Pascal Struijk

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Pascal Struijk

| image = Pascal Struijk 15032025 (1) (cropped).jpg

| caption = Struijk in 2025

| full_name = Pascal Augustus Struijk{{cite web|url=https://www.efl.com/siteassets/image/201920/efl-professional-retain-list--free-transfers---2018-19.pdf|title=Club list of registered players: As at 18th May 2019: Leeds United|publisher=English Football League|page=17|access-date=5 September 2019}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1999|8|11|df=y}}{{soccerway|pascal-struijk/440868|access-date=9 August 2020}}

| birth_place = Deurne, Belgium

| height = 1.90 m{{Cite web |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/pascal-struijk/ |title=Pascal Struijk |website=WorldFootball.net |access-date=12 December 2019}}

| position = Centre-back

| currentclub = Leeds United

| clubnumber = 5

| youthyears1 = 2006–2016

| youthclubs1 = ADO Den Haag

| youthyears2 = 2016–2018

| youthclubs2 = Ajax

| youthyears3 = 2018

| youthclubs3 = Leeds United

| years1 = 2018–

| clubs1 = Leeds United

| caps1 = 148

| goals1 = 12

| nationalyears1 = 2016

| nationalteam1 = Netherlands U17

| nationalcaps1 = 3

| nationalgoals1 = 0

| club-update = 23:30, 5 April 2025 (UTC)

}}

Pascal Augustus Struijk (born 11 August 1999) is a professional footballer who plays as a defender for {{English football updater|LeedsUni}} club Leeds United. Born in Belgium, he has represented the Netherlands internationally at youth level. Mainly a centre-back, Struijk can be deployed as a left-back or defensive midfielder. He has been a key part of manager Marcelo Bielsa's promotion campaign in 2020 and in Daniel Farke's campaign in 2025.

Club career

=Early career=

Struijk started his youth career at ADO Den Haag at the age of seven before moving to Ajax in 2016.{{Cite web |date=21 March 2016 |title=Jeugdtalent Pascal Struijk van ADO naar Ajax |url=https://denhaagfm.nl/2016/03/21/jeugdtalent-pascal-struijk-van-ado-naar-ajax/ |access-date=12 December 2019 |website=denhaagfm.nl |language=nl}} In his age group, he would compete with fellow left-sided centre-back and future international Sven Botman and struggled to make an impression, even being tried as a striker in some youth games.{{Cite web |date=15 September 2020 |title=Pascal Struijk – from a 'dead track' at Ajax to winning Bielsa's trust at Leeds |url=https://theathletic.co.uk/2067591/2020/09/16/pascal-struijk-marcelo-bielsa-leeds-united-ajax |access-date=26 April 2021 |publisher=The Athletic |language=en}} With his contract due to expire in the summer of 2018, Struijk joined Leeds United on trial in January of the same year before signing permanently later that month on a three-and-a-half-year deal.

=Leeds United=

File:Struijk.jpg in 2021]]

His first involvement with the first team came on 13 March 2018, when he was named on the bench against Aston Villa in a 1–0 defeat.{{Cite web |date=13 April 2018 |title=Aston Villa 1–0 Leeds United |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43664069 |access-date=28 March 2020 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-gb}} Struijk was a regular for the Leeds United under-23 side over the course the 2018–19 season,{{Cite web |last=Coombs |first=Dan |date=6 March 2019 |title=Pascal Struijk is shaping up as Leeds United's next breakout star |url=https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2019/03/06/pascal-struijk-is-shaping-up-as-leeds-uniteds-next-breakout-star/ |access-date=28 March 2020 |website=HITC |language=en}} and he featured in the team that won the Professional Development League on 6 May 2019, beating Birmingham City on penalties having drawn the final 0–0.{{Cite web |date=6 May 2019 |title=U23 Report: Leeds United 0–0 Birmingham City (Leeds win 4–2 penalties) |url=https://www.leedsunited.com/news/academy/24944/u23s-take-on-birmingham-city-in-final-showdown-at-elland-road |access-date=28 March 2020 |publisher=Leeds United F.C. |language=en}} He was named on the bench by Marcelo Bielsa for both legs of the Championship play-off semi-final against Derby County, but did not come off the bench for either; Leeds lost 4–3 on aggregate over the two legs.{{Cite web |date=15 May 2019 |title=Leeds United 2–4 Derby County (3–4 agg): Jack Marriott scores twice to send Rams to Wembley |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48196167 |access-date=28 March 2020 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-gb}}

On 10 December 2019, Struijk made his debut for Leeds United, coming on as a 91st-minute substitute for Hélder Costa in a 2–0 victory at home to Hull City.{{Cite web |date=10 December 2019 |title=Leeds United 2–0 Hull City: Marcelo Bielsa's Whites win to go top |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50639231 |access-date=12 December 2019 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}} His second appearance came in the following match as a late substitute in a 3–3 draw at home to Cardiff City, with Struijk failing to clear the ball in the build-up to Robert Glatzel's late equaliser.{{Cite web |last=Dawes |first=Olly |date=14 December 2019 |title=Leeds fans react to Pascal Struijk's performance |url=https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2019/12/14/leeds-fans-react-to-pascal-struijks-performance/ |access-date=20 July 2020 |website=HITC Sport |language=en-GB}}{{Cite news |date=14 December 2019 |title=Cardiff stun Leeds as Robert Glatzel seals draw after being three down |language=en-GB |work=The Observer |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/dec/14/leeds-cardiff-championship-match-report |access-date=20 July 2020 |issn=0029-7712}} He made his third appearance for the club as a 61st-minute substitute in a 1–0 win against Barnsley on 17 July 2020, with him being praised for his performance as a defensive midfielder.{{Cite news |last=Watach |first=Nestor |date=17 July 2020 |title=Pascal Struijk proved Marcelo Bielsa right in his high-pressure Barnsley cameo |work=LeedsLive |url=https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/how-to-complain/pascal-struijk-leeds-barnsley-bielsa-18611714 |access-date=20 July 2020}} He made his full debut on 19 July 2020, starting in the team that beat Derby County 3–1 in the penultimate game of the season.{{Cite news |last=Smyth |first=Graham |date=19 July 2020 |title=Derby County 1 Leeds United 3: Graham Smyth's player ratings |publisher=Yorkshire Evening Post |url=https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/derby-county-1-leeds-united-3-graham-smyths-player-ratings-premier-bound-whites-celebrate-style-pride-park-2917987 |access-date=20 July 2020}} Another appearance against Charlton Athletic followed in the final game of the season as Leeds finished the 2019–20 season at the top of the Championship, and were thus promoted to the Premier League.{{Cite web |date=22 July 2020 |title=Leeds United 4–0 Charlton Athletic: Addicks relegated after heavy defeat by champions |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53412707 |access-date=9 August 2020 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-gb}}{{Cite news |last=Laurence |first=Martin |date=24 July 2020 |title=The winners and losers in the Championship this season |language=en |work=The Guardian |url=http://www.theguardian.com/football/who-scored-blog/2020/jul/24/championship-winners-losers-season-leeds-charlton |access-date=9 August 2020}}

Due to an injury to fellow Leeds United centre-back Liam Cooper, Struijk started Leeds' first league game of the 2020–21 season; a 4–3 away defeat to Premier League champions Liverpool.{{Cite news |last=Mewis |first=Joe |date=12 September 2020 |title=Leeds United issue Liam Cooper injury update as Pascal Struijk drafted in |work=LeedsLive |url=https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/liam-cooper-injury-pascal-struijk-18924705 |access-date=12 September 2020}}{{Cite web |date=12 September 2020 |title=Salah hat-trick sinks Leeds in thriller |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54038549 |access-date=12 September 2020 |website=BBC Sport}} He signed a new three-and-a-half-year deal on 20 November 2020, lasting until summer 2024.{{Cite web |date=20 November 2020 |title=Leeds defender Struijk signs new deal |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55014443 |access-date=20 November 2020 |website=BBC Sport}} He scored the first goal of his senior career on 14 February 2021 in a 4–2 defeat away to Arsenal,{{Cite news |last=Jarred |first=Martin |date=14 February 2021 |title=Leeds forget to take their A-game to London — again |language=en |work=Telegraph & Argus |url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/19090012.match-report-arsenal-4-leeds-united-2/ |access-date=14 February 2021}} netting a header from a Raphinha corner in the 58th-minute. He scored once in 27 league appearances in his debut Premier League campaign.

On 12 September 2021, Struijk came on in the 33rd minute for the injured Diego Llorente, in a 3–0 home loss to Liverpool. In the 58th minute, Struijk fouled Harvey Elliott, which dislocated Elliott's ankle. Struijk was then sent off in the 60th minute for the tackle.{{cite web |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11669/12406589/harvey-elliott-liverpool-winger-suffers-serious-injury-against-leeds |title=Harvey Elliott: Liverpool winger suffers serious ankle injury against Leeds |work=Sky Sports |date=12 September 2021 |access-date=12 September 2021}} With Leeds in the Premier League relegation places with two matches of the Premier League season remaining, Struijk headed in a 92nd equaliser to draw 1–1 with Brighton & Hove Albion in their penultimate match,{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/may/15/leeds-brighton-premier-league-match-report | title=Struijk strike earns draw with Brighton to keep Leeds' survival hopes alive | website=TheGuardian.com | date=15 May 2022 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11661/12611991/leeds-united-1-1-brighton-pascal-struijk-scores-in-injury-time-to-give-leeds-hope-of-avoiding-relegation | title=Leeds United 1-1 Brighton: Pascal Struijk scores in injury time to give Leeds hope of avoiding relegation }} before a 2–1 final day victory over Brentford, in which Struijk appeared as a substitute, ensured Leeds' Premier League survival as they finished 17th.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61453546|title=Leeds beat Brentford with late winner to avoid drop|via=www.bbc.co.uk}} Struijk made 29 Premier League appearances over the course of the season.

Struijk started the 2022–23 season playing at left-back due to an injury to Junior Firpo.{{cite web | url=https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/pascal-struijk-opens-up-leeds-25270744 | title=Pascal Struijk opens up on Leeds United contract and Junior Firpo competition | date=16 October 2022 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/cw8evnly6x4o | title=Leeds United: Pascal Struijk growing into left-back role }} He scored his first goal of the season in the club's 2–1 loss to Crystal Palace on 9 October 2022.{{cite web | url=https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/pascal-struijk-explains-leeds-united-second-half-at-crystal-palace-main-regret-and-annoyance-3873107 | title=Pascal Struijk explains Leeds United second half at Crystal Palace, main Whites regret and annoyance | date=9 October 2022 }} On 21 December 2022, it was announced that Struijk had extended his contract until the summer of 2027.{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4024368/2022/12/21/pascal-struijk-leeds-united-contract/ |title=Pascal Struijk signs new Leeds United contract until 2027 |publisher=The New York Times |date=21 December 2022 }} "It's an amazing club. It was really easy for me to extend because I am really happy here," the BBC cited Struijk as saying.{{Cite news |title=Dutch defender Struijk extends Leeds contract |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64058232 |access-date=2022-12-21}} On 17 February 2025, he netted his first brace for the Whites in a 2–1 victory over Sunderland, two headed goals after being introduced as a 71st minute substitute, sending Leeds back to the top of the Championship.{{cite web |last=Taylor |first=Louise |url= https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/feb/17/leeds-sunderland-championship-match-report|title=Leeds 2–1 Sunderland: Leeds return to the top after super-sub Struijk strikes twice to sink Sunderland|publisher=The Guardian|date=17 February 2025|access-date=17 February 2025}}

Struijk's 2024-25 campaign ended on 11 April 2025 after suffering a season-ending foot injury in a 1-1 draw against Luton Town at Kenilworth Road.{{Cite web |date=2025-04-11 |title=Pascal Struijk: Leeds United defender to miss season run-in |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cx27en8qd8qo |access-date=2025-05-09 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}} He was promoted back to the Premier League with Leeds following a 6-0 win over Stoke City at Elland Road{{Cite web |title=Leeds United 6-0 Stoke City: Whites earn thumping win as they go on to win promotion |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/c62glk7vn2gt |access-date=2025-05-09 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}} and Sheffield United's 2-1 loss to Burnley at Turf Moor.{{Cite web |title=Burnley 2-1 Sheffield United: Clarets promoted along with Leeds |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/cvg70ljnn2gt |access-date=2025-05-09 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}} Leeds United won the 2024-25 EFL Championship title following a 2-1 win over Plymouth Argyle at Home Park on 3 May 2025.{{Cite web |title=Plymouth Argyle 1-2 Leeds United: Leeds win Championship title as Pilgrims are relegated |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/c14xy52vg71t |access-date=2025-05-09 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}

International career

Struijk was capped three times by the Netherlands under-17 team in 2016. In September 2022, he was named in a provisional Netherlands squad for international fixtures later that month,{{cite web | url=https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/pascal-struijk-netherlands-leeds-united-24915884 | title=Leeds United defender Pascal Struijk named in Netherlands' provisional squad | date=2 September 2022 }} before being named in a 39-man provisional Dutch squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.{{cite web | url=https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/leeds-united-star-makes-extended-squad-in-huge-boost-to-world-cup-hopes-3889105 | title=Leeds star Struijk makes Holland squad in boost to World Cup hopes | date=21 October 2022 }}

Style of play

Struijk is left-footed.{{Cite news |last=Groenstege |first=Minne |date=25 July 2020 |title=Struijk plots tegenover Rooney bij kampioen Leeds United: 'Ongekend wat hier is losgekomen' |language=nl |work=Algemeen Dagblad |url=https://www.ad.nl/buitenlands-voetbal/struijk-plots-tegenover-rooney-bij-kampioen-leeds-united-ongekend-wat-hier-is-losgekomen~a70d539a |access-date=29 July 2020}} He primarily plays as a centre-back, but can also play as a defensive midfielder,{{Cite news |last=Urquhart |first=Joe |date=20 November 2020 |title=Pascal Struijk 'living the dream' at Elland Road after penning new deal |work=Yorkshire Evening Post |url=https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/pascal-struijk-admits-hes-living-dream-leeds-united-after-penning-new-deal-3042729 |access-date=20 November 2020}} and as a left-back.{{Cite web |date=2022-07-30 |title=Leeds United employee shares Struijk prediction after early team news |url=https://www.footballinsider247.com/leeds-united-employee-shares-pascal-struijk-claim-after-early-team-news/ |access-date=2022-08-04 |website=Football Insider |language=en-GB}} Impressive in the air at either end, Struijk has been compared to Dutch international Virgil van Dijk due to his imposing physical play and ability on the ball.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2019/08/21/leeds-united-talent-is-being-compared-by-teammates-to-virgil-van/|title = Leeds United talent is being compared by teammates to Virgil van Dijk|date = 21 August 2019}}

Personal life

Struijk was born in Deurne in Belgium, but moved to The Hague at the age of three.{{Cite news |last=Groenstege |first=Minne |date=19 July 2020 |title=Basisdebutant Struijk met kampioen Leeds te sterk voor Cocu, Roos en Rooney |language=nl |work=Algemen Dagblad |url=https://www.ad.nl/buitenlands-voetbal/basisdebutant-struijk-met-kampioen-leeds-te-sterk-voor-cocu-roos-en-rooney~a88da5c7/ |access-date=2020-02-03}} He is of Indonesian descent through his maternal grandfather who was born in the Dutch East Indies.{{cite web|title=A Special Player Approaches to Play for the Indonesian National Team|url=https://www.ysscores.com/en/news/13738665/A-Special-Player-Approaches-to-Play-for-the-Indonesian-National-Team|date=29 April 2025|website=ysscores.com}}

Career statistics

Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps
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"\|FA Cup !colspan="2"\|EFL Cup !colspan="2"\|Total
rowspan="6"\|Leeds United \|2019–20{{soccerbase season\|110496\|2019\|access-date=28 March 2020}} \|Championship \|5	0	0	0	0	0	5	0
2020–21{{soccerbase season\|110496\|2020\|access-date=12 September 2020}} \|Premier League \|27	1	1	0	1	0	29	1
2021–22{{soccerbase season\|110496\|2021\|access-date=21 August 2021}} \|Premier League \|29	1	0	0	2	0	31	1
2022–23{{soccerbase season\|110496\|2022\|access-date=28 December 2022}} \|Premier League \|29	2	1	0	1	0	31	2
2023–24{{soccerbase season\|110496\|2023\|access-date=23 December 2023}} \|Championship \|23	3	0	0	2	2	25	5
2024–25{{soccerbase season\|110496\|2024\|access-date=2 January 2025}} \|Championship \|35	5	2	0	1	0	38	5
colspan="3"\|Career total !148	12	4	0	7	2	159	14

Honours

Leeds United

EFL Championship: 2019–20,{{Cite web |date=18 July 2020 |title=Leeds United are champions! |url=https://www.leedsunited.com/news/team-news/26806/leeds-united-are-champions |access-date=22 July 2020 |website=leedsunited.com |publisher=Leeds United F.C.}} 2024–25{{cite web |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/tournaments/tournament.sd?tourn_id=2108 |title=Championship: 2024/25: Current table |website=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |access-date=3 May 2025}}
{{cite web |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=1524&teamTabs=stats&season_id=157 |title=Leeds: Squad details: 2024/25 |website=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |access-date=3 May 2025}}