Remco Balk

Dutch footballer (born 2001)

Remco Balk
Personal information
Date of birth (2001-03-02) 2 March 2001 (age 23)
Place of birth Zuidhorn, Netherlands
Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Position(s) Winger
Team information
Current team
 Cambuur
Number 7
Youth career
0000–2012 VV Zuidhorn
2012–2020 Groningen
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2020–2021 Groningen 11 (1)
2021–2021 Jong Utrecht 18 (2)
2021–2023 Utrecht 19 (0)
2022–2023 → Cambuur (loan) 30 (1)
2023– Cambuur 31 (8)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:37, 26 April 2024 (UTC)

Remco Balk (born 2 March 2001) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a winger for Eerste Divisie club Cambuur.

Club career

Groningen

Balk was born in Zuidhorn, Province of Groningen where he started playing football for local side VV Zuidhorn before joining FC Groningen's academy in 2012.[1] In 2018, he signed a professional contract with the club, keeping him part of Groningen until 2021.[2]

On 25 September 2020, Balk made his professional debut in a 3–1 Eredivisie loss to Twente, replacing Ramon Pascal Lundqvist in the 66th minute.[3][4] In the following league game on 4 October, Balk made his first start and scored his first professional goal, which proved to be decisive, as Groningen beat Ajax 1–0.[5]

Utrecht

On 20 January 2021, Balk's transfer to division rivals Utrecht was announced, with him signing a deal until 2025.[6] Upon signing, the club's technical director Jordy Zuidam stated: "Remco is a dynamic player with excellent technical skills ... He possesses a tremendous drive and a strong mentality. We are convinced that Remco is a great fit for FC Utrecht, and we're thrilled to welcome him here."[7][8]

His debut for Utrecht followed on 24 January, coming on as a substitute for Bart Ramselaar in the 84th minute of a 1–0 victory against Sparta Rotterdam.[9] Subsequently, Balk alternated between playing matches for both the first and second team of Utrecht, the latter in the second tier.[10]

Cambuur

Balk was sent on a one-season loan to Eredivisie club Cambuur on 2 June 2022.[11] The deal did not include an option to buy.[12] After signing, Balk stated that he had signed with Cambuur because he wanted to play regularly and enjoy football again, as his opportunities at FC Utrecht had become limited.[13] He made 30 league appearances that season, of which most were as a substitute, as Cambuur suffered relegation to the Eerste Divisie at the end of the season.[10][14]

On 28 June 2023, Balk moved to Cambuur on a permanent deal and signed a two-year contract with an option for the third year.[15] In his second season at the club, he established himself as a starter in manager Henk de Jong's lineup.[10]

Personal life

Growing up in Zuidhorn, Balk worked as dishwasher in his father's restaurant "Balk Restaurant en Zalencentrum".[3]

References

  1. ^ "Leonel Miquel en Remco Balk uit Zuidhorn ook volgend seizoen bij FC Groningen". Welkom in Zuidhorn (in Dutch). 12 April 2013. Archived from the original on 25 April 2024. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
  2. ^ "Talenten: 'Binnen twee jaar hopen wij in het stadion te spelen'". FC Groningen (in Dutch). 13 May 2018. Archived from the original on 25 April 2024. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Zuidhorn trots op debuut Remco Balk". FC Groningen (in Dutch). 1 October 2020. Archived from the original on 25 April 2024. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
  4. ^ "Twente vs. Groningen 3–1: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Archived from the original on 4 July 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  5. ^ "FC Groningen stunt door goal van Balk met zege op Ajax". RTV Noord (in Dutch). 4 October 2020. Archived from the original on 11 December 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  6. ^ Bleeker, Stefan (20 January 2021). "Remco Balk: 'Het leek wel alsof ze me niet graag hier wilden houden'". RTV Noord (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 6 December 2022. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  7. ^ "Aanvaller Remco Balk versterkt FC Utrecht". FC Utrecht (in Dutch). 20 January 2021. Archived from the original on 1 December 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  8. ^ "Aanvaller Remco Balk versterkt FC Utrecht". FC Utrecht. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  9. ^ "Utrecht vs. Sparta Rotterdam 1–0: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Archived from the original on 19 April 2021. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  10. ^ a b c Remco Balk at Soccerway
  11. ^ "SC Cambuur huurt Remco Balk voor één seizoen van FC Utrecht". SC Cambuur (in Dutch). 2 June 2022. Archived from the original on 2 June 2022. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
  12. ^ "Remco Balk vertrekt voor jaar van FC Utrecht naar SC Cambuur". RTV Noord (in Dutch). 31 May 2022. Archived from the original on 5 July 2022. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  13. ^ Bleeker, Stefan (2 June 2022). "Remco Balk hoopt bij Cambuur het plezier weer terug te vinden". RTV Noord (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 29 November 2022. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  14. ^ "SC Cambuur degradeert na twee seizoenen naar de Keuken Kampioen Divisie". Eredivisie (in Dutch). 6 May 2023. Archived from the original on 8 February 2024. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  15. ^ "TRANSFER: Remco Balk blijft bij SC Cambuur". SC Cambuur (in Dutch). 28 June 2023. Archived from the original on 24 September 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2024.

External links

  • v
  • t
  • e
SC Cambuur – current squad