Paul Jans (original) (raw)

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Dutch footballer (born 1981)

Paul Jans

Personal information
Date of birth (1981-08-05) 5 August 1981 (age 43)
Place of birth Veghel, Netherlands
Height 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
Position(s) Striker
Youth career
1987–1992 RKKV Keldonk
1992–1995 Sparta '25
1995–2000 VVV
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2000–2007 VVV-Venlo 158 (33)
2006–2007 → NEC (loan) 8 (1)
2008 Rot-Weiss Essen 9 (0)
2008–2010 Den Bosch 16 (5)
2010–2011 Dender 29 (8)
2011–2012 De Treffers 22 (7)
2012–2013 Venray
2013–2021 Kwiek Venlo
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Paul Jans (born 5 August 1981) is a Dutch former professional footballer who played as a striker.

Born in Veghel and raised in Keldonk, Jans started playing football at RKVV Keldonk, where his goal-scoring ability stood out from a young age. At 11, he moved to Sparta '25 in Beek en Donk, where his performances earned him attention from professional club VVV-Venlo.[1] Jans joined VVV at 14, but his progress was hindered by injuries, including a broken wrist and a serious ankle injury that kept him sidelined for over a year. Despite these setbacks, Jans regained his form and played in multiple positions, including forward, midfielder, and centre-back, helping to improve his versatility.[1]

In October 2000, Jans made his first-team debut for VVV, replacing Maurice Graef in a 1–0 home win against Eindhoven, and by the following season, he was a regular starter. However, he struggled to maintain a consistent spot in the starting lineup, with the club frequently seeking alternatives in the forward position. Despite this, Jans continued to contribute regularly, earning a place in the team each season.[1]

After six seasons and 158 league appearances, Jans was loaned to NEC in 2006 following a dispute with VVV's management.[2][3] Although NEC had an option to buy, they opted not to exercise it, and Jans returned to VVV for the 2007–08 season.[4]

In January 2008, Jans moved to Rot-Weiss Essen for six months,[5] before signing a two-year contract with Den Bosch. In the summer of 2010, he initially planned to join Dijkse Boys in the Topklasse,[6] but instead secured a move to Dender in Belgium.[7] The following season, Jans played for De Treffers in the Topklasse before moving to SV Venray.[8][9] In 2013, he joined Quick Boys/Venlo, later renamed Kwiek Venlo, where he ended his playing career when the club folded in 2021.[10][11]

Jans was known for his physicality and versatility, using his size to excel in aerial duels. While his playing style lacked technical flair, he was primarily a forward but also played in midfield and defence, showcasing his adaptability. Though not the most technically gifted, Jans compensated with strong tactical awareness, work rate, and determination.[1]

In 2016, Jans' stalker, a 54-year-old woman from 's-Hertogenbosch, was sentenced to a conditional prison term of five months.[12][13]

  1. ^ a b c d "Gouden Gids Divisie Talent: Paul Jans". Voetbal International (in Dutch). 25 March 2005. Archived from the original on 21 November 2024. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  2. ^ "Paul Jans en Ferne Snoyl naar NEC". De Gelderlander (in Dutch). 8 July 2006. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  3. ^ "NEC haalt Paul Jans weg bij VVV-Venlo". Voetbal International (in Dutch). 7 July 2006. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  4. ^ "Spits Jans mag alweer vertrekken bij VVV Venlo". FCUpdate.nl (in Dutch). 27 December 2007. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  5. ^ "Paul Jans tekent bij Duitse club". Trouw (in Dutch). 27 January 2008. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  6. ^ Kruyt, Bart (1 July 2010). "Jans laat profvoetbal achter zich en gaat verder bij Dijkse Boys". Voetbalzone (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 21 November 2024. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  7. ^ "Paul Jans voor jaar naar FC Dender". Omroep Brabant (in Dutch). 24 August 2010. Archived from the original on 21 November 2024. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  8. ^ Nieuwkamp, Walter (1 May 2011). "De Treffers versterkt zich met spits Paul Jans". De Gelderlander (in Dutch). Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  9. ^ "SV Venray legt Paul Jans vast". L1 (in Dutch). 9 April 2012. Archived from the original on 21 November 2024. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  10. ^ Hanssen, Tim (22 May 2013). "Paul Jans naar Quick Boys/Venlo". Omroep Venlo (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 21 November 2024. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  11. ^ "Voetbalvereniging Kwiek Venlo definitief opgeheven". Omroep Venlo (in Dutch). 18 May 2021. Archived from the original on 14 June 2021. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  12. ^ "Contactverbod en voorwaardelijke celstraf voor stalkster van oud-voetballer FC Den Bosch". Brabants Dagblad (in Dutch). 19 December 2016. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  13. ^ Star, Geert van der (27 June 2020). "Stalkster van oud-profvoetballer Paul Jans hoeft niet terug achter tralies, ondanks wens reclassering". Brabants Dagblad (in Dutch). Retrieved 21 November 2024.