Jacob Vandsø Ryfeldt Rasmussen (born 28 May 1997) is a Danish professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for German club 1. FC Kaiserslautern.
Born in Odense, Rasmussen began his youth career at age five for Næsby Boldklub before moving to the youth academy of Superliga club Odense Boldklub (OB) in 2013. He signed with the Schalke 04 academy in September 2014.
After spending two seasons in the academy he signed for FC St. Pauli in June 2016. He became part of the reserve team, competing in Regionalliga. On 31 July he made his debut for the side, starting in the 3âÂÂ1 win over 1. FC Germania Egestorf/Langreder. In the return game against Egestorf/Langreder on 26 November, he scored his first goal for the team and thereby contributed to the 3âÂÂ3 away draw.
He was part of the first-team squad twice, but only sat on the bench for matches against SV Sandhausen and VfL Bochum.
On 6 January 2017, Rasmussen signed for Eliteserien club Rosenborg. He made his debut 29 March 2017 starting against Brann in the 2017 Mesterfinalen. On 5 April he made his debut in Eliteserien, starting in the 3âÂÂ0 victory at Sandefjord.
On 5 July 2018, Empoli announced that they had signed Rasmussen on a four-year contract. He made his debut on 12 August in the Coppa Italia tie against Cittadella, which was lost 3âÂÂ0. Seven days later he also made his debut in Serie A, in the 2âÂÂ0 win over Cagliari.
On 31 January 2019, Rasmussen joined Fiorentina. He was sent directly to his former club Empoli on loan for the remainder of the 2018âÂÂ19 season.
On 12 January 2020, he joined 2. Bundesliga club Erzgebirge Aue on loan for the rest of the 2019âÂÂ20 season. He made his debut on 31 January in a 0âÂÂ0 draw against league leaders Arminia Bielefeld.
On 21 July 2020, Rasmussen was loaned to Dutch Eredivisie club Vitesse for the 2020âÂÂ21 season, with the option of extending the loan for another season. During the season, Vitesse reached the final of the KNVB Cup, but lost 2âÂÂ1 to Ajax. Rasmussen was sent off in the cup final. A month later, the option in his loan deal was triggered, and his deal was extended by another season.
On 4 November 2021, Rasmussen scored a goal and an own goal in the span of four minutes in the UEFA Europa Conference League match against Tottenham Hotspur, coached by Antonio Conte in his debut as manager of the club. The match ended in a 3âÂÂ2 loss for the Dutch side.
On 30 July 2022, Rasmussen returned to the Netherlands and joined Feyenoord on a season-long loan with an option to buy. He made his competitive debut for the club on the first matchday of the 2022âÂÂ23 season, starting at centre-back against his former club Vitesse in a 5âÂÂ2 victory. On 27 August, he scored his first goal for the club, slotting home the third goal in the club's 4âÂÂ0 win over FC Emmen.
On 14 July 2023, it was announced that Fiorentina and Brøndby had reached an agreement for the transfer of Rasmussen for an undisclosed fee, reported to be â¬3 million. He signed a four-year contract, and was assigned the number 4 shirt. He made his debut for the club on 6 August, starting in a 3âÂÂ1 league loss to Nordsjælland. On 3 September, he scored his first goal for Brøndby, easily tapping the ball in from close range to kickstart a 3âÂÂ1 victory over Randers.
On 13 September 2024, Rasmussen was named as Kevin Mensah's replacement as club captain.
On 9 June 2025, Rasmussen joined Austrian Bundesliga club Red Bull Salzburg from Brøndby, signing a two-year contract. He described himself as "hungry for success and titles" and stated that he aimed to "deliver from day one," as he was reunited with his manager at Vitesse, Thomas Letsch. Assigned the number 2 shirt, he made his competitive debut nine days later in a 2âÂÂ1 victory over Pachuca at the FIFA Club World Cup, a match played at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati which was delayed for more than an hour due to a thunderstorm. He started all three of Salzburg's group-stage matches, although the club did not progress beyond the first round.
Rasmussen made his league debut on 2 August in a 2âÂÂ2 draw away to newly promoted SV Ried on the opening day of the 2025âÂÂ26 season. Ten days later he scored his first goal for Salzburg, heading his side into the lead in a 3âÂÂ2 home defeat to Club Brugge in the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round. Local media noted a misplaced pass from Rasmussen in the build-up to Brugge's equaliser, as Salzburg were eliminated 4âÂÂ2 on aggregate.
On 30 January 2026, Rasmussen signed with 1. FC Kaiserslautern in German 2. Bundesliga.
Rosenborg
Feyenoord
Individual