Melle Meulensteen (born 4 July 1999) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder or a centre back for Italian Serie B club Sampdoria.[3]

Melle Meulensteen
Personal information
Date of birth (1999-07-04) 4 July 1999 (age 25)[1]
Place of birth Beugen, Netherlands[2]
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Defensive midfielder, centre back
Team information
Current team
Sampdoria
Number 17
Youth career
Manchester United
2014–2017 Preston North End
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2017–2018 Preston North End 0 (0)
2017Lancaster City (loan) 11 (3)
2018–2022 RKC Waalwijk 118 (6)
2022–2024 Vitesse 59 (2)
2024– Sampdoria 7 (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 9 November 2024

Club career

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Meulensteen started his youth career with the academy of English club Manchester United,[4] before moving to the academy of Preston North End in 2014. He further went to captain the youth side. In July 2017, he was promoted to the first team and scored a goal in his debut (friendly match) against Bamber Bridge.[2] On 8 September, he joined non-league Lancaster City on a loan deal till January 2018 to get first team opportunities.[5] His contract was terminated by mutual agreement on 23 January.[6]

On the same day, Meulensteen signed with Dutch Eerste Divisie club RKC Waalwijk after agreeing to a deal which would keep him in the club till the summer of 2019.[7] On 26 January, he made his debut against Jong Ajax.[8]

On 30 June 2022, Meulensteen signed a four-year contract with Vitesse.[9]

On 25 July 2024, Meulensteen moved to Sampdoria in Italy on a three-year deal.[10]

Personal life

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Meulensteen is the son of René Meulensteen, who was an assistant manager at Manchester United and the Australia national team.[2]

References

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  1. ^ Melle Meulensteen at Soccerway
  2. ^ a b c "Zoon Meulensteen scoort meteen bij debuut in Engeland" [Son Meulensteen immediately scores at debut in England]. De Gelderlander (in Dutch). DPG Media. 9 July 2017. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  3. ^ Melle Meulensteen at WorldFootball.net
  4. ^ "TT: Newcastle praat over Jørgensen, Spurs willen wéér shoppen bij Ajax" [TT: Newcastle talks about Jørgensen, Spurs want to shop at Ajax again]. BN DeStem (in Dutch). DPG Media. 23 January 2018. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  5. ^ "PNE's Meulensteen joins Lancaster". Lancashire Evening Post. 8 September 2017. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  6. ^ "Melle Meulensteen Leaves Preston North End". Preston North End F.C. 23 January 2018. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  7. ^ "Meulensteen sluit per direct aan bij RKC Waalwijk" [Meulensteen immediately connects to RKC Waalwijk]. Brabants Dagblad (in Dutch). DPG Media. 23 January 2018. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  8. ^ "RKC Waalwijk 2 - 4 Ajax II". Soccerway. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  9. ^ "MELLE MEULENSTEEN IS VITESSENAAR TOT MEDIO 2026 (VIDEO)" (in Dutch). Vitesse. 30 June 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  10. ^ "Meulensteen è blucerchiato: titolo definitivo dal Vitesse" [Meulensteen is Blucerchiato: permanent title from Vitesse] (in Italian). Sampdoria. 25 July 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
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