 |date=13 September 2013 |language=nl}} He played his 300th league game against Sparta Rotterdam on 19 October 2014.{{cite news |title=Interview met Niels Fleuren over zijn 300ste competitiewedstrijd! |url=https://www.venlonaren.net/interview-met-niels-fleuren-zijn-300ste-competitiewedstrijd/ |work=Venlonaren |date=16 October 2014 |language=nl}} He played his 400th official game against regional rivals MVV on 8 April 2016.{{cite news |title=400ste wedstrijd voor VVV'er Niels Fleuren |url=https://l1.nl/400ste-wedstrijd-voor-vvver-niels-fleuren-5203 |work=L1 |date=8 April 2016 |language=nl}} VVV announced on 27 May 2016 that Fleuren's contract would not be extended.{{cite news |last1=Pennings |first1=Thijs |title=Omroep Venlo - VVV neemt afscheid van Niels Fleuren |url=https://omroepvenlo.nl/nieuws/artikel/49814751/vvv-neemt-afscheid-van-niels-fleuren |work=omroepvenlo.nl |language=nl}}
Fleuren left VVV-Venlo in May 2016, after 13 seasons with the senior team. With 354 league appearances he was fifth in the club's appearance list.{{cite web|url=http://www.gelderlander.nl/algemeen/sport/voetbal/clubicoon-fleuren-verlaat-vvv-venlo-na-13-jaar-1.6050931|title=Clubicoon Fleuren verlaat VVV-Venlo na 13 jaar|date=27 May 2016|accessdate=28 May 2016|language=Dutch|publisher=De Gelderlander}}{{cite web|url=http://www.vi.nl/nieuws/fleuren-neemt-na-dertien-seizoenen-afscheid-van-vvvvenlo.htm|title=Fleuren neemt na dertien seizoenen afscheid van VVV-Venlo|date=27 May 2016|accessdate=28 May 2016|language=Dutch|publisher=Voetbal International}} During his time at the club, he grew into a fan favourite and gained the nickname "The Maldini of De Koel".{{cite news |last1=Jakobs |first1=Geert-Jan |title=De Maldini van De Koel is nu medewerker op een kantoor in Oss |url=https://www.vi.nl/pro/de-maldini-van-de-koel-is-nu-medewerker-op-een-kantoor-in-oss |access-date=15 February 2021 |work=www.vi.nl |date=9 August 2020 |language=nl}}
=Emmen and TOP Oss=
On 15 July 2016, it was announced that Fleuren had signed a one-year contract with Emmen.[http://www.vi.nl/nieuws/fleuren-trekt-na-dertien-jaar-vvvvenlo-naar-fc-emmen.htm Fleuren trekt na dertien jaar VVV-Venlo naar FC Emmen] (Dutch). Voetbal International. 15 July 2016.
Ahead of the 2017–18 season, Fleuren joined TOP Oss on an amateur contract, where he soon developed into a regular starter and was rewarded with a one-year professional contract at the end of the season.{{cite news |last1=Pichel |first1=Dominique |title=FC Oss beloont Niels Fleuren met profcontract |url=https://www.gelderlander.nl/nederlands-voetbal/fc-oss-beloont-niels-fleuren-met-profcontract~ac15b2d2/ |work=De Gelderlander |date=24 May 2018 |language=nl}} In January 2019, he extended his contract with Oss by another year.{{cite news |last1=Nolles |first1=Jurriaan |title=Niels Fleuren verlengt contract bij TOP Oss |url=https://www.bd.nl/top-oss/niels-fleuren-verlengt-contract-bij-top-oss~a18d025c/ |work=Brabants Dagblad |date=17 January 2019 |language=nl}}
In the 2020–21 season, Fleuren would again play for TOP Oss in an amateur deal.{{cite news |last1=Pichel |first1=Dominique |title=Niels Fleuren toch door bij TOP: op amateurbasis |url=https://www.gelderlander.nl/voetbal-maasland/niels-fleuren-toch-door-bij-top-op-amateurbasis~a541feed/ |work=De Gelderlander |date=18 July 2020 |language=nl}} In October 2020, Fleuren tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 during the COVID-19 pandemic. While in quarantine at home, he continued working as the TOP Oss contact person for social projects, where he organised activities such as a footgolf event for a clothing sponsor. He had been a part of the office staff of the club since signing an amateur playing contract.{{cite news |last1=Pichel |first1=Dominique |title=Ook in quarantaine was voetballer Niels Fleuren van waarde voor TOP Oss: 'Kon alleen geen shirtjes drukken' |url=https://www.gelderlander.nl/voetbal-maasland/ook-in-quarantaine-was-voetballer-niels-fleuren-van-waarde-voor-top-oss-kon-alleen-geen-shirtjes-drukken~abc695e3c/ |work=De Gelderlander |date=18 November 2020 |language=nl}}
=Later career=
On 22 June 2022, Fleuren joined Tweede Divisie club De Treffers on an amateur contract, after having decided to retire from professional football.{{cite news |last1=Pichel |first1=Dominique |title=Niels Fleuren gaat bij De Treffers het avontuur in het amateurvoetbal aan |url=https://www.gelderlander.nl/sport-nijmegen-e-o/niels-fleuren-gaat-bij-de-treffers-het-avontuur-in-het-amateurvoetbal-aan~a26735fb/ |access-date=22 June 2022 |work=De Gelderlander |date=22 June 2022 |language=nl}} After six months, he moved to Derde Divisie club Gemert on 1 January 2023.{{cite news |last1=Pichel |first1=Dominik |title=Opmerkelijke overstap Niels Fleuren: Gennepse ex-prof per direct van De Treffers naar Gemert |url=https://www.gelderlander.nl/sport-nijmegen-e-o/opmerkelijke-overstap-niels-fleuren-gennepse-ex-prof-per-direct-van-de-treffers-naar-gemert~a72706c3/ |access-date=27 December 2023 |work=De Gelderlander |date=1 January 2023 |language=nl}}
In May 2023, he returned to his first club Vitesse '08 in the ninth-tier Vierde Klasse after 26 years.{{cite news |last1=Pichel |first1=Dominique |title=Op 36-jarige leeftijd en met 550 profduels in de benen keert Niels Fleuren terug naar Vitesse'08 |url=https://www.gelderlander.nl/amateurvoetbal/op-36-jarige-leeftijd-en-met-550-profduels-in-de-benen-keert-niels-fleuren-terug-naar-vitesse08~a0264bd5/ |access-date=27 December 2023 |work=De Gelderlander |date=16 May 2023 |language=nl}}
Honours
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{WorldFootball.net|niels-fleuren}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fleuren, Niels}}
Category:Sportspeople from Boxmeer
Category:Dutch men's footballers
Category:Eerste Divisie players
Category:Tweede Divisie players
Category:Derde Divisie players
Category:Men's association football fullbacks
Category:TOP Oss non-playing staff