Joeri Heerkens

Joeri Jesse Heerkens, born on 8 May 2006 in Broumov, Czech Republic, is a promising young goalkeeper whose journey through the ranks of European football has already seen him make significant strides. With dual nationality from the Netherlands and the Czech Republic, Heerkens has developed a reputation for his agility and shot-stopping ability, making him a vital asset for his teams at both club and international levels.

Heerkens began his footballing journey at the tender age of six, joining the youth academy of TJ Slovan Broumov. His progression through the Czech youth system continued as he moved to FK Náchod in 2018, and then to FC Hradec Králové a year later. It was at AC Sparta Prague in 2021 where he truly began to hone his skills, eventually earning a loan move to FK Loko Prague in 2025, where he made nine league appearances. His impressive performances during this period caught the attention of scouts, leading to a significant transfer to AFC Ajax later that year, where he signed a contract until 2030.

Internationally, Heerkens has showcased his talents on the youth stage, representing both the Czech Republic and the Netherlands. He featured for the Czech Republic U17 team during the UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualification in 2023, before switching allegiances to the Netherlands U19 squad. His commitment paid off when he was part of the team that lifted the UEFA European Under-19 Championship in 2025, an experience that also saw him named in the Team of the Tournament.

Heerkens’ journey is marked by determination and hard work, having attended a sports boarding school from the age of thirteen, which nurtured his footballing abilities. As he continues to develop at Ajax, the football community will be keenly watching to see how this talented goalkeeper’s career unfolds in the coming years.