Erik Pieters

Erik Pieters
Pieters with PSV Eindhoven in 2011
Personal information
Full name Erik Pieters[1]
Date of birth (1988-08-07) 7 August 1988 (age 36)
Place of birth Tiel, Netherlands
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[2]
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 Luton Town
Number 21
Youth career
2000–2004 VV Rhelico
2004–2006 Utrecht
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2008 Utrecht 51 (2)
2008–2013 PSV Eindhoven 93 (0)
2013–2019 Stoke City 190 (3)
2019 → Amiens (loan) 15 (1)
2019–2022 Burnley 56 (0)
2022–2024 West Bromwich Albion 58 (0)
2024– Luton Town 0 (0)
International career
2004–2006 Netherlands U17 5 (0)
2006–2007 Netherlands U19 3 (0)
2007–2010 Netherlands U21 19 (1)
2010–2014 Netherlands 18 (0)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Netherlands
UEFA European Under-21 Championship
Winner 2007 Netherlands
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 15:01, 19 December 2024 (UTC)

Erik Pieters (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈeːrɪk ˈpitərs]; born 7 August 1988) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a left back and centre back for EFL Championship club Luton Town.

Pieters began his career with Utrecht and made his professional debut in August 2006. He impressed enough at the Stadion Galgenwaard to earn a move to PSV Eindhoven in July 2008 for €2.5 million. At PSV he won the Johan Cruijff Shield in 2008 and the KNVB Beker in 2011–12 and also became a regular member of the Dutch national team. Injuries hampered his progress in 2012–13 before he moved to English side Stoke City in June 2013 for €3.6 million. Pieters spent six years with the Potters making 206 appearances before joining Burnley in July 2019. He signed for EFL Championship club West Bromwich Albion in September 2022 for a further two seasons.

Career

[edit]

Early career

[edit]

Born in Tiel, Pieters grew up in Enspijk and started as a central midfielder in the juvenile ranks of VV Rhelico in Rumpt.[3] There he was scouted by FC Utrecht and, after a trial period, he joined the Utrecht youth academy.[3]

Utrecht

[edit]

Pieters made his Eredivisie debut for Utrecht in a 2–1 defeat against Willem II and went on to make 29 appearances in his maiden season as Utrecht finished the 2006–07 season in 9th position and they went on to win in the Intertoto Cup playoffs.[3] In the 2007–08 season, Pieters made his European debut in July in the Intertoto Cup.[3] He made 35 appearances and scored twice against Willem II and FC Groningen as Utrecht finished in 10th position. His solid performances attracted the interest of PSV Eindhoven.[4]

PSV Eindhoven

[edit]

On 9 July 2008, it was confirmed that Eredivisie champions PSV Eindhoven had signed the left back for reportedly €2.5 million.[5] Pieters was given the number 14 shirt, which was previously worn by Slobodan Rajković.[6][7] He made his PSV debut in the league against his former club in a 5–1 win. His UEFA Champions League debut came in September against Atlético Madrid. After a bright start to his PSV career, he was benched after some indifferent performances. In 2008–09 Pieters played 23 times for PSV as they finished in 4th position, winning the 2008 Johan Cruijff Schaal by beating Feyenoord 2–0.

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.[8] The 2009–10 campaign saw PSV finish in 3rd position and reach the round of 32 in the UEFA Europa League. Pieters played 48 times in 2010–11 as PSV came close to reclaiming the Dutch title, finishing third four points off champions Ajax and he also helped PSV beat Feynoord 10–0.[9] The 2011–12 season saw Pieters struggle with a fractured metatarsal and played 25 times before deciding to undergo foot surgery.[10]

He made his return from injury in a league match against PEC Zwolle on 18 January 2013 after a nine-month layoff, and with PSV losing 3–1 Pieters was sent-off for a foul on Fred Benson. Such was Pieters' anger that he ran down the players entrance and punched a window, badly cutting his arm and was ruled out for a further three months.[11] He returned in the top-of the table clash with Ajax towards the end of the 2012–13 season, replacing Jetro Willems after 73 minutes. A mix up with Pieters and PSV goalkeeper Boy Waterman allowed Derk Boerrigter to scoring the winning goal and Ajax went on to win the Eredivise.[12]

Stoke City

[edit]

Pieters signed for English club Stoke City on 28 June 2013 on a four-year contract for a fee of €3.6 million (£3 million).[13][14] After agreeing to join Stoke, Pieters revealed that his main ambition was to play in England. – "Of course, I've always wanted to play in the Premier League. It's one of the hardest competitions to play in with some great players and teams and I'm really excited about it. I'm really looking forward to playing for this Club. It's important for me that the first impression is good and I've got a great feeling about Stoke City."[15] He made his debut for Stoke on 17 August 2013 in a 1–0 defeat against Liverpool.[16][17] Pieters scored his first goal for Stoke on 12 April 2014 in a 1–0 win over Newcastle United after his intended cross beat Tim Krul.[18][19] Pieters played 39 times for Stoke in 2013–14 as they finished in ninth position in the Premier League.[20]

Pieters retained his place at left-back under Mark Hughes in 2014–15, playing in 32 matches as Stoke finished in ninth position.[21] Stoke suffered a number of defensive injuries during the season with Pieters suffering from a groin injury.[22] Stoke ended the campaign with a 6–1 victory against Liverpool.[23] Pieters signed a contract extension in December 2015, keeping him contracted at the club until 2020.[24] Pieters played 41 times for Stoke in 2015–16 as the Potters again finished ninth.[25] At the end of the season Opta Sports revealed that Pieters made more tackles than any other defender in the Premier League during the campaign.[26]

Pieters again remained Hughes' first choice left back in 2016–17, making 38 appearances as Stoke finished in 13th position.[27][28] Pieters was criticised at times during the campaign by supporters due to some poor performances and assistant manager Mark Bowen admitted that Pieters "has come off his standards".[29][30] Pieters was fined £70,000 by manager Paul Lambert in March 2018 after attending a late night party just hours before a league fixture against Everton.[31] Pieters played 32 times in 2017–18 as Stoke suffered relegation to the EFL Championship.[32] Pieters began the 2018–19 season with two rare goals against Preston North End and West Bromwich Albion.[33]

On 31 January 2019 Pieters joined French club Amiens on loan for the remainder of the 2018–19 season.[34] Pieters played 15 times for Amiens helping them avoid relegation.[35]

Burnley

[edit]

On 8 July 2019, Pieters signed for Burnley for an undisclosed fee.[36] On 10 June 2022, Burnley announced Pieters would leave the club at the end of June when his contract expired.[37]

West Bromwich Albion

[edit]

On 13 September 2022, Pieters joined EFL Championship club West Bromwich Albion on a free transfer, signing a deal until the end of the season. [38] He made his Albion debut the following day, coming on as a substitute in a home defeat to Birmingham City.[39] On 22 May 2024, the club announced he would be leaving in the summer when his contract expired.[40]

Luton Town

[edit]

On 19 December 2024, Pieters joined Championship side Luton Town on a short-term deal.[41]

International career

[edit]
Pieters in action for the Netherlands national team

Pieters played five matches for the Netherlands at the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship where they reached the semi-finals.[42][43] In 2007 Pieters was called up by Netherlands U-21 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. On 7 May 2012, Pieters was named in the provisional list of 36 players for the Euro 2012 tournament, but he did not recover in time for the competition due to a foot injury. PSV team member Jetro Willems replaced him in the Euro 2012 squad.

Style of play

[edit]

Pieters' natural position is at left back and describes himself as an attacking fullback and is also capable of playing as a centre back if required.[15] "My first job is to defend but I always want to attack and contribute as much as I can for the team. I've played a couple of times in the centre of defence as well but left back is my position."[15]

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
As of match played on 16 March 2024[44]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup[a] League Cup[b] Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Utrecht 2006–07[45] Eredivisie 20 0 3 0 — — 6[c] 0 29 0
2007–08[46] Eredivisie 31 2 1 0 — 1[d] 0 2[c] 0 35 2
Total 51 2 4 0 — 1 0 8 0 64 2
PSV Eindhoven 2008–09[47] Eredivisie 17 0 2 0 — 3[e] 0 1[f] 0 23 0
2009–10[48] Eredivisie 27 0 4 0 — 11[g] 0 — 42 0
2010–11[49] Eredivisie 31 0 4 0 — 13[g] 0 — 48 0
2011–12[50] Eredivisie 16 0 2 0 — 7[g] 0 — 25 0
2012–13[51] Eredivisie 2 0 0 0 — 0 0 — 2 0
Total 93 0 12 0 — 34 0 1 0 140 0
Stoke City 2013–14[20] Premier League 36 1 2 0 1 0 — — 39 1
2014–15[21] Premier League 31 0 0 0 1 0 — — 32 0
2015–16[25] Premier League 35 0 1 0 5 0 — — 41 0
2016–17[27] Premier League 36 0 1 0 2 0 — — 39 0
2017–18[32] Premier League 31 0 0 0 1 0 — — 32 0
2018–19[52] Championship 21 2 1 0 1 0 — — 23 2
Total 190 3 5 0 11 0 — — 206 3
Amiens (loan) 2018–19[52] Ligue 1 15 1 — — — — 15 1
Burnley 2019–20[53] Premier League 24 0 2 2 0 0 — — 26 2
2020–21[54] Premier League 20 0 2 0 3 0 — — 25 0
2021–22[55] Premier League 12 0 0 0 3 0 — — 15 0
Total 56 0 4 2 6 0 — — 66 2
West Bromwich Albion 2022–23[56] Championship 36 0 0 0 0 0 — — 36 0
2023–24[57] Championship 22 0 2 0 1 0 — — 25 0
Total 58 0 2 0 1 0 — — 61 0
Career total 463 6 27 2 18 0 35 0 9 0 552 8
  1. ^ Includes KNVB Cup and FA Cup
  2. ^ Includes EFL Cup
  3. ^ a b Appearances in Eredivisie European playoffs
  4. ^ Appearance in UEFA Intertoto Cup
  5. ^ Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  6. ^ Appearance in 2008 Johan Cruyff Shield
  7. ^ a b c Appearances in UEFA Europa League

International

[edit]
As of match played 4 September 2014[58]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Netherlands
2010 5 0
2011 9 0
2012 1 0
2013 2 0
2014 1 0
Total 18 0

Honours

[edit]

PSV Eindhoven

Netherlands

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Premier League clubs publish 2019/20 retained lists". Premier League. 26 June 2020. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  2. ^ "Erik Pieters". Premier League. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
  3. ^ a b c d "Pieters in Profile". Stoke City F.C. Retrieved 29 June 2013.
  4. ^ "Pieters voor vier jaar naar PSV - RTV Utrecht". rtvutrecht.nl.
  5. ^ "Pieters akkoord met PSV". De Telegraaf (in Dutch). 10 July 2008.
  6. ^ "Cookies op VI.nl". vi.nl.
  7. ^ "Cookies op VI.nl". vi.nl.
  8. ^ "Knieblessure PSV'er Pieters valt mee". De Pers (in Dutch). 4 March 2010. Archived from the original on 7 March 2010.
  9. ^ "PSV hammer 10 goals past sorry Feyenoord". BBC Sport. 24 October 2010. Retrieved 29 June 2013.
  10. ^ "Erik Pieters to undergo foot surgery". PSV.nl. Archived from the original on 19 May 2013. Retrieved 29 June 2013.
  11. ^ "PSV Eindhoven's defender Erik Pieters injured after smashing window". NDTV. 20 January 2013. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  12. ^ "PSV 2–3 Ajax: Eriksen's influence helps Ajax attack down the wings". Zonal marking. Archived from the original on 5 July 2013. Retrieved 29 June 2013.
  13. ^ "Pieters A Potter". Stoke City F.C. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
  14. ^ "Stoke City sign Erik Pieters from PSV Eindhoven for £3m". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
  15. ^ a b c "Erik's English Adventure". Stoke City F.C. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
  16. ^ "Liverpool 1–0 Stoke". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
  17. ^ "Stoke City: We could have got a point – Erik Pieters". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
  18. ^ "Stoke 1–0 Newcastle". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 April 2014.
  19. ^ "Erik Pieters relishing first goal against his best friend in football, Tim Krul". Stoke Sentinel. Archived from the original on 27 May 2014. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
  20. ^ a b "Games played by Erik Pieters in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
  21. ^ a b "Games played by Erik Pieters in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
  22. ^ "Erik Pieters hails job well done in season full of injuries". Stoke Sentinel. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  23. ^ "Stoke 6–1 Liverpool". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
  24. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: ERIK IS IN FOR THE LONG HAUL". Stoke City. Retrieved 26 December 2015.
  25. ^ a b "Games played by Erik Pieters in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
  26. ^ "Erik Pieters made more tackles in 2015/16 than any other Premier League defender". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 19 May 2016.[permanent dead link‍]
  27. ^ a b "Games played by Erik Pieters in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
  28. ^ "Stoke 2016/17 Premier League season review". Sky Sports. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  29. ^ "Stoke v West Ham TEAM NEWS: 'Ultra-consistent Erik Pieters has come off his standards'". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 23 May 2017.[permanent dead link‍]
  30. ^ "Stoke City Extra Time: Time to give Pieters a break?". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 23 May 2017.[permanent dead link‍]
  31. ^ "Stoke fine Erik Pieters £70,000 for attending nightclub on eve of crucial Everton match". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  32. ^ a b "Games played by Erik Pieters in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 September 2017.
  33. ^ "Erik Pieters: My crossing is **** but I've found out I can shoot!". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  34. ^ "PIETERS HEADS TO FRANCE". Stoke City. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
  35. ^ "Pitch invasion as Erik Pieters signs off from loan spell with massive win". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 25 May 2019.
  36. ^ "Dutch defender moves to Turf Moor". Stoke City. Retrieved 8 July 2019.
  37. ^ InCrowd. "BURNLEY FC RETAINED LIST CONFIRMED". Burnley Football Club. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
  38. ^ "Albion Sign Dutch Defender Erik Pieters". West Bromwich Albion. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
  39. ^ "Hogan hat-trick fires Blues past West Brom". BBC Sport.
  40. ^ "West Bromwich Albion: Matt Phillips among seven to leave Baggies". BBC Sport. 22 May 2024. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  41. ^ "Pieters signs short-term deal". www.lutontown.co.uk. 19 December 2024. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
  42. ^ Vickery, Tim (24 September 2005). "Dutch end Gambia's dream in Peru". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
  43. ^ "Erik Pieters". FIFA. Archived from the original on 20 June 2008. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
  44. ^ Erik Pieters at Soccerway
  45. ^ "Pieters 2006/07". VI.nl. Retrieved 30 June 2013.
  46. ^ "Pieters 2007/08". VI.nl. Retrieved 30 June 2013.
  47. ^ "Pieters 2008/09". VI.nl. Retrieved 30 June 2013.
  48. ^ "Pieters 2009/10". VI.nl. Retrieved 30 June 2013.
  49. ^ "Pieters 2010/11". VI.nl. Retrieved 30 June 2013.
  50. ^ "Pieters 2011/12". VI.nl. Retrieved 30 June 2013.
  51. ^ "Pieters 2012/13". VI.nl. Retrieved 30 June 2013.
  52. ^ a b "Games played by Erik Pieters in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  53. ^ "Games played by Erik Pieters in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  54. ^ "Games played by Erik Pieters in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  55. ^ "Games played by Erik Pieters in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  56. ^ "Games played by Erik Pieters in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  57. ^ "Games played by Erik Pieters in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  58. ^ "Pieters, Erik". National-Football-Teams. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
  59. ^ "Netherlands 4–1 Serbia". UEFA. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
  60. ^ "FIFA U-17 World Championship Peru 2005 – Netherlands 2:1 (1:0) Turkey". FIFA. 2 October 2005. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
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