Vito van Crooij explained

Vito van Crooij
Fullname:Vito van Crooij[1]
Birth Date:29 January 1996
Birth Place:Venlo, Netherlands
Currentclub:Al-Wehda
Clubnumber:7
Height:1.79 m
Position:Winger
Youthclubs1:Quick Boys '31
Youthyears2:2004–2013
Youthclubs2:VVV-Venlo
Years1:2013–2018
Clubs1:VVV-Venlo
Caps1:132
Goals1:35
Years2:2018–2020
Clubs2:PEC Zwolle
Caps2:46
Goals2:9
Years3:2020–2021
Clubs3:VVV-Venlo
Caps3:31
Goals3:3
Years4:2021–2023
Clubs4:Sparta Rotterdam
Caps4:70
Goals4:17
Years5:2023–
Clubs5:Al-Wehda
Caps5:14
Goals5:0
Nationalyears1:2015
Nationalteam1:Netherlands U20
Nationalcaps1:6
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2016
Nationalteam2:Netherlands U21
Nationalcaps2:1
Nationalgoals2:0
Club-Update:22:08, 23 March 2024 (UTC)

Vito van Crooij (born 29 January 1996) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a winger, primarily on the left hand side, for Saudi Pro League club Al-Wehda. He won the Eerste Divisie Young Player of the Year in 2016 for his performances for VVV-Venlo.

His brother, Delano van Crooy plays professionally as a goalkeeper.

Club career

Born in Venlo, van Crooij made his debut for VVV-Venlo at the age of 18 in the KNVB Cup against Eindhoven at the start of the 2014–15 Season, however he did not score until the game against MVV in the KNVB Cup, scoring once in the 2–0 victory. His first league game in the Eerste Divisie was in the 3–0 victory against Achilles '29.[2] However, Van Crooy did not score a league goal until February, netting the winner in the 1–0 victory against Almere City.

In the 2015–16 season, van Crooij was part of the VVV-Venlo squad which finished second in the Eerste Divisie. He scored 13 goals and recorded 8 assists throughout the season playing as a left winger. He was part of the VVV-Venlo team which lost in the play off final of the Eerste Divisie. He just missed out on the Eerste Divisie Young Player of the Year Award[3] for the 2015–16 season where he was nominated due to his impressive performances for VVV.

In the 2016–17 season, van Crooij started the season well, scoring the equaliser in the 2–1 victory over SC Cambuur. Since then he has scored more goals, including a penalty in the 2–1 defeat to Helmond Sport.

On 13 July 2018 he became a new PEC Zwolle player.

On 25 August 2020, he returned to VVV-Venlo.[4] [5]

On 25 June 2021, Van Crooij signed a three-year contract with Sparta Rotterdam.[6] On 14 August 2022, he scored the fastest goal in Eredivisie history – after eight seconds against AZ Alkmaar.[7]

On 7 September 2023, van Crooij joined Saudi Pro League club Al-Wehda on a three-year deal.[8]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupEuropeOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsApps!GoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
VVV-Venlo2013–14Eerste Divisie10000010
2014–15Eerste Divisie3133141385
2015–16Eerste Divisie331311203414
2016–17Eerste Divisie3614203814
2017–18Eredivisie31520335
Total13235826114438
PEC Zwolle2018–19Eredivisie309213210
2019–20Eredivisie1602054180
Total46941545010
VVV-Venlo2020–21Eredivisie31341354
Sparta Rotterdam2021–22Eredivisie33522357
2022–23Eredivisie341220003612
2023–24Eredivisie30000030
Total701742007419
Al-Wehda2023–24Pro League000000
Career total263641820011528571

Honours

VVV-Venlo

Individual

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: V. van Crooij: Summary . Soccerway . Perform Group . 6 August 2022.
  2. https://www.1limburg.nl/van-crooy-tekent-voor-25-jaar-bij-vvv Van Crooy tekent voor 2,5 jaar bij VVV
  3. http://www.rijnmond.nl/nieuws/141528/Sparta-wint-bijna-alle-Gouden-Stieren Sparta wint bijna alle Gouden Stieren
  4. Web site: 25 August 2020. Vito van Crooij terug naar VVV-Venlo. 26 August 2020. nl. PEC Zwolle.
  5. Web site: 25 August 2020. Vito van Crooij terug op oude nest. 26 August 2020. VVV-Venlo. nl.
  6. Web site: Vito van Crooij maakt overstap naar Sparta Rotterdam . Sparta Rotterdam . 6 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210625165031/https://www.sparta-rotterdam.nl/vito-crooij-maakt-overstap-naar-sparta-rotterdam/ . 25 June 2021 . nl . 25 June 2021 . live.
  7. https://www.sport1.de/news/internationaler-fussball/2022/08/sparta-profi-erzielt-rekordtor-nach-acht-sekunden Rekordtor in den Niederlanden.
  8. Web site: الوحدة يعزز صفوفه بـ الجناح الهولندي "فيتو" .
  9. Web site: Sparta and AZ dominate Eredivisie team of the month in march. 31 March 2023. 8 April 2023. Eredivisie. en.