Jan Paul van Hecke (born 8 June 2000) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for club Brighton & Hove Albion and the Netherlands national team.
Born in Arnemuiden, Van Hecke is a youth product of VV Goes, but signed for NAC Breda in 2018. He made his professional debut with NAC Breda in a 5âÂÂ1 Eerste Divisie win over Helmond Sport on 16 August 2019.
On 10 September 2020, Van Hecke joined Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion on a three-year contract.
On 18 September 2020, he returned to the Netherlands on a season-long loan with Eredivisie side Heerenveen. He made his debut for Heerenveen in a 3âÂÂ1 Eredivisie win away to Fortuna Sittard on 19 September 2020.
On 29 August 2021, he joined Blackburn Rovers of the Championship on loan for the 2021âÂÂ22 season. He made his debut on 16 October, playing the whole match of the 2âÂÂ2 home draw against Coventry City. He was sent off for a reckless challenge on Harry Wilson on his fifth appearance with Rovers already 2âÂÂ0 down in an eventual 7âÂÂ0 defeat at home to Fulham on 3 November. Van Hecke scored his first goal for Blackburn and in English football, doubling Rovers' lead with a powerful header in a 2âÂÂ0 away win at second placed AFC Bournemouth on 11 December, closing the gap to four points to their promotion rivals. He was named as the club's Player of the Season for 2021âÂÂ22, becoming the first loanee to achieve the accolade.
Van Hecke made his debut for Brighton on 24 August 2022, helping keep a clean sheet in the 3âÂÂ0 away victory over League One side Forest Green Rovers in the EFL Cup second round. Three days later, he made his Premier League debut, coming on as a 88th minute substitute for Danny Welbeck and helped secure Brighton's 1âÂÂ0 lead over Leeds United to take all three points at Falmer Stadium. With the absence of Levi Colwill, Van Hecke was selected ahead of Adam Webster where he made his first Premier League start on 21 January 2023, in the 2âÂÂ2 away draw at Leicester City. He played in the 1âÂÂ1 home draw against champions Manchester City on 24 May, keeping Erling Haaland goalless with Brighton sealing a place in the 2023âÂÂ24 UEFA Europa League.
On 13 July 2023, Van Hecke signed a new contract with the Seagulls; the length of the contract was undisclosed.
In the 2023âÂÂ24 season, Van Hecke began to establish himself as a regular member of the starting eleven, finishing the season with 28 Premier League appearances and five clean sheets. He was rewarded for his form with a new contract until 2027, with head coach Roberto De Zerbi praising Van Hecke for his performances, saying that he is "improving in an incredible way".
Van Hecke was called up to the Netherlands under-21 squad for the first time in March 2022, but was an unused substitute in a 0âÂÂ0 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying draw against Bulgaria. He made his debut for the under-21 side on 3 June, coming on as a substitute in the 3âÂÂ0 away win over Moldova under-21s in a 2023 European under-21 Championship qualifier.
On 16 August 2024, Van Hecke was named in the 35-man provisional Netherlands squad for the Nations League ties against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Germany alongside Brighton teammates Bart Verbruggen and Mats Wieffer. He was originally left out of the final squad but received his first senior call up on 1 September after the withdrawal of Micky van de Ven due to injury. He debuted on 10 September 2024 against Germany at Johan Cruyff Arena. He substituted Matthijs de Ligt at half-time of a 2âÂÂ2 draw.
Van Hecke is the nephew of the Dutch retired footballer Jan Poortvliet.
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