- published: 28 Apr 2015
- views: 165398
Jasper Cillessen (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈjɑs.pər ˈsɪ.lə.ˌsə(n)]) (born 22 April 1989) is a Dutch professional footballer, who currently plays as a goalkeeper for AFC Ajax in Eredivisie.
In May 2011, he received his first call-up for the Dutch national team.
Cillessen began playing for the local youth team of De Treffers, before being scouted to the NEC/FC Oss youth academy in 2001. In 2008 he signed his first professional contract with NEC, and started playing for the reserves. In 2010, Cillessen agreed a new two-year contract at NEC until June 2012.
Cillessen made his senior debut on 28 August 2010 in a 2–2 home draw against SC Heerenveen, because of an injury for Gábor Babos. In this match he was directly proclaimed "Man of the match". Even when first keeper Babos returned from the injury, Cillessen managed to keep his spot in the first team, and he signed a two-year contract extension that tied him to NEC until 2014. After a magnificent 2010–11 season, Cillessen was awarded the Gelderland footballer of the year.