GN Soccer Magazine September 2014 Edition | Page 19

19

Having completed a rigorous and thorough rehabilitation programme Erik’s career looked
to be firmly back on track as he helped his side to the Dutch Cup in April thanks to a 3-0
final success against Heracles, however, disaster struck two weeks later as he suffered a
second major metatarsal injury.
His return to the field nine months later was marred by a controversial red card in a 3-1
home defeat against PEC Zwolle, with Pieters subsequently venting his frustrations by
punching a glass window in the tunnel area.
That incident came at a huge cost however, as he required surgery which ruled him out of
action for the remainder of the 2012/13 campaign.
In June 2013 the defender played his first competitive football since January, featuring for
45 minutes in each of the Netherlands two international friendly victories against Indonesia and China.
Despite his impressive displays for the Potters during the 2013/14 season, Pieters narrowly missed out on representing his country in the summer at the World Cup Finals in
Brazil.

Personal information
Full name
Date of
birth
Place of
birth
Height
Playing
position

Erik Pieters
7 August 1988 (age 26)
Tiel, Gelderland, Netherlands
1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Left back

Club information
Current
team

Stoke City

Number

3

National team

Netherlands
5
(0)
VV Rhelico
U17
Utrecht
Nether2006–
Senior career*
lands
3
(0)
†
† 2007
U19
Years
Team
Apps
(Gls)
Nether2006–
Utrecht
51
(2) 2007–
lands
19
(1)
2008
2010
U21
2008–
PSV Eind93
(0)
Nether2010–
17
(0)
lands
2013–
Stoke City
38
(1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as
of 19:13, 24 August 2014 (UTC).

Youth career

2004–
2006

† Appearances (Goals).
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 11 June 2013