Niek Loohuis
Encyclopedia
Niek Loohuis is a Dutch
footballer who currently plays as a midfielder
for the BV Veendam
in the Dutch second division
.
's youth academy. The talent was declared unfit, for he did not meet the physical demands. Loohuis experienced growth problems and Twente had no other choice but to let him go. He went to amateur club Quick '20 in Oldenzaal where he played until the age of 18.
In Oldenzaal the youngster could play freely. Quick'20 played at the highest level of amateur football in the Netherlands at the time. Loohuis reckoned it was a good step in pursuing his dream of becoming a professional footballer. He got what he wanted. In 2005 two first division
clubs showed interest: FC Emmen
and BV Veendam
. He chose the latter, where he played on amateur basis. A year and a half later he played 52 games for Veendam and scored four goals.
and FC Twente
showed interest in the talented midfielder. His sports agent
Henk Nienhuis confirmed there were several scouts following him. Heerenveen immediately invited him to visit a match in the Abe Lenstra Stadium
. He did not need much time to make his decision, and choose for Heerenveen.
Gertjan Verbeek
said Loohuis had made a lot of progress in one year. "Niek is a defensive midfielder that can also be used a centre-back. He is dynamical, has good stamina
and has a "good head".
The twenty-year-old signed a three-year contract during the 2006/2007 winter transfer window
with an option for another two years. The contract took effect in half a year later, meaning Loohuis could finish his season at the De Langeleegte
, Veendam's home base.
. Both men are hard-working players on the midfield (and occasionally in the defense), are good at passing the ball and will do anything not to lose. The young man himself hopes to improve his physical strength, his duel power and his agility
.
Manager
Gertjan Verbeek is known for his emphasis on physical power, exactly the point Loohuis wants to improve himself. He hopes to learn from Heerenveen's experienced players. Paul Bosvelt
, now retired, is his idol
.
Source: Updated: 21:14, 14 November 2007 (UTC)
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 midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
for the 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 :...
in the Dutch second division
Eerste Divisie
The Eerste Divisie is the second-highest division of football in the Netherlands. It is linked with the top-level Eredivisie via a promotion/relegation system. It is also known as the Jupiler League due to sponsorship, which is the same name as the top league in Belgium...
.
Career
Loohuis used to be a part of 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 youth academy. The talent was declared unfit, for he did not meet the physical demands. Loohuis experienced growth problems and Twente had no other choice but to let him go. He went to amateur club Quick '20 in Oldenzaal where he played until the age of 18.
In Oldenzaal the youngster could play freely. Quick'20 played at the highest level of amateur football in the Netherlands at the time. Loohuis reckoned it was a good step in pursuing his dream of becoming a professional footballer. He got what he wanted. In 2005 two first division
Eerste Divisie
The Eerste Divisie is the second-highest division of football in the Netherlands. It is linked with the top-level Eredivisie via a promotion/relegation system. It is also known as the Jupiler League due to sponsorship, which is the same name as the top league in Belgium...
clubs showed interest: FC Emmen
FC Emmen
FC Emmen is a Dutch football club based in Emmen, Drenthe, and currently playing in the Eerste Divisie, the second tier of football in the Netherlands.-History:...
and 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 :...
. He chose the latter, where he played on amateur basis. A year and a half later he played 52 games for Veendam and scored four goals.
SC Heerenveen
His good performances did not go by unnoticed. Apart from Heerenveen, N.E.C., FC Groningen, Heracles AlmeloHeracles Almelo
Heracles Almelo is a football club from Almelo, Netherlands.Heracles Almelo were founded on May 3, 1903 as Heracles, after the demigod son of Zeus. They changed their name on July 1, 1974 to SC Heracles '74 and finally settled on the current name in 1998. The club has won the Dutch national title...
and FC Twente
FC 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...
showed interest in the talented midfielder. His sports agent
Sports agent
A sports agent procures and negotiates employment and endorsement contracts for an athlete.In return, the sports agent generally receives between 4 and 10% of the athlete's playing contract, and 10 to 20% of the athlete's endorsement contract, though these figures vary...
Henk Nienhuis confirmed there were several scouts following him. Heerenveen immediately invited him to visit a match in the Abe Lenstra Stadium
Abe Lenstra Stadion
Abe Lenstra Stadion is a football stadium in Heerenveen, Netherlands. It is currently used mostly for the home matches of Eredivisie club Heerenveen.The current capacity is 26,000.-The name Abe Lenstra Stadion:...
. He did not need much time to make his decision, and choose for Heerenveen.
Gertjan Verbeek
Gertjan Verbeek
Gertjan Verbeek is a former footballer and current manager of AZ.-Coaching career:After retiring from his playing career in 1994, Verbeek stayed with SC Heerenveen as an assistant-coach. He left for Heracles Almelo in 2001, and after a successful stint there was hired as the successor to Foppe de...
said Loohuis had made a lot of progress in one year. "Niek is a defensive midfielder that can also be used a centre-back. He is dynamical, has good stamina
Endurance
Endurance is the ability for a human or animal to exert itself and remain active for a long period of time, as well as its ability to resist, withstand, recover from, and have immunity to trauma, wounds, or fatigue. In humans, it is usually used in aerobic or anaerobic exercise...
and has a "good head".
The twenty-year-old signed a three-year contract during the 2006/2007 winter transfer window
Transfer window
The transfer window is the period during the year in which a football club can transfer players from other countries into their playing staff. Such a transfer is completed by registering the player into the new club through FIFA...
with an option for another two years. The contract took effect in half a year later, meaning Loohuis could finish his season at the De Langeleegte
De Langeleegte
De Langeleegte is a multi-use stadium in Veendam, Netherlands. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home stadium of BV Veendam. The stadium is able to hold 6,500 people and was built in 1954, with major renovations taking place in 1998....
, Veendam's home base.
Style
Loohuis is often compared to Paul BosveltPaul Bosvelt
Paul Bosvelt is a retired Dutch footballer. He played for Go Ahead Eagles and Twente before making his big move to Feyenoord in 1997.-Club career:...
. Both men are hard-working players on the midfield (and occasionally in the defense), are good at passing the ball and will do anything not to lose. The young man himself hopes to improve his physical strength, his duel power and his agility
Sport agility
Agility or nimbleness is the ability to change the body's position efficiently, and requires the integration of isolated movement skills using a combination of balance, coordination, speed, reflexes, strength, endurance and stamina....
.
Manager
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
Gertjan Verbeek is known for his emphasis on physical power, exactly the point Loohuis wants to improve himself. He hopes to learn from Heerenveen's experienced players. Paul Bosvelt
Paul Bosvelt
Paul Bosvelt is a retired Dutch footballer. He played for Go Ahead Eagles and Twente before making his big move to Feyenoord in 1997.-Club career:...
, now retired, is his idol
Teen idol
A teen idol is a celebrity who is widely idolized by teenagers; he or she is often young but not necessarily teenaged. Often teen idols are actors or pop singers, but some sports figures have an appeal to teenagers. Some teen idols began their careers as child actors...
.
Career statistics
| Start | End | Club | Matches | Goals | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 2006 | 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 :... |
19 | 0 |  Eerste DivisieEerste Divisie The Eerste Divisie is the second-highest division of football in the Netherlands. It is linked with the top-level Eredivisie via a promotion/relegation system. It is also known as the Jupiler League due to sponsorship, which is the same name as the top league in Belgium... |
| 2006 | 2007 | 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 :... |
33 | 4 | Eerste Divisie Eerste Divisie The Eerste Divisie is the second-highest division of football in the Netherlands. It is linked with the top-level Eredivisie via a promotion/relegation system. It is also known as the Jupiler League due to sponsorship, which is the same name as the top league in Belgium... |
| 2007 | 2008 | SC Heerenveen | 0 | 0 | Eerste Divisie Eerste Divisie The Eerste Divisie is the second-highest division of football in the Netherlands. It is linked with the top-level Eredivisie via a promotion/relegation system. It is also known as the Jupiler League due to sponsorship, which is the same name as the top league in Belgium... |
| Totals | |||||
| 2005 | 2007 | 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 :... |
52 | 4 | Eerste Divisie Eerste Divisie The Eerste Divisie is the second-highest division of football in the Netherlands. It is linked with the top-level Eredivisie via a promotion/relegation system. It is also known as the Jupiler League due to sponsorship, which is the same name as the top league in Belgium... |
| 2007 | 2007 | sc Heerenveen | 0 | 0 | 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.... |
| 2005 | 2007 | 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 :... SC Heerenveen |
52 | 4 | Eerste Divisie Eerste Divisie The Eerste Divisie is the second-highest division of football in the Netherlands. It is linked with the top-level Eredivisie via a promotion/relegation system. It is also known as the Jupiler League due to sponsorship, which is the same name as the top league in Belgium... EredivisieEredivisie 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.... |
Source: Updated: 21:14, 14 November 2007 (UTC)