Sander Keller
Sander Keller (born 18 September 1979) is a Dutch former footballer who played as a centre back.
 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 18 September 1979 | ||
| Place of birth | Amsterdam, Netherlands | ||
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||
| Playing position(s) | Centre back | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1985–1992 | Zeeburgia | ||
| 1992–1999 | Ajax | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1999–2000 | Utrecht | 1 | (0) |
| 2000–2003 | RBC Roosendaal | 77 | (3) |
| 2003–2010 | Utrecht | 198 | (16) |
| 2010–2012 | Neuchâtel Xamax | 16 | (3) |
| 2012–2015 | Almere City | 53 | (6) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only | |||
Career
Early career
Born in Amsterdam, Keller began his career at his local club, Zeeburgia, at the age of six. He played regularly for the team before being spotted by AFC Ajax's youth scouts. He was then offered a place in the Ajax Amsterdam Academy a year later, and started training with the club before he had even reached 15 years of age.
Utrecht and RBC Roosendaal
In 1999, Keller wanted to play more matches, and therefore he joined FC Utrecht. In Utrecht he only played one match, and therefore he went to RBC Roosendaal. Here, he played 25 matches in his first season, but he could not prevent RBC Roosendaal from relegating. Eventually, he would play 77 matches for RBC, before moving back to Utrecht.
Second period at Utrecht
In Utrecht, he now played often in the Utrecht-defense. In Utrecht, Keller enjoyed many successful years, including winning the KNVB Beker two times and playing six UEFA Cup matches.[1]
In the 2006–07 season, Keller could not count on a place in the starting eleven. Therefore, he went on a look for a new club. He did not find any, and the following summer he renewed his contract until 2010.[2]
Since the 2007–08 season, he played regularly and became a very stable defender.
Neuchâtel Xamax
Keller signed a one-and-half-year contract with Swiss side Neuchâtel Xamax on 11 January 2011.[3] On 2 January 2012, Keller was to sign a loan with De Graafschap until the end of the season but the deal broke.[4] Xamax went bankrupt shortly after his return to the club.[5]
Almere City
June 2012 Keller signed a three-year contract with the Dutch side Almere City FC. He retired, after having played three seasons with the club, in July 2015.
Career statistics
| Club | Season | League | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | ||
| Utrecht | 1999–00 | Eredivisie | 1 | 0 |
| RBC Roosendaal | 2000–01 | Eredivisie | 25 | 0 |
| 2001–02 | Jupiler League | 28 | 2 | |
| 2002–03 | Eredivisie | 24 | 1 | |
| Utrecht | 2003–04 | Eredivisie | 23 | 2 |
| 2004–05 | 23 | 2 | ||
| 2005–06 | 30 | 1 | ||
| 2006–07 | 8 | 2 | ||
| 2007–08 | 26 | 2 | ||
| 2008–09 | 29 | 5 | ||
| 2009–10 | 23 | 5 | ||
| 2010–11 | 3 | 0 | ||
| Neuchâtel Xamax | 2010–11 | Swiss Super League | 16 | 3 |
| 2011–12 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Almere City | 2012–13 | Eerste Divisie | 4 | 0 |
| 2013–14 | 18 | 2 | ||
| 2014–15 | 31 | 4 | ||
| Career total | 312 | 28 | ||
References
- "Report: FC Utrecht vs Djurgarden – UEFA Cup". Soccernet.espn.go.com. 16 September 2004. Retrieved 27 April 2010.
- "Keller Pens New Utrecht Deal". Give Me Football. Retrieved 27 April 2010.
- "Sander Keller est le nouveau No. 17 de Xamax !". Neuchâtel Xamax. Retrieved 11 January 2011.
- De Graafschap ziet af van Sander Keller, degraafschap.nl, 9 January 2012
- "Swiss club Xamax bankrupt, Chechen owner arrested - - SI.com". Sportsillustrated.cnn.com. Retrieved 27 January 2012.
External links
- Voetbal International profile (in Dutch)