Piet Velthuizen

Piet Velthuizen (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈpit ˈfɛltɦœyzə(n)][2] born 3 November 1986) is a Dutch former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He participated in the 2008 Summer Olympics.

Piet Velthuizen
Personal information
Full name Piet Hubertus Velthuizen[1]
Date of birth (1986-11-03) 3 November 1986
Place of birth Nijmegen, Netherlands
Height 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Youth career
SCE
Quick 1888
0000–2006 Vitesse/ AGOVV
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2010 Vitesse 108 (0)
2010–2011 Hércules 3 (0)
2011–2016 Vitesse 108 (0)
2016–2017 Hapoel Haifa 27 (0)
2017 Omonia 9 (0)
2018–2019 AZ 0 (0)
2020 Telstar 0 (0)
2021 Fortuna Sittard 2 (0)
International career
2007–2008 Netherlands U-21 8 (0)
2008–2009 Netherlands B 3 (0)
2009 Netherlands 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

Vitesse

Velthuizen made his first team debut on 31 December 2006, in the 2–2 away match against Willem II. His career developed rapidly, and according to Sky Sports, he was among the most promising goalkeepers in Europe in 2008.[3] He broke into the Vitesse first team in the 2007–08 season, when he signed a contract extension until 2011.[4]

Hércules

In the summer of 2010 Velthuizen joined Spanish side Hércules for €800,000 as they sought to strengthen their squad for their first season back in the top flight after a thirteen year absence. He had to settle as second choice to Calatayud, making just 5 appearances in all competitions.

Vitesse return

After one solitary season in Spain which culminated with Hércules being relegated Velthuizen re-joined Vitesse and instantly became first-choice goalkeeper again. He remained a constant in the Vitesse goal until November 2014 when he lost his place to Eloy Room. After his only appearance of the 2015/16 season coming in a 4-1 extra time defeat to Heracles Almelo in a cup match in which Vitesse had to play the entire period of extra time with 8 men due to three sendings off, he departed at the end of his contract.

Hapoel Haifa

Velthuizen then moved on to Israel joining Hapoel Haifa. He was their main goalie as they finished in 8th place - their highest finish in 16 years.

Omonia Nicosia

On 17 July 2017, Velthuizen signed a contract with the Cypriot First Division club Omonia Nicosia where he would play alongside compatriot Hedwiges Maduro.[5] He would end up cancelling his contract on 1 January 2018 after just 9 games.[6]

AZ

After two seasons away Velthuizen returned to the country of his birth joining AZ Alkmaar on 28 August 2018 as back up to Marco Bizot after an injury to the normal number two Rody de Boer.[7] This spell ultimately proved unsuccessful as he failed to make an appearance and was released at the end of the season.

Telstar

On 10 February 2020, after seven months without a club, he joined Telstar in the Eerste Divisie.[8] He left the club at the end of the season.

Fortuna Sittard

On 26 February 2021, Velthuizen joined Fortuna Sittard on a deal for the rest of the season.[9] Despite Velthuizen being unfit according to goalkeepers coach Sieb Dijkstra, who had publicly spoken against the club signing him,[10] head coach Sjors Ultee gave him his Fortuna debut two days later against Groningen.[11] Velthuizen, however, fell out with a hamstring injury in the 22nd minute.[12] The conflict led to Dijkstra's dismissal from Fortuna's coaching staff.[13][10]

International career

Velthuizen received his first call-up to the Dutch squad on 21 March 2008 for the friendly match against Austria.[14] On 5 September 2009, he made his debut for the national team in a friendly match against Japan after coming on as a half time substitute for Michel Vorm. He managed to keep a clean sheet in the 3–0 win.[15] Currently he is no longer part of the national football team.

2008 Summer Olympics

He was selected by Foppe de Haan to be in the squad for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. Although being first choice in most of the run-up to the Olympics, he was told by De Haan he would be second choice after the other Dutch goalkeeper in the squad; Kenneth Vermeer.

Career statistics
As of match played 23 February 2020.
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Vitesse 2006–07 Eredivisie 8000—0080
2007–08 Eredivisie 33000——330
2008–09 Eredivisie 33020——350
2009–10 Eredivisie 33020——350
2010–11 Eredivisie 1000——10
Total 108040—001120
Hércules 2010–11 La Liga 3020——50
Vitesse 2011–12 Eredivisie 29030—4[lower-alpha 1]0360
2012–13 Eredivisie 34000—4[lower-alpha 2]0380
2013–14 Eredivisie 34030—4[lower-alpha 3]0410
2014–15 Eredivisie 11010—00120
2015–16 Eredivisie 0010——10
Total 108080—1201280
Hapoel Haifa 2016–17 Israeli Premier League 2705010—330
Omonia 2017–18 Cypriot First Division 9000——90
AZ Alkmaar 2018–19 Eredivisie 0000——00
Telstar 2019–20 Eerste Divisie 0000——00
Career total 2550190101202870
  1. Appearance(s) in Eredivisie European play-offs
  2. Appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League
  3. Two appearances in UEFA Europa League, two in Eredivisie play-offs

References
  1. Interview Piet Velthuizen – Vitessespelers
  2. In isolation, Velthuizen is pronounced [ˈvɛltɦœyzə(n)].
  3. Gerrit van Leeuwen (28 January 2008). "Gunners check on Dutch keeper". Sky Sports. Retrieved 28 January 2008.
  4. "Keeper happy at Vitesse". Sky Sports. 28 January 2008. Retrieved 28 January 2008.
  5. "Ποδοσφαιριστής της ΟΜΟΝΟΙΑΣ ο Piet Velthuizen". Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  6. "The best free transfer keepers". Goal. 10 January 2018. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  7. "Piet Velthuizen tekent bij AZ".
  8. "DPG Media Privacy Gate".
  9. Het is rond: Piet Velthuizen tekent bij Fortuna Sittard, sportnieuws.nl, 26 February 2021
  10. "Keeperstrainer Fortuna clasht met Ultee: 'Wil nooit meer iets met die man te maken hebben'". VandaagInside (in Dutch). 3 March 2021. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  11. Made, Richard van der (6 March 2021). "Kritiek maakt doelman Piet Velthuizen sterker: 'Iedereen mag om me lachen'". Omroep Gelderland (in Dutch). Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  12. Caelen, Sem (28 February 2021). "Fortuna-debuut Velthuizen na kwart wedstrijd voorbij". 1limburg (in Dutch). Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  13. "Fortuna zet keeperstrainer uit staf: 'Dijkstra roept nu bepaalde onwaarheden'". NOS (in Dutch). 4 March 2021. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  14. "Van Basten neemt Velthuizen mee" (in Dutch). De Telegraaf. 28 January 2008. Retrieved 21 March 2008.
  15. "Netherlands beat Japan 3–0 in friendly". Associated Press. 5 September 2009. Archived from the original on 8 September 2009. Retrieved 7 September 2009.
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