John Goossens

John Goossens (born 25 July 1988) is a Dutch former professional footballer who mainly played as a defensive midfielder, although he was capable of playing in several positions in midfield, and even as a left winger. Since his retirement from football in 2022, he has worked as a financial counsellor for professional footballers.

He began his career with NEC in the Eredivisie in 2009, after arriving from the famed Ajax academy, before moving to Feyenoord in 2012, where he played for two seasons. After leaving the club in 2014, he spent four years abroad with Indian club Pune City, Romanian club Voluntari and Major League Soccer's Chicago Fire. He returned to the Netherlands in 2018, ending his career with ADO Den Haag.

At international level, Goossens has also represented the Netherlands at U17 and U21 levels, scoring two goals at the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship with the former and finishing in third place at the tournament.

Club career

Born in Heemstede, Goossens began his career at HBC Heemstede, then joined Ajax in September 1999, and was promoted to Jong Ajax in November 2006 and signed a new contract later in May 2007, that will keep him until 2011. In the 2008–09 season, he played left back in that team, where he had previously acted as left winger. However, under the management of Marco van Basten, Goossens was told that he doesn't have a future at Ajax no longer. While at Ajax, Goossens was described as "super talented".

NEC

On 2 February 2009, Goossens moved from Ajax to NEC, where he signed a contract for four years. Previously moving to NEC, FC Twente originally keen to sign Goosens. Both parties already agreed with Goossens, but could with Ajax not agree on the terms of the contract. Ajax wanted the contract to include a repurchase option, to which Twente ceased negotiations. Goossens signed a contract until mid- 2012 in Nijmegen.

He made his professional football debut on 4 February 2009, playing his first game against Groningen, where he came on as a substitute for Rachid Bouaouzan in the 29th minute. Goossens then scored his first goal for the club, in a 1–1 draw against Twente on 3 April 2009. In his first half to his career at NEC, Goossens made eight appearances and scoring once.

In the 2009–10 season, Goossens started his full season at NEC when he wasn't used and was on the bench at the start of the season before he scored his first goal of the season, in a 1–1 draw against ADO Den Haag. A week later, on 28 October 2009, in the third round of KNVB Cup, in a 2–1 win over Excelsior. Then, he scored his second league goal of the season, in a 4–3 loss against Twente two months later. Then in the fourth round of KNVB Cup, Goossens then scored, in a 2–0 win over Groningen. During a friendly match against Pelister, Goossens damaged his left ankle that left him out between four and six weeks. He made his return, in a 2–0 loss to Groningen on 20 February 2010. Goossens then scored his third goal of the season, in a 4–1 loss to Heerenveen on 20 March 2010. At the end of the season, Goosses scored five goals in twenty-four appearances in all competitions. One of his goal this season resulted Goossens being awarded for Goal of the season.

In the 2010–11 season, Goossens started his season when he scored his goal of the season, when he scored in a 3–1 loss against PSV on 11 September 2010. Despite being on the losing side, Goossens was named by Algemeen Dagblad as the team of the week. Then, in the third round of KNVB Cup against Dordrecht, Goossens was sent-off after a straight red card in the 45th minute, which NEC lost 4–3. After the match, Goossens was given a three match ban, which lead the club appealed. As a result, Goossens was suspended on one match. The appeal would later become successful. He then scored his second goal of the season, in a 3–1 win over Willem II on 11 December 2010, followed up his third goal on 22 January 2011, in a 2–2 draw against NAC Breda. He then scored his fourth and fifth goal against Utrecht and Vitesse Arnhem. The next game after Vitesse, Goossens scored twice, in a 4–1 win over VVV-Venlo. At the end of the 2010–11 season, Goossens scored seven goals in thirteen appearances. The club started negotiation a new contract for Goossens, whose contract expire at the end of the 2011–12 season.

In 2011–12 season, Goossens appeared in two matches before being sidelined with a knee injury which he sustained during a match. Goossens made his return, in a 3–0 loss against Ajax, where he made a start, only to be substituted for 25 minutes after injuring his ankle. Goossens would score twice from a direct free kick, in a 2–0 win over VVV-Venlo. After the match, Goossens never practice taking free kick. Goossens then scored four days later, in the fourth round of KNVB Cup, in a 3–0 win over Achilles '29 (III). His third goal of the season came in a 4–0 win over Groningen on 25 February 2012. Soon after, Goossens ended his season and his career at NEC when he had a knee surgery and kept him for eight weeks.

Due to his good performance for NEC Nijmegen, Goossens was offered a new contract in 2012, but he rejected the offer. Welsh side Swansea City were interested in signing Goossens. This led to the club'