| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Michael James den Heijer[1] | ||
| Date of birth | (1996-04-14) 14 April 1996[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Auckland, New Zealand | ||
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[1] | ||
| Position | Center back | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Auckland FC (OFC) | ||
| Number | 5 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2014 | Kashiwa Reysol | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2013–2014 | Wanderers SC | 13 | (0) |
| 2015–2016 | Auckland City | 16 | (0) |
| 2016–2019 | NEC | 0 | (0) |
| 2019–2020 | DFS | ||
| 2020 | 1. FC Kleve | 7 | (2) |
| 2022 | Auckland United | 29 | (5) |
| 2023–2025 | Auckland City | 9 | (0) |
| 2026– | Auckland FC (OFC) | 13 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 12 May 2026 | |||
Michael James den Heijer (born 14 April 1996) is a New Zealand footballer who plays as a defender for Auckland FC (OFC) in the OFC Pro League.
Early life and education
Den Heijer started playing football at the age of five.[2] He appeared in a commercial for New Zealand ice cream brand Tip Top at the age of seven.[3]
Den Heijer attended Kashiwa Sports High School in Japan.[4]
Club career
In 2020, Den Heijer signed for German side 1. FC Kleve, where he was regarded as one of the club's most important players.[5] After that, he signed for New Zealand side Auckland United, where he was regarded as one of the club's top players.[6]
On 18 December 2025, Den Heijer joined Auckland FC to play in the newly founded OFC Professional League.[7]
International career
Den Heijer represented New Zealand internationally at the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup.[8]
Career statistics
| Club | Season | League | National Cup | Continental | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Style of play
Den Heijer mainly operates as a midfielder and is known for his strength.[9]
Personal life
Den Heijer is of Dutch descent.[10]
Honours
Auckland City
Auckland FC
References
- "FIFA Club World Cup Saudi Arabia 2023™: List of Players: Auckland City FC" (PDF). FIFA. 6 December 2023. p. 3. Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 December 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
- "『プロフェショナルなサッカー選手になりたい』". kiwibreeze.jp.
- "Michael den Heijer - New Zealand Herald article". 8 December 2015.
- "Michael den Heijer - Soccer King article". 8 December 2015.
- "Michael den Heijer - Rheinische Post article". 19 January 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - "Who is in the men's Team of the Month for October?".
- "Five new signings as Auckland FC's OFC Pro League squad assembles". Auckland FC. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
- "Michael den Heijer - Nikkan Sports article".
- "Michael den Heijer - Nieuws uit Nijmegen article".
- "Michael den Heijer - Niche Cache article". 17 September 2017.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - "Auckland City FC Claim Back-to-Back Dettol National League Championships With Penalty Shootout Win Over Wellington Olympic". New Zealand Football. 13 December 2025. Retrieved 17 December 2025 – via Instagram.
External links
- Michael den Heijer at WorldFootball.net