Romano Postema

Postema was born in Groningen, Netherlands, and has stated that he had a passion for football from a young age: "I was always playing football on the street. Before and after school, I was only focused on one thing and that was a ball. My brother and I were always out on the street playing football. It was a fun learning experience," he recalls. He began playing organised football for hometown clubs DIO Groningen and GVAV-Rapiditas before joining FC Groningen's academy in 2013.{{cite news |last1=Kunst |first1=Jeroen |title=Publiekslieveling Romano Postema wil eerste spits worden |url=https://dekrantvantynaarlo.nl/publiekslieveling-romano-postema-wil-eerste-spits-worden/ |access-date=10 April 2023 |work=De Krant van Tynaarlo – Het laatste nieuws in de gemeente Tynaarlo |date=25 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221128013940/https://dekrantvantynaarlo.nl/publiekslieveling-romano-postema-wil-eerste-spits-worden/ |archive-date=28 November 2022 |language=nl}}{{cite web |title=Romano Postema tekent profcontract bij FC Groningen |url=https://www.gvav.nl/1/428/romano-postema-tekent-profcontract-bij-fc-groningen/ |website=GVAV-Rapiditas |access-date=10 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410111211/https://www.gvav.nl/1/428/romano-postema-tekent-profcontract-bij-fc-groningen/ |archive-date=10 April 2023 |language=nl |date=10 March 2019}} He signed his first professional contract on 6 March 2019, having made a strong impression in the under-17 league where he managed to net 24 goals in 18 matches under the guidance of coach Paul Matthijs, as well as seven goals in two U17 cup games.{{cite web |title=Romano Postema tekent contract bij FC Groningen |url=https://www.fcgroningen.nl/nieuws/romano-postema-tekent-contract-bij-fc-groningen/ |website=FC Groningen |access-date=10 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410105842/https://www.fcgroningen.nl/nieuws/romano-postema-tekent-contract-bij-fc-groningen/ |archive-date=10 April 2023 |language=nl |date=6 March 2019}} Later that year, on 31 August, Postema made his professional debut in a 3–1 Eredivisie loss to Heracles Almelo, coming on as a substitute for Amir Absalem.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2019/08/31/netherlands/eredivisie/stichting-fc-groningen/stichting-heracles-almelo/3032092/|title=Groningen vs. Heracles – 31 August 2019 |website=Soccerway}}

On 22 May 2020, Postema extended his contract with Groningen until 2024.{{cite news |title=FC Groningen beloont veelbelovende Postema met langdurig contract |url=https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/fc-groningen-beloont-veelbelovende-postema-met-langdurig-contract |access-date=10 April 2023 |work=Voetbal International |date=22 May 2020 |language=nl}}{{cite news |title=Aanvaller Postema tekent tot 2024 bij FC Groningen |url=https://www.ad.nl/groningen/aanvaller-postema-tekent-tot-2024-bij-fc-groningen~ae7d64bb/ |access-date=10 April 2023 |work=Algemeen Dagblad |date=22 May 2022 |language=nl}} However, on 6 October 2020, he was loaned out to second-tier Eerste Divisie club FC Den Bosch for the remainder of the 2020–21 season.{{cite news |last1=Pomp |first1=William |title=Romano Postema wordt verhuurd aan FC Den Bosch, maar FC Groningen ziet nog steeds toekomst in spits |url=https://www.dvhn.nl/sport/Romano-Postema-wordt-verhuurd-aan-FC-Den-Bosch-maar-FC-Groningen-ziet-nog-steeds-toekomst-in-spits-26085344.html |accessdate=19 October 2020 |work=Dagblad van het Noorden |date=6 October 2020 |language=nl}}{{cite news |title=FC Groningen laat talentvolle Postema (18) op huurbasis gaan: Een mooie toekomst |url=https://www.voetbalprimeur.nl/nieuws/948137/fc-groningen-laat-talentvolle-postema-18-op-huurbasis-gaan-een-mooie-toekomst-.html |access-date=10 April 2023 |work=Voetbalprimeur |date=6 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311114013/https://www.voetbalprimeur.nl/nieuws/948137/fc-groningen-laat-talentvolle-postema-18-op-huurbasis-gaan-een-mooie-toekomst-.html |archive-date=11 March 2022 |language=nl}} During a league match against Roda JC on 23 April 2021, Postema scored a hat-trick, strongly contributing to his team's 7–0 victory.{{cite news |title=Romano Postema wint duel der FC Groningen-huurlingen. De spits scoort drie keer voor FC Den Bosch tegen het Roda JC van doelman Jan Hoekstra |url=https://dvhn.nl/sport/Romano-Postema-wint-duel-der-FC-Groningen-huurlingen.-De-spits-scoort-drie-keer-voor-FC-Den-Bosch-tegen-het-Roda-JC-van-doelman-Jan-Hoekstra-26781382.html |access-date=10 April 2023 |work=Dagblad van het Noorden |date=23 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207174302/https://dvhn.nl/sport/Romano-Postema-wint-duel-der-FC-Groningen-huurlingen.-De-spits-scoort-drie-keer-voor-FC-Den-Bosch-tegen-het-Roda-JC-van-doelman-Jan-Hoekstra-26781382.html |archive-date=7 February 2022 |language=nl-NL}}

Postema returned to Groningen for the 2021–22 season, and on 27 October 2021, he stood out during a KNVB Cup match against Helmond Sport by scoring two goals and helping his team win 4–0.{{cite news |title=Heerenveen komt goed weg bij AFC, opstekers voor Sparta en FC Groningen |url=https://www.ad.nl/nederlands-voetbal/heerenveen-komt-goed-weg-bij-afc-opstekers-voor-sparta-en-fc-groningen~a36e0b9d/ |access-date=10 April 2023 |work=Algemeen Dagblad |date=27 October 2021 |language=nl}} On 12 March 2022, he came off the bench in the 78th minute and made an impressive impact, scoring his first two goals for Groningen and helping the team secure a thrilling 4–3 victory over NEC.{{cite web |title=FC Groningen – NEC Nijmegen 4:3 (Eredivisie 2021/2022, 26. Round) |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/report/eredivisie-2021-2022-fc-groningen-nec-nijmegen/ |website=WorldFootball.net |publisher=HEIM:SPIEL |access-date=10 April 2023}} He scored six goals in 35 total appearances for the club that season, mainly as a substitute.{{cite web |title=Romano Postema » Club matches |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/romano-postema/2/ |website=WorldFootball.net |publisher=HEIM:SPIEL |access-date=10 April 2023}}

At the start of the 2022–23 season, Postema played for Groningen, but on 31 August 2022, he was loaned out to Roda JC in the second tier, until the end of the season.{{cite press release |title=FC Groningen verhuurt Postema aan Roda JC |url=https://www.fcgroningen.nl/nieuws/fc-groningen-verhuurt-postema-aan-roda-jc/2 |website=FC Groningen |access-date=10 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220831173909/https://www.fcgroningen.nl/nieuws/fc-groningen-verhuurt-postema-aan-roda-jc/2 |archive-date=31 August 2022 |language=nl |date=31 August 2022}}{{cite news |title=Update: FC Groningen verhuurt Postema aan Roda JC: 'De juiste stap' |url=https://www.voetbalprimeur.nl/nieuws/1044464/fc-groningen-verhuurt-talentvolle-spits-opnieuw-nu-aan-roda-jc.html |access-date=10 April 2023 |work=Voetbalprimeur |date=31 August 2022 |language=nl}} He immediately made an impact for the club, scoring a late equaliser in a 1–1 derby draw against MVV on 4 September 2022.{{cite news |last1=Suilen |first1=Maikel |title=Heerlijke start Romano Postema uit Groningen bij Roda JC. 'Ik zei het vooraf al tegen m'n ouders' |url=https://dvhn.nl/sport/Heerlijke-start-Romano-Postema-in-Zuid-Limburgse-derby-%E2%80%98Ik-zei-het-vooraf-al-tegen-m%E2%80%99n-ouders%E2%80%99-27912744.html |access-date=10 April 2023 |work=Dagblad van het Noorden |date=7 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908194019/https://dvhn.nl/sport/Heerlijke-start-Romano-Postema-in-Zuid-Limburgse-derby-%E2%80%98Ik-zei-het-vooraf-al-tegen-m%E2%80%99n-ouders%E2%80%99-27912744.html |archive-date=8 September 2022 |language=nl}} Postema scored six goals and provided two assists in 32 competitive appearances for Roda and returned to recently relegated Groningen at the end of the season.{{cite web |title=Roda JC neemt afscheid van elf spelers |url=https://www.rodajckerkrade.nl/nieuwsbericht/23-05-2023/roda-jc-neemt-afscheid-van-elf-spelers |website=Roda JC Kerkrade |access-date=3 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230523121802/https://www.rodajckerkrade.nl/nieuwsbericht/23-05-2023/roda-jc-neemt-afscheid-van-elf-spelers |archive-date=23 May 2023 |language=nl |date=23 May 2023}}

After returning to Groningen following his loan spell at Roda JC, Postema immediately established himself as a starter in head coach Dick Lukkien's side.{{cite news |last1=Jong |first1=Thijs de |title=Hopen op Johan Hove en verrassend nieuws voor Romano Postema. Van niet op de foto naar een basisplek bij FC Groningen |url=https://dvhn.nl/sport/Hopen-op-Hove-en-verrassend-nieuws-voor-Romano-Postema-van-niet-op-de-foto-naar-een-basisplek-bij-FC-Groningen-28585090.html |access-date=13 July 2024 |work=Dagblad van het Noorden |date=11 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813011047/https://dvhn.nl/sport/Hopen-op-Hove-en-verrassend-nieuws-voor-Romano-Postema-van-niet-op-de-foto-naar-een-basisplek-bij-FC-Groningen-28585090.html |archive-date=13 August 2023 |language=nl-NL}}{{cite web |title=Postema: 'Alles heb ik hier; vrienden, familie en de club waarvoor ik graag wil spelen' |url=https://www.fcgroningen.nl/nieuws/postema-alles-heb-ik-hier-vrienden-familie-en-de-club-waarvoor-ik-graag-wil-spelen/ |website=FC Groningen |access-date=13 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227100844/https://www.fcgroningen.nl/nieuws/postema-alles-heb-ik-hier-vrienden-familie-en-de-club-waarvoor-ik-graag-wil-spelen/ |archive-date=27 December 2023 |language=nl-NL |date=27 December 2023}} In the first league game upon his return, on 11 August 2024 against Jong Ajax, Postema scored a header to help Groningen to a 4–1 home victory.{{cite news |title=Lees terug: FC Groningen wint met 4–1 van Jong Ajax |url=https://www.rtvnoord.nl/nieuws/1052493/lees-terug-fc-groningen-wint-met-4-1-van-jong-ajax |access-date=13 July 2024 |work=RTV Noord |date=11 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230815185659/https://www.rtvnoord.nl/nieuws/1052493/lees-terug-fc-groningen-wint-met-4-1-van-jong-ajax |archive-date=15 August 2023 |language=nl}}{{cite web |title=FC Groningen – Jong Ajax 4:1 (Eerste Divisie 2023/2024, 1. Round) |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/report/eerste-divisie-2023-2024-fc-groningen-jong-ajax/ |website=WorldFootball.net |publisher=HEIM:SPIEL |access-date=13 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713194501/https://www.worldfootball.net/report/eerste-divisie-2023-2024-fc-groningen-jong-ajax/ |archive-date=13 July 2024}} On 26 January 2024, he scored his first brace in a 4–1 league win over Jong AZ.{{cite news |title=Lees terug: FC Groningen verslaat Jong AZ met 4–1 |url=https://www.rtvnoord.nl/sport/1120573/lees-terug-fc-groningen-verslaat-jong-az-met-4-1 |access-date=13 July 2024 |work=RTV Noord |date=26 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713195012/https://www.rtvnoord.nl/sport/1120573/lees-terug-fc-groningen-verslaat-jong-az-met-4-1 |archive-date=13 July 2024 |language=nl}} He then scored consecutive braces on 4 and 8 March, leading Groningen to 4–1 and 3–0 league victories against Den Bosch and MVV, respectively.{{cite news |last1=Theelen |first1=Daniel |title=FC Groningen wordt wakker na tegentreffer en wint van FC Den Bosch |url=https://www.oogtv.nl/2024/03/fc-groningen-wordt-wakker-na-tegentreffer-en-wint-van-fc-den-bosch/ |access-date=13 July 2024 |work=OOG TV |date=4 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240316065429/https://www.oogtv.nl/2024/03/fc-groningen-wordt-wakker-na-tegentreffer-en-wint-van-fc-den-bosch/ |archive-date=16 March 2024 |language=nl-NL}}{{cite news |title=FC Groningen domineert in een vermakelijk duel tegen MVV: 3–0 winst |url=https://www.oogtv.nl/2024/03/fc-groningen-domineert-in-een-vermakelijk-duel-tegen-mvv-3-0-winst/ |access-date=13 July 2024 |work=OOG TV |date=8 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240309065658/https://www.oogtv.nl/2024/03/fc-groningen-domineert-in-een-vermakelijk-duel-tegen-mvv-3-0-winst/ |archive-date=9 March 2024 |language=nl-NL}} On 15 March, he scored a hat-trick in Groningen's 4–2 Eredivisie win over De Graafschap.{{cite news |title=FC Groningen klimt dankzij vierde zege op rij naar promotieplek in eerste divisie |url=https://nos.nl/artikel/2512921-fc-groningen-klimt-dankzij-vierde-zege-op-rij-naar-promotieplek-in-eerste-divisie |access-date=13 July 2024 |work=NOS |date=15 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240315232347/https://nos.nl/artikel/2512921-fc-groningen-klimt-dankzij-vierde-zege-op-rij-naar-promotieplek-in-eerste-divisie |archive-date=15 March 2024 |language=nl}} His performances meant that he was voted Player of the Period of Period 4.{{cite web |title=Romano Postema verkozen tot Beste Speler, FC Dordrecht valt opnieuw in de prijzen |url=https://keukenkampioendivisie.nl/nieuws/romano-postema-verkozen-tot-beste-speler-fc-dordrecht-valt-opnieuw-in-de-prijzen |website=Keuken Kampioen Divisie |access-date=13 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713200227/https://keukenkampioendivisie.nl/nieuws/romano-postema-verkozen-tot-beste-speler-fc-dordrecht-valt-opnieuw-in-de-prijzen |archive-date=13 July 2024 |language=nl |date=3 July 2024}}

Postema finished the season with 20 goals in 40 appearances, including eight goals in five games in March 2024. His contributions were key in securing Groningen's promotion back to the Eredivisie.{{cite web |title=FC Groningen promoveert naar de Eredivisie |url=https://keukenkampioendivisie.nl/nieuws/fc-groningen-promoveert-naar-de-eredivisie |website=Keuken Kampioen Divisie |access-date=13 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713200852/https://keukenkampioendivisie.nl/nieuws/fc-groningen-promoveert-naar-de-eredivisie |archive-date=13 July 2024 |language=nl |date=3 July 2024}}

Postema was selected for the Netherlands U17 national team's squad for the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup, but made only one 93rd-minute substitute appearance for Sontje Hansen in the group stage as the Netherlands finished fourth.{{cite web |title=Netherlands U17 vs. United States U17 – 3 November 2019 |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2019/11/03/world/u17-world-cup/netherlands-under-17/united-states-under-17/3070652/ |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=10 April 2023}}

Postema has been described as a hard-working striker, who during his time with Groningen became a fan favourite. Postema himself has stated that he likes to play with space behind the opponent's defense so that he can be sent through on goal. He is also willing to use any means necessary to win, including diving if it means winning a game. Upon joining Roda JC on loan in 2022, head coach Jurgen Streppel described Postema as a "technically skilled player with a keen sense for scoring goals."{{cite press release |title=Romano Postema op huurbasis naar Roda JC |url=https://www.rodajckerkrade.nl/nieuwsbericht/31-08-2022/romano-postema-op-huurbasis-naar-roda-jc |website=Roda JC Kerkrade |access-date=10 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207180101/https://www.rodajckerkrade.nl/nieuwsbericht/31-08-2022/romano-postema-op-huurbasis-naar-roda-jc |archive-date=7 February 2023 |language=nl |date=31 August 2022}}

{{updated|match played 10 May 2024}}

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

• {{Soccerway}}
• {{WorldFootball.net|romano-postema}}

{{FC Groningen squad}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Postema, Romano}}

Category:2002 births

Category:Living people

Category:Footballers from Groningen (city)

Category:Dutch men's footballers

Category:Netherlands men's youth international footballers

Category:Men's association football forwards

Category:GVAV-Rapiditas players

Category:FC Groningen players

Category:FC Den Bosch players

Category:Roda JC Kerkrade players

Category:Eredivisie players

Category:Eerste Divisie players

Category:21st-century Dutch sportsmen