Stef Peeters

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Stef Peeters

| image = Stef Peeters.jpg

| caption = Peeters in 2017

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1992|2|9|df=y}}

| birth_place = Meeuwen-Gruitrode, Belgium

| height = 1.88 m{{cite web |title=Stef Peeters |url=https://www.as-eupen.be/player/stef-peeters/ |website=AS Eupen |access-date=19 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206040403/https://www.as-eupen.be/player/stef-peeters/ |archive-date=6 December 2022 |language=de-DE |url-status=live}}

| currentclub = Patro Eisden

| clubnumber = 8

| position = Midfielder

| youthyears1 = 1998–1999

| youthclubs1 = Sporting Nevok Gruitrode

| youthyears2 = 1999–2011

| youthclubs2 = Genk

| years1 = 2011–2015

| clubs1 = Genk

| caps1 = 5

| goals1 = 0

| years2 = 2013–2014

| clubs2 = → Sparta Rotterdam (loan)

| caps2 = 27

| goals2 = 2

| years3 = 2014–2015

| clubs3 = → MVV (loan)

| caps3 = 33

| goals3 = 7

| years4 = 2015–2016

| clubs4 = MVV

| caps4 = 35

| goals4 = 10

| years5 = 2016–2017

| clubs5 = Sint-Truiden

| caps5 = 37

| goals5 = 5

| years6 = 2017–2019

| clubs6 = Caen

| caps6 = 27

| goals6 = 0

| years7 = 2019

| clubs7 = → Zulte Waregem (loan)

| caps7 = 14

| goals7 = 1

| years8 = 2019–2020

| clubs8 = Cercle Brugge

| caps8 = 24

| goals8 = 6

| years9 = 2020–2023

| clubs9 = Eupen

| caps9 = 94

| goals9 = 12

| years10 = 2023–

| clubs10 = Patro Eisden

| caps10 = 27

| goals10 = 3

| club-update = 20 April 2025

}}

Stef Peeters (born 9 February 1992) is a Belgian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Challenger Pro League club Patro Eisden. He formerly played for Genk, Sparta Rotterdam, MVV, Sint-Truiden, Cercle Brugge and Eupen.

Career

=Genk=

Born in Meeuwen-Gruitrode, Peeters is a Genk youth exponent,{{cite news|title=Stef Peeters ruilt STVV voor Caen|url=http://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20170622_02936386|accessdate=27 June 2017|work=Het Nieuwsblad|date=22 June 2017|language=Dutch}} joining them from childhood club Sporting Nevok Gruitrode as a seven-year-old.{{cite web |title=SHOT sprak met ... Stef Peeters |url=https://www.cerclebrugge.be/nl/news/shot-sprak-met-stef-peeters |website=Cercle Brugge |access-date=19 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723190032/https://www.cerclebrugge.be/nl/news/shot-sprak-met-stef-peeters |archive-date=23 July 2021 |language=nl |date=26 January 2020 |url-status=live}} He made his professional debut for Genk under head coach Mario Been on 19 November 2011, replacing Dániel Tőzsér in the 83rd minute of a 3–0 league win over Westerlo.{{cite news |last1=Smeets |first1=Rudi |title=Opgemerkt debuut van Stef Peeters bij KRC Genk |url=https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/5l3iisil |access-date=19 January 2023 |work=Het Nieuwsblad |date=21 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230119182338/https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/5l3iisil |archive-date=19 January 2023 |language=nl-BE}} He signed his first contract three days later, on 22 November, keeping him at Genk until 2013.{{cite news |title=Jeugdexponent Peeters krijgt contract bij Genk |url=https://www.fcupdate.nl/voetbalnieuws/191187/jeugdexponent-peeters-krijgt-contract-bij-genk/ |access-date=19 January 2023 |work=FCUpdate.nl |date=22 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111224023647/http://www.fcupdate.nl/voetbalnieuws/191187/jeugdexponent-peeters-krijgt-contract-bij-genk/ |archive-date=24 December 2011 |language=nl}}

On 1 January 2013, Peeters was sent on a one-and-a-half-season loan to Sparta Rotterdam, after extending his contract with Genk until 2015.{{cite news |last1=Eeckhaut |first1=Dimitri |title=Stef Peeters ruilt Racing Genk voor Sparta Rotterdam |url=https://www.hln.be/racing-genk/stef-peeters-ruilt-racing-genk-voor-sparta-rotterdam~afde357f/ |access-date=19 January 2023 |work=Het Laatste Nieuws |date=3 January 2013 |language=nl-BE}} He made his debut for Sparta as a starter on 3 February 2013 in a 1–0 victory against Cambuur in the Eerste Divisie.{{cite web |title=Sparta Rotterdam vs. Cambuur – 3 February 2013 |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2013/02/03/netherlands/eerste-divisie/sparta-rotterdam-bv/stichting-cambuur-leeuwarden-bvo/1290934/ |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=19 January 2023}} Peeters scored his first professional goal exactly one year later, on 3 February 2014, opening the score in Sparta's 2–1 away win over Jong PSV.{{cite news |title=Eerste zege Sparta onder Kruys |url=https://www.trouw.nl/nieuws/eerste-zege-sparta-onder-kruys~b57d1241/ |access-date=19 January 2023 |work=Trouw |date=4 February 2014 |language=nl-NL}}

=MVV=

Ahead of the 2014–15 season, Peeters was sent on loan to Eerste Divisie club MVV alongside fellow Genk players Jordy Croux, Willem Ofori-Appiah and Alessio Alessandro as part of the two clubs' cooperation agreement.{{cite web |title=Samenwerking KRC Genk en MVV officieel bekrachtigd |url=https://www.mvv.nl/mvv-maastricht/club/nieuws/samenwerking-krc-genk-en-mvv-officieel-bekrachtigd |website=MVV |access-date=19 January 2023 |language=nl |date=21 August 2014}} He made his debut for the club on 8 August 2014 in a 5–0 loss away to Almere City in a game where MVV started seven Belgians.{{cite web |title=Zware domper MVV bij seizoenstart in Almere (5–0) |url=https://www.mvv.nl/mvv-maastricht/club/nieuws/zware-domper-mvv-bij-seizoenstart-in-almere-5-0 |website=MVV |access-date=19 January 2023 |language=nl |date=11 August 2014}} On 25 August he scored his first goal for MVV on a penalty-kick in an away win over Jong Twente.{{cite news |title=Jong FC Twente verliest van MVV |url=https://www.rtvoost.nl/nieuws/196745/jong-fc-twente-verliest-van-mvv |access-date=19 January 2023 |work=RTV Oost |date=25 August 2014 |language=nl}}

Peeters signed a permanent deal with MVV on 23 June 2015, a one-year contract with an option for an additional season.{{cite web |title=MVV Maastricht legt 'regisseur' Stef Peeters definitief vast |url=https://www.mvv.nl/mvv-maastricht/club/nieuws/mvv-maastricht-legt-lsquo-regisseur |website=MVV |access-date=19 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230119184642/https://www.mvv.nl/mvv-maastricht/club/nieuws/mvv-maastricht-legt-lsquo-regisseur |archive-date=19 January 2023 |language=nl |date=23 June 2015}}

=Sint-Truiden=

In summer 2016, Peeters joined Belgian Pro League side Sint-Truiden from MVV on a two-year deal. During the 2016–17 season he amassed 13 assists and five goals in 39 matches.

=Caen=

On 22 June 2017, French Ligue 1 Caen announced that they had reached an agreement for the transfer of Peeters on a three-year contract, for a reported fee of €1.5 million.{{cite news |title=Le Belge Stef Peeters (Saint-Trond) signe à Caen |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Le-belge-stef-peeters-saint-trond-signe-a-caen/812717 |access-date=19 January 2023 |work=L'Équipe |date=22 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118171322/https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Le-belge-stef-peeters-saint-trond-signe-a-caen/812717 |archive-date=18 January 2022 |language=fr}}

He made his debut for Caen on 5 August 2017, the opening matchday of the 2017–18 season, replacing Durel Avounou in the 70th minute of a 1–0 away loss to Montpellier.{{cite web |title=Montpellier / SM Caen (1 / 0) |url=https://www.ligue1.com/match?matchId=65396 |website=Ligue 1 |access-date=19 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230119222914/https://www.ligue1.com/match?matchId=65396 |archive-date=19 January 2023 |url-status=live}} He would mostly remain a substitute during the first half of the season, only making his first league start on 20 December, playing 71 minutes before being subbed off in a 3–1 loss to Paris Saint-Germain.{{cite web |title=PSG vs. Caen 3–1: Summary |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2017/12/20/france/ligue-1/paris-saint-germain-fc/stade-malherbe-caen-calvados-basse-norma/2465093/ |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=19 January 2023}} In the second half of the season he became a starter for the club, finishing with a total of 25 appearances for Caen, who managed to avoid relegation.{{cite web |title=S. Peeters: Summary |url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/stef-peeters/138277/ |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=19 January 2023}}

=Eupen=

On 7 July 2020, Peeters moved to Eupen.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=7 July 2020|title=KAS Eupen verpflichtet Stef Peeters|url=https://www.as-eupen.be/kas-eupen-verpflichtet-stef-peeters/|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=11 July 2020|website=KAS Eupen|language=de}} On 10 August, he made his debut for the club in a league game against Oud-Heverlee Leuven.{{cite web |title=OH Leuven vs. AS Eupen – 10 August 2020 |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2020/08/10/belgium/pro-league/fc-oud-heverlee-leuven/koninklijke-as-eupen/3323521/ |website=Soccerway |access-date=29 June 2021}} He scored his first goal for the Pandas on 21 November 2020, giving his team the lead in the 57th minute of an eventual 2–2 away draw against Standard Liège.{{cite web |title=Standard Liège vs. AS Eupen 2–2: Summary |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2020/11/21/belgium/pro-league/standard-de-liege/koninklijke-as-eupen/3323623/ |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=27 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826105614/https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2020/11/21/belgium/pro-league/standard-de-liege/koninklijke-as-eupen/3323623/ |archive-date=26 August 2021}}

=Patro Eisden=

On 1 September 2023, Challenger Pro League club, Patro Eisden, made a remarkably unexpected move by signing Peeters as a free agent.{{cite news |title=Patro stunt met komst van Stef Peeters |url=https://www.tvl.be/nieuws/patro-stunt-met-komst-van-stef-peeters-157893 |access-date=27 September 2023 |work=TVL – Dagelijks nieuws uit Limburg |date=1 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230903063524/https://www.tvl.be/nieuws/patro-stunt-met-komst-van-stef-peeters-157893 |archive-date=3 September 2023 |language=nl-BE}} He signed a four-year contract with the club, recently promoted from the third-tier Belgian National Division 1, and managed by former Belgian international Stijn Stijnen.{{cite news |last1=De Schrijver |first1=Jimmy |last2=Standaert |first2=Thomas |title=Stunttransfer in Eisden: Stef Peeters tekent voor vier seizoenen bij Patro |url=https://www.hbvl.be/cnt/dmf20230901_95978580 |access-date=27 September 2023 |work=Het Belang van Limburg |date=1 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921025855/https://www.hbvl.be/cnt/dmf20230901_95978580 |archive-date=21 September 2023 |language=nl-BE}} Peeters made his debut for the club in the Belgian Cup, starting in a 2–0 victory against Hoogstraten on 9 September.{{cite web |title=Hoogstraten vs. Patro Eisden 0–2: Summary |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/09/09/belgium/beker-van-belgie/hoogstraten-vv/patro-eisden-maasmechelen/4103691/ |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=27 September 2023}} One week later, he made his debut for Klein Anderlecht in the Challenger Pro League, contributing to a 3–1 away victory against the real Anderlecht's reserves, the RSCA Futures.{{cite news |last1=Kums |first1=Tom |title=Patro Eisden wint opnieuw en staat knap tweede |url=https://www.tvl.be/sport/patro-eisden-wint-opnieuw-en-staat-knap-tweede-158503 |access-date=27 September 2023 |work=TVL – Dagelijks nieuws uit Limburg |date=17 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923192652/https://www.tvl.be/sport/patro-eisden-wint-opnieuw-en-staat-knap-tweede-158503 |archive-date=23 September 2023 |language=nl-BE}} He provided an assist for Stefán Ingi Sigurðarson's goal in the 54th minute.{{cite web |title=RSC Anderlecht II vs. Patro Eisden 1–3: Summary |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/09/16/belgium/second-division/belgium-rsc-anderlecht-u23-rsc-anderlecht-ii/patro-eisden-maasmechelen/4090389/ |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=27 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230927153226/https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/09/16/belgium/second-division/belgium-rsc-anderlecht-u23-rsc-anderlecht-ii/patro-eisden-maasmechelen/4090389/ |archive-date=27 September 2023}}