Vincent Janssen
Here is a detailed profile of Vincent Janssen:
Vincent Janssen – Life, Career & Highlights
Early Life & Background
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Full name: Vincent Petrus Anna Sebastiaan Janssen
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Date of birth: June 15, 1994
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Place of birth: Heesch, Netherlands
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He developed through youth clubs including SV TOP, TOP, NEC, and Feyenoord academies.
Club Career
Almere City (2013–2015)
Vincent Janssen began his professional senior career at Almere City (in the Dutch second tier, Eerste Divisie). He made 69 league appearances for Almere City, scoring 29 goals.
AZ Alkmaar (2015–2016)
In 2015 he moved to AZ Alkmaar (Eredivisie). In his first and only season there, he had a breakout campaign:
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He scored 27 league goals, finishing as the top scorer in the Eredivisie for 2015–16.
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He also won the Johan Cruyff Trophy (Dutch “Talent of the Year”) for that season.
Tottenham Hotspur (2016–2019)
In July 2016, Janssen transferred to Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League for a fee reported around £17 million.
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His time at Tottenham was mixed: he found it hard to replicate his scoring form. Over his tenure, he made 31 league appearances and scored 2 goals.
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He had some impact in cup competitions, e.g., scoring in an FA Cup quarter-final.
Loan to Fenerbahçe (2017–2018)
Janssen spent a season on loan in Turkey with Fenerbahçe, where in 16 league appearances he scored 4 goals.
Monterrey (2019–2022)
In 2019, he joined CF Monterrey in Mexico (Liga MX).
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He won domestic honours, including Liga MX Apertura 2019, the Copa MX 2019–20, and the CONCACAF Champions League in 2021.
Royal Antwerp (2022–present)
In 2022, Janssen moved to Royal Antwerp in Belgium.
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In his first season, he won the Belgian Cup, scoring in the final.
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He also helped Antwerp win the Belgian Pro League title (2022–23).
International Career
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Janssen represented the Netherlands at various youth levels (U15, U16, U18, U20, U21) before breaking into the senior national team.
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He made his senior Netherlands debut in March 2016. In that match (vs. England), he scored his first international goal (via a penalty) and also registered an assist.
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Over his senior international career, he earned 22 caps and scored 7 goals.
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He was part of the Netherlands squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
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In March 2023, at age 28, Janssen announced his retirement from international football, citing the demands of club scheduling.
Style of Play
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Janssen is known for being two-footed (comfortable with both feet), which gives him versatility in strike positioning.
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He has good instincts in the box for finishing, good movement, and pace.
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He is also praised for his strength and ability to hold up the ball, bringing teammates into play.
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Some criticisms include his weaker performance with shots from outside the penalty box, or occasional timing/movement lapses.
Achievements & Honors
Club / Team Honors
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With Monterrey: Liga MX Apertura 2019, Copa MX 2019–20, CONCACAF Champions League 2021
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With Royal Antwerp: Belgian Pro League 2022–23, Belgian Cup 2022–23
Individual Honours
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Eredivisie Top Scorer (2015–16)
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Johan Cruyff Trophy (Dutch Talent of the Year, 2015–16)
Key Reflections & Lessons
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Rapid rise through the ranks: Janssen showed how a strong season (at AZ) can open doors to higher levels of football, including major leagues abroad.
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Adaptation challenges: His career illustrates how performing in one league doesn’t always guarantee instant success in others, and adapting is crucial.
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Resilience and reinvention: After less effective spells in the Premier League, he found renewed form and success in Mexico and Belgium.
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Strategic club moves: His decision to move to Antwerp and contribute to their historic successes shows strategic thinking late in his career.
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Balance and sacrifice: His international retirement decision underscores the tension that top athletes may face between club commitments and national duty.
If you’d like, I can also provide a career timeline (year by year), or list memorable goals by Janssen. Would you prefer I do that?