Erik Pieters
Encyclopedia
Erik Pieters (ˈeː.rɪk ˈpi.tərs) (born 7 August 1988) is a Dutch
footballer who currently plays for PSV Eindhoven and the Dutch national team
as a left back
. He made his professional debut for FC Utrecht before moving to PSV after two seasons in the first team.
, Pieters grew up in Enspijk
and started as a central midfielder in the juvenile ranks of VV Rhelico in Rumpt. There he was scouted by FC Utrecht and, after a trial period, he joined the Utrecht youth academy.
, Pieters made his European debut in July in the Intertoto Cup
. He became one of the stars in the side despite Utrecht's indifferent season. His solid performances attracted the interest of PSV Eindhoven.
. He made his PSV debut in the league against his former club in a 5–1 win. His Champions League debut came in September against Atlético Madrid. After a bright start to his PSV career, he was benched after some indifferent performances.
The following season, Pieters regained his place in the starting eleven and played his part as PSV went on an unbeaten run for the last two months leading up to the winter break. His season was interrupted by a knee injury sustained while on international duty and he returned to within two weeks. He made his comeback in the match against big rivals Ajax but had to replaced at half-time after aggravating the injury.
coach Foppe de Haan
to be part of his squad for the 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
held in the Netherlands. Pieters did not play in their first round group match against Israel
(1–0 win), but did come on as a substitute in the second match against Portugal
(2–1 win) to secure a semi final spot and to qualify for the 2008 Summer Olympics
. In the semi finals against England
(1–1, 13–12 after 32 penalty kicks) Pieters played in the starting eleven, but was later substituted by Tim Janssen
to improve the attack as well as due to a small injury. Pieters returned on the pitch and the Dutch went on to retain their 2006 title by beating Serbia
4–1 in the final.
Ever since the retirement of Giovanni van Bronckhorst
Pieters has been the first-choice leftback of the Netherlands national football team
.
Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
footballer who currently plays for PSV Eindhoven and the Dutch national team
Netherlands national football team
The Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...
as a left back
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
. He made his professional debut for FC Utrecht before moving to PSV after two seasons in the first team.
Youth
Born in the hospital in TielTiel
' is a municipality and a town in the middle of the Netherlands.The town is enclosed by the Waal river and the Linge river on the south and the north side, and the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal on the east side. The city was founded in the 5th century AD....
, Pieters grew up in Enspijk
Enspijk
Enspijk is a town in the Dutch province of Gelderland. It is a part of the municipality of Geldermalsen, and lies about 14 km west of Tiel.In 2001, the town of Enspijk had 320 inhabitants...
and started as a central midfielder in the juvenile ranks of VV Rhelico in Rumpt. There he was scouted by FC Utrecht and, after a trial period, he joined the Utrecht youth academy.
FC Utrecht
In the 2007–08 seasonEredivisie 2007-08
The 2007–08 Eredivisie was the 52nd season of the Eredivisie, the top division of association football in the Netherlands. The season began in August 2007 and ended on 18 May 2008, with defending champions PSV retaining their title with 72 points....
, Pieters made his European debut in July in the Intertoto Cup
UEFA Intertoto Cup
The UEFA Intertoto Cup, also abbreviated as UI Cup and originally called the International Football Cup, was a summer football competition for European clubs that had not qualified for one of the two major UEFA competitions, the Champions League and the UEFA Cup. The competition was discontinued...
. He became one of the stars in the side despite Utrecht's indifferent season. His solid performances attracted the interest of PSV Eindhoven.
PSV
On 9 July 2008, it was confirmed that Eredivisie champions PSV had signed the left back for reportedly €2.5 million. Pieters was given the number 14 shirt, which was previously worn by Chelsea FC-loanee Slobodan RajkovićSlobodan Rajkovic
Slobodan Rajković is a Serbian footballer who plays as a Centre back for Hamburger SV.-Club career:...
. He made his PSV debut in the league against his former club in a 5–1 win. His Champions League debut came in September against Atlético Madrid. After a bright start to his PSV career, he was benched after some indifferent performances.
The following season, Pieters regained his place in the starting eleven and played his part as PSV went on an unbeaten run for the last two months leading up to the winter break. His season was interrupted by a knee injury sustained while on international duty and he returned to within two weeks. He made his comeback in the match against big rivals Ajax but had to replaced at half-time after aggravating the injury.
International career
In 2007 Pieters was called up by Jong OranjeNetherlands national under-21 football team
The Netherlands national under-21 football team is the national under-21 team of the Netherlands and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association. The team competes in the European Under-21 Championship, held every two years....
coach Foppe de Haan
Foppe de Haan
Foppe de Haan OON is a Dutch football coach. He is known for his long association with Frisian club SC Heerenveen. De Haan is currently manager of the Tuvalu national football team.-Career:...
to be part of his squad for the 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
2007 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
The UEFA U-21 Championship 2007 were held from 10 June 2007 to 23 June 2007. It is the 16th staging of UEFA's European Under-21 Football Championship....
held in the Netherlands. Pieters did not play in their first round group match against Israel
Israel national under-21 football team
Israel's national Under-21 team , also known as Israel Under-21s or Israel U-21s, is considered to be the feeder team for the Israel national football team...
(1–0 win), but did come on as a substitute in the second match against Portugal
Portugal national under-21 football team
The Portugal national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Portugal and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation . They are nicknamed "Esperanças." Esperança means hope, thus they are Portugal's hopes for the future...
(2–1 win) to secure a semi final spot and to qualify for the 2008 Summer Olympics
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
. In the semi finals against England
England national under-21 football team
England's national Under-21 football team, also known as England Under-21s or England U21, is considered to be the feeder team for the England national football team....
(1–1, 13–12 after 32 penalty kicks) Pieters played in the starting eleven, but was later substituted by Tim Janssen
Tim Janssen
Tim Wilhelmus Janssen is a Dutch footballer who currently plays as a striker for FC Midtjylland in the Danish Superliga.He made his debut in the professional football squad of FC Zwolle in the 2004–05 season...
to improve the attack as well as due to a small injury. Pieters returned on the pitch and the Dutch went on to retain their 2006 title by beating Serbia
Serbia national under-21 football team
The Serbia national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Serbia and is controlled by the Football Association of Serbia....
4–1 in the final.
Ever since the retirement of Giovanni van Bronckhorst
Giovanni van Bronckhorst
Giovanni Christiaan van Bronckhorst OON , known as Gio in Spain, is a retired Dutch footballer of Moluccan descent who served as the captain of the Dutch national team from August 2008 until his retirement....
Pieters has been the first-choice leftback of the Netherlands national football team
Netherlands national football team
The Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...
.
Honours
PSV Eindhoven- Johan Cruijff Schaal: 2008Johan Cruijff-schaal XIIIThe match for Johan Cruijff-schaal XIII was held on 23 August 2008 in the Amsterdam ArenA. The match featured the Eredivisie 2007-08 champions PSV and KNVB Cup 2007-08 winners Feyenoord. The match started off the 2008-09 season in Dutch football....
Netherlands
- UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship: 20072007 UEFA European Under-21 Football ChampionshipThe UEFA U-21 Championship 2007 were held from 10 June 2007 to 23 June 2007. It is the 16th staging of UEFA's European Under-21 Football Championship....