Alex Schalk Explained

Alex Schalk
Full Name:Alex Adrianus Antonius Schalk[1]
Birth Date:7 August 1992
Birth Place:Breda, Netherlands
Height:1.71 m[2]
Position:Forward, winger
Currentclub:ADO Den Haag
Clubnumber:30
Youthclubs1:Beek Vooruit
Youthclubs2:NAC Breda
Years1:2011–2014
Clubs1:NAC Breda
Caps1:58
Goals1:10
Years2:2014
Clubs2:PSV (loan)
Caps2:0
Goals2:0
Years3:2014
Clubs3:Jong PSV (loan)
Caps3:16
Goals3:6
Years4:2014–2015
Clubs4:Go Ahead Eagles
Caps4:22
Goals4:4
Years5:2015–2018
Clubs5:Ross County
Caps5:87
Goals5:21
Years6:2018–2022
Caps6:100
Goals6:29
Years7:2022–2024
Clubs7:Urawa Red Diamonds
Caps7:19
Goals7:3
Years8:2024–
Clubs8:ADO Den Haag
Caps8:17
Goals8:3
Nationalyears1:2012–2013
Nationalteam1:Netherlands U20
Nationalcaps1:4
Nationalgoals1:3
Nationalyears2:2011–2013
Nationalteam2:Netherlands U21
Nationalcaps2:4
Nationalgoals2:0
Club-Update:22:06, 10 May 2024 (UTC)

Alex Adrianus Antonius Schalk (born 7 August 1992) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a forward or a winger for club ADO Den Haag.

He scored the winning goal for Ross County in the 2015–16 Scottish League Cup final.

Career

Schalk came through the youth ranks of NAC Breda, earning the nickname of "Der Bomber van Breda" because of his reputation as a footballer with remarkable goalscoring instincts, comparable to legendary German striker Gerd Müller.[3] On 1 May 2011, he made his senior debut for NAC against Heracles Almelo in the 33rd round of the 2010–11 Eredivisie season, replacing Ömer Bayram in the 85th minute. The match ended in a 2–1 home loss.[4] On 9 August 2011, Schalk agreed to a new two-year contract at NAC until June 2013.[5]

After losing perspective on playing matches for NAC Breda, Schalk was sent on loan to PSV, where he played for Eerste Divisie side Jong PSV. He scored six times in 16 matches for the Eerste Divisie side. On 28 June 2014, Schalk signed a one-year deal with Eredivisie side Go Ahead Eagles on a free transfer.

Schalk moved to Scottish Premiership club Ross County in October 2015.[6] On 13 March 2016, he scored a late winner as Ross County won their first major silverware with a 2–1 victory over Hibernian in the Scottish League Cup final.[7] On 16 April 2017, in the 88th minute of a Premiership match at home to Celtic, he won a penalty which was converted to earn Ross County a 2–2 draw. The act was described as a "clear dive" while Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers accused Schalk of "blatant cheating".[8] [9] Days later, he was charged with committing an "act of simulation" and handed a two-game suspension by the Scottish Football Association's compliance officer which both he and his club accepted.[10]

After Ross County were relegated to the Scottish Championship, Schalk was allowed to leave and join the Swiss side Servette. [11] He made headlines in October 2019 after giving the middle finger to FC Sion fans after scoring a goal. As a result, he was suspended for two games.[12]

On 25 March 2022, Schalk signed with Urawa Red Diamonds in Japan.[13] On 15 December 2023, he scored the only goal in a 1–0 victory over León in the FIFA Club World Cup second round.[14]

On 12 January 2024, Schalk signed a contract with ADO Den Haag until June 2025, with an option to extend to 2026.[15]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
NAC Breda2010–11Eredivisie100010
2011–12Eredivisie32610336
2012–13Eredivisie20332235
2013–14Eredivisie511061
Total5810526312
Jong PSV (loan)2013–14Eerste Divisie166166
Go Ahead Eagles2014–15Eredivisie204102[16] 0234
2015–16Eerste Divisie20002[17] 040
Total224102020274
Ross County2015–16Scottish Premiership2554232329
2016–17Scottish Premiership3252043388
2017–18Scottish Premiership301110523613
Total87217212710630
Servette2018–19Swiss Challenge League27910289
2019–20Swiss Super League21720227
2020–21Swiss Super League311030103410
2021–22Swiss Super League2132310246
Total10029832011032
Urawa Red Diamonds2022J1 League121100033164
2023J1 League7200423031175
Total19310426331339
ADO Den Haag2023–24Eerste Divisie1731023206
Career total319762371691037437599

Honours

Club

Ross County

2015–16[7]

Servette

2018–19Urawa Red Diamonds

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: FIFA Club World Cup Saudi Arabia 2023™: List of Players: Urawa Reds . FIFA . 7 . 6 December 2023 . 10 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231206205418/https://fdp.fifa.org/assetspublic/ce119/pdf/SquadLists-English.pdf . 6 December 2023 . live.
  2. Web site: Alex Schalk . Japanese . Urawa Red Diamonds . 22 September 2022.
  3. Web site: 'Der Bomber van Breda' Schalk blijft langer bij NAC . . 9 August 2011 . 9 August 2011.
  4. Web site: NAC Breda 1-2 Heracles Almelo . . 1 May 2011 . 9 August 2011.
  5. Web site: NAC Breda bindt talenten Schalk en Bouwman . Telegraaf . 9 August 2011 . 9 August 2011.
  6. Web site: Ross County sign Dutch striker Alex Schalk until end of season . BBC Sport . BBC . 6 October 2015 . 6 October 2015.
  7. Web site: Wilson. Richard. Scottish League Cup Final: Hibernian 1 Ross County 2 . BBC Sport. 14 March 2016. 13 March 2016.
  8. News: Dowden. Martin. Ross County 2-2 Celtic - BBC Sport. 19 April 2017. BBC Sport. 16 April 2017.
  9. Web site: Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers accuses Ross County's Alex Schalk of 'blatant cheating'. Sky Sports. 19 April 2017. 17 April 2017.
  10. News: Ross County: Alex Schalk accepts two-game suspension for diving. 19 April 2017. BBC Sport. 19 April 2017.
  11. News: Alex Schalk . 10 July 2018. BN Destem. 10 July 2018.
  12. News: Kunz . Alain . Servette nimmt "Fall Schalk" nicht so ernst . 26 December 2020 . . 1 November 2019 . German.
  13. Urawa Red Diamonds. アレックス シャルク選手 完全移籍加入クラブ間合意のお知らせ. 25 March 2022. 25 March 2022. ja.
  14. Web site: Club León 0–1 Urawa Reds . FIFA . 15 December 2023 .
  15. Web site: ADO Den Haag. ALEX SCHALK TEKENT BIJ ADO DEN HAAG. ALEX SCHALK SIGNS WITH ADO DEN HAAG. 12 January 2024. 15 January 2024. nl.
  16. Appearances in Eredivisie relegation play-offs
  17. Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  18. Web site: 6 May 2023 . Urawa Reds edge Al Hilal for historic third title . 6 May 2023 . AFC.
  19. Web site: Orlowitz . Dan . 6 May 2023 . Urawa beats Al Hilal to capture third Asian Champions League title . 6 May 2023 . The Japan Times.