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

Mees Rijks
Personal information
Date of birth (2003-03-08) 8 March 2003 (age 21)
Place of birth Amstelveen, Netherlands
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s) Striker
Team information
Current team
Vålerenga
Number 9
Youth career
0000–2014 FC Abcoude
2014–2015 AFC
2015–2021 FC Utrecht
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021–2024 Jong FC Utrecht 92 (20)
2022 FC Utrecht 1 (0)
2024– Vålerenga 21 (11)
International career
2019 Netherlands U17 2 (0)
2021–2022 Netherlands U19 7 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 25 September 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 7 June 2022

Club career

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Rijks made his debut in the Eerste Divisie for Jong FC Utrecht in the 2020-21 season against MVV Maastricht. Rijks scored his first goal in the Eerste Divisie against FC Eindhoven on the 12 May 2021.[2] Rijks signed a new professional contract with Utrecht in September 2021 extending his contract until 2023.[3]

On 13 March 2022, Rijks made his Eredivisie debut FC Utrecht appearing as an 82nd minute substitution against PSV Eindhoven.[4]

On 12 February 2024, Rijks signed a three-year contract with Vålerenga in Norway.[5] He scored his first league goal for the club in 15 April 2024 against Stabaek in a 3-1 defeat for his side.[6]

International career

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Rijks played for Netherlands U19 in the 2022 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualification matches.[7]

References

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  1. ^ Mees Rijks at Soccerway
  2. ^ "Eindhoven vs. Utrecht II - 12 May 2021 - Soccerway".
  3. ^ "talentvolle spits Mees Rijks nu tot 2023 bilj fc Utrecht -rtvutrecht.nl".
  4. ^ "Utrecht vs. PSV - 13 March 2022 - Soccerway".
  5. ^ "MEES RIJKS ER KONGEBLÅ!" [MEES RIJKS IS ROYAL BLUE!] (in Norwegian). Vålerenga. 12 February 2024. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  6. ^ "Strikes back after fadese: - I don't care". Nettavisen~accessdate=19 May 2024.
  7. ^ "rijks fc utrecht beleeft met oranje onder-19 bizar kwalificatieduel". rtvutrecht.nl.