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Mees Rijks

Mees Rijks (born 8 March 2003) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a striker for Norwegian club Vålerenga of the Eliteserien.[1]

Club career

He played as a youngster for FC Abcoude and Amsterdamsche FC prior to joining the youth academy at FC Utrecht. After four feats progressing through their youth ranks, Rijks signed his first professional contract in June 2019 at the age of 16 years-old, agreeing to a two-year deal, with the option for an additional season.[2]

Rijks made his debut in the Eerste Divisie for Jong FC Utrecht in the 2020–21 season as a second half substitute in an 1-0 defeat against MVV Maastricht on 5 March 2021. [3] Rijks scored his first goal in the Eerste Divisie against FC Eindhoven on the 12 May 2021, getting the first for his side in a 2-2 away draw.[4] After finding the net again at the start of the 2021-22 season, Rijks signed a new professional contract with Utrecht at the age of 18 years-old in September 2021, extending his contract until 2023.[5]

On 13 March 2022, Rijks made his Eredivisie debut for the Senior FC Utrecht side, appearing as an 82nd minute substitute in a 1-0 home defeat against PSV Eindhoven.[6]

On 12 February 2024, Rijks signed a three-year contract with Vålerenga in Norway.[7] He scored his first league goal for the club in April 2024 against Stabaek in a 3–1 defeat for his side.[8] Following their promotion to the Eliteserien, he made his debut in that division for Vālarenga in a 3-1 win over Viking FK on 30 March 2025. [9]

International career

Rijks played for Netherlands U19 in the 2022 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualification matches.[10]

References

  1. ^ "Mees Rijks". Soccerway. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  2. ^ "Rijks signs first professional contract". fcutrecht.nl. 5 June 2019. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  3. ^ "UTRECHT II VS. MVV 0 - 1". Soccerway. 5 March 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  4. ^ "Eindhoven vs. Utrecht II". Soccerway. 12 May 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  5. ^ "talentvolle spits Mees Rijks nu tot 2023 bilj fc Utrecht". rtvutrecht.nl. 10 September 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  6. ^ "Utrecht vs. PSV". Soccerway. 13 March 2022. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  7. ^ "MEES RIJKS ER KONGEBLÅ!" [MEES RIJKS IS ROYAL BLUE!] (in Norwegian). Vålerenga. 12 February 2024. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  8. ^ "Defensive collapse gave Vålerenga a real slap in the face: – Damn sad for the fans!". Vartoslo.no. 14 April 2024. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  9. ^ "VALERENGA VS. VIKING 3 - 1". Soccerway. 30 March 2025. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  10. ^ "rijks fc utrecht beleeft met oranje onder-19 bizar kwalificatieduel". rtvutrecht.nl. Retrieved 29 April 2025.