Erik Pieters

Football player infobox
playername = Erik Pieters


fullname = Erik Pieters
height = height|meters=1.84
nickname =
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1988|8|7
cityofbirth = Enspijk
countryofbirth = Netherlands
currentclub = PSV Eindhoven
clubnumber = 14
contractend =
position = Left-back/Central Defender
youthyears = 19??–2006
youthclubs = FC Utrecht
years = 2006–2008
2008–
clubs = FC Utrecht
PSV Eindhoven
caps(goals) = 051 0(2)
nationalyears = 2007–
nationalteam = Netherlands u-21
nationalcaps(goals) = 011 0(0)
pcupdate = May 17 2008
ntupdate = 12:00, 25 June 2006 (UTC)

Erik Pieters (born 7 August 1988) is a Dutch footballer who currently plays for PSV Eindhoven. Pieters is a defender who made his debut in the professional football squad of FC Utrecht in the 2006-07 season.

In 2007 Pieters was called up by Jong Oranje coach Foppe de Haan to be part of his squad for the 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship held in the Netherlands. Pieters did not play in their first round group match against Israel (1-0 win), but did come on as a substitute in the second match against Portugal (2-1 win) to secure a semi final spot and to qualify for the 2008 Summer Olympics. In the semi finals against England (1-1, 13-12 after 32 penalty kicks) Pieters played in the starting eleven, but was later substituted by Tim Janssen to improve the attack as well as due to a small injury. Pieters returned on the pitch and the Dutch went on to retain their 2006 title by beating Serbia 4-1 in the final.

In the 2007-08 season, Pieters became a starter in the lineup of FC Utrecht, now coached bij Willem van Hanegem. Pieters became one of the highlights of the season, although Utrecht had a pretty dull season. Pieters stood out and this led to interest from Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven. [ [http://www.rtvutrecht.nl/nieuws/192970 RTV Utrecht - voor stad en provincie Utrecht ] ]

On July 9, 2008, it was announced that FC Utrecht and PSV has reached an agreement for the transfer of Pieters. PSV paid an transfer fee of €2,500,000 for the talented leftback. He will wear the number 14 jersey, which was previosly worn by Chelsea FC-loaner Slobodan Rajkovic. [ [http://www.vi.nl/NieuwsItem/PietersIsRondMetPSV,ClubsZijnDichtBijAkkoord.htm Voetbal International - Pieters is rond met PSV, clubs zijn dicht bij akkoord ] ] [ [http://www.vi.nl/NieuwsItem/UtrechtEnPSVZijnAkkoordPietersNaarEindhoven.htm Voetbal International - Utrecht en PSV zijn akkoord: Pieters naar Eindhoven ] ]

References