Jordi Balk Explained

Jordi Balk
Fullname:Jordi Balk
Birth Date:26 April 1994
Youthclubs1:SVF Cothen
Youthclubs2:SV Houten
Years1:2014
Caps1:4
Goals1:0
Years2:2015–2017
Caps2:68
Goals2:1
Years3:2017
Caps3:12
Goals3:1
Years4:2018
Caps4:28
Goals4:0
Years5:2019
Caps5:8
Goals5:0
Years6:2019–2020
Caps6:19
Goals6:0
Years7:2020–2022
Caps7:16
Goals7:0
Club-Update:23:51, 30 January 2023 (UTC)

Jordi Balk (born 26 April 1994) is a retired Dutch professional footballer who played as a centre back during his career, for Ross County, FC Oss, St Patrick's Athletic, FC Lienden, VV DUNO, DOVO and Sportlust '46.

Club career

Ross County

Balk, who had previously played in the youth academy of Dutch club Utrecht, signed for Scottish Premiership club Ross County in July 2014.[1] He made his debut appearance on 16 August 2014, in a 2 - 1 defeat against Kilmarnock. Balk was released from his contract in November 2014.[2]

FC Oss

In January 2015, he signed with Dutch Eerste Divisie side FC Oss until the end of the season.[3] He stayed with FC Oss until 2017.

St Patrick's Athletic

After 3 seasons with FC Oss, Balk went on trial with League of Ireland Premier Division club St Patrick's Athletic, from the capital city of Dublin. On 5 July 2017 he played the full 90 minutes as a trialist in a 1–0 friendly win over Scottish Premiership side Heart of Midlothian at Richmond Park. After impressing fans and coaching staff with his passing, positional sense and tackling, Balk signed a contract with the Saints on 7 July 2017, becoming the first Dutch player to play for the club.[4] Balk made his full debut on 9 July in a narrow 1–0 defeat away to league leaders Cork City.[5] He scored his first goal in the clubs crucial 4-2 win against Cork which helped St Pats stay in League of Ireland Premier Division.[6]

Return to Holland

On 19 December, Balk announced to his fans via his Instagram account that despite St Patrick's Athletic offering him a multi-year contract, he would be leaving Dublin and returning home to sign for FC Lienden of the Tweede Divisie on a 1.5 year contract.[7]

Balk signed with Voetbalvereniging Duno Doorwerth, better known as VV DUNO, in the beginning of 2019.[8] However, already on 12 February 2019 it was confirmed, that Balk would join DOVO from the upcoming season.[9]

Balk played for Sportlust '46 from 2020 until he retired from football in July 2022.

On 9 September 2023, Balk returned to Dublin to play in a friendly for a St. Patricks Athletic legends team for Ian Bermingham's testimonial match.[10]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueCupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Ross County2014–15Scottish Premiership40001050
FC Oss2014–15Eerste Divisie180000020200
2015–1633000330
2016–1717100171
Club Total6810020701
St Patrick's Athletic2017League of Ireland Premier Division121200000141
FC Lienden2017–18Tweede Divisie0000000000
Career total842201020892

References

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ross County boss Derek Adams snaps up trio of new faces . BBC Sport . BBC . 18 July 2014 . 28 August 2014.
  2. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30037721 Ross County: Jim McIntyre targets signings as three exit
  3. http://oss.kliknieuws.nl/forum/discussie/90790 Balk maakt seizoen af bij FC Oss
  4. Web site: Jordi Balk Joins the Saints.
  5. Web site: League Report: Cork City 1 - 0 St Patrick's Athletic.
  6. Web site: League Report: St Patrick's Athletic 4 - 2 Cork City.
  7. Web site: Jordi Balk sluit per direct aan bij tweede divisie selectie.
  8. https://hoogenlaag.nl/sport/duno-start-2019-met-makkelijke-oefenzege-532833 Duno start 2019 met makkelijke oefenzege
  9. https://www.gelderlander.nl/voetbal-arnhem/ex-prof-jordi-balk-van-duno-naar-dovo-in-veenendaal~a8dcdd97/ Ex-prof Jordi Balk van Duno naar DOVO in Veenendaal
  10. Web site: Testimonial Squads Confirmed . 2023-09-10 . www.stpatsfc.com . en.