Maikel Kieftenbeld
Encyclopedia
Maikel Kieftenbeld is a Dutch
footballer who currently plays as a defender
for Dutch Eredivisie
club FC Groningen.
A product of Twente's youth department, he initially left the club for Go Ahead Eagles
, before returning to the Eredivisie
by signing with Groningen in 2010.
's scouts, who signed him to their youth department in 2003. However, he never broke through to the first team and was picked up by Deventer
club Go Ahead Eagles
in 2007. In 2008, he signed a professional contract with Go Ahead for three seasons, with an option for an extra year.
Kieftenbeld made his professional debut in the season opener of the 2008–09 Eerste Divisie, in a 5–0 defeat to VVV-Venlo. He came in as a half-time substitute for Ceriel Oosthout
. He already became a first team regular in his first season in professional football, and ended up making 30 league appearances that season. Kieftenbeld's first goal for Go Ahead Eagles came in the club's 2–1 Eerste Divisie win over BV Veendam
on 24 April 2009.
On 17 June 2010, Kieftenbeld signed a four-year contract with Groningen. Groningen paid a €300,000 fee for the player.
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 as a defender
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....
for Dutch Eredivisie
Eredivisie
The Eredivisie is the highest football league in the Netherlands. The league was founded in 1956 two years after the start of professional football in the Netherlands. It is currently ranked the ninth best league in Europe by UEFA....
club FC Groningen.
A product of Twente's youth department, he initially left the club for Go Ahead Eagles
Go Ahead Eagles
The Go Ahead Eagles are a football club from Deventer, Netherlands, currently playing in the Eerste Divisie. The club's home stadium is De Adelaarshorst. To date, the club has won the national championship four times...
, before returning to the Eredivisie
Eredivisie
The Eredivisie is the highest football league in the Netherlands. The league was founded in 1956 two years after the start of professional football in the Netherlands. It is currently ranked the ninth best league in Europe by UEFA....
by signing with Groningen in 2010.
Career
Kieftenbeld began his career as a youth player at amateur side V.V. Lemelerveld. He was later discovered by FC TwenteFC Twente
FC Twente is a Dutch professional football club from the city of Enschede, playing in the Eredivisie. The club was formed in 1965 by the merger of 1926 Eredivisie Champions, Sportclub Enschede and Enschedese Boys...
's scouts, who signed him to their youth department in 2003. However, he never broke through to the first team and was picked up by Deventer
Deventer
Deventer is a municipality and city in the Salland region of the Dutch province of Overijssel. Deventer is largely situated on the east bank of the river IJssel, but also has a small part of its territory on the west bank. In 2005 the municipality of Bathmen Deventer is a municipality and city in...
club Go Ahead Eagles
Go Ahead Eagles
The Go Ahead Eagles are a football club from Deventer, Netherlands, currently playing in the Eerste Divisie. The club's home stadium is De Adelaarshorst. To date, the club has won the national championship four times...
in 2007. In 2008, he signed a professional contract with Go Ahead for three seasons, with an option for an extra year.
Kieftenbeld made his professional debut in the season opener of the 2008–09 Eerste Divisie, in a 5–0 defeat to VVV-Venlo. He came in as a half-time substitute for Ceriel Oosthout
Ceriel Oosthout
Ceriel Oosthout is a Dutch footballer who currently plays for FC Hilversum in the Dutch third division.-Club career:...
. He already became a first team regular in his first season in professional football, and ended up making 30 league appearances that season. Kieftenbeld's first goal for Go Ahead Eagles came in the club's 2–1 Eerste Divisie win over BV Veendam
BV Veendam
SC Veendam is a Dutch football club based in Veendam, Groningen province, playing in the Eerste Divisie, the second tier of football in the Netherlands. The club's official colours are black and yellow.- History :...
on 24 April 2009.
On 17 June 2010, Kieftenbeld signed a four-year contract with Groningen. Groningen paid a €300,000 fee for the player.