Jan Paul van Hecke is a Dutch professional centre‑back who plays for Brighton & Hove Albion and the Netherlands national team, known for his aerial presence, aggressive defending, and ball‑playing style. As of 2026 he is an established Premier League defender and a relatively recent Dutch international.
Jan Paul Van Hecke’s Biography
| Details | Information |
| Full Name | Jan Paul van Hecke |
| Nickname | JPVH |
| Date of Birth | 8 June 2000 |
| Age | 26 Years |
| Birthplace | Arnemuiden, Netherlands |
| Nationality | Dutch |
| Religion | N/A |
| Height | 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in) |
| Weight | Approximately 84 kg |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Position | Centre-Back |
| Youth Clubs | VV Goes, NAC Breda |
| Senior Clubs | NAC Breda, Brighton & Hove Albion, Heerenveen (loan), Blackburn Rovers (loan) |
| Jersey Number | 6 |
| International Debut | 2024 (Netherlands Senior Team) |
| Turned Professional | 2019 |
| Estimated Net Worth | €8 Million |
| Annual Salary | Approximately £2.86 Million |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Sofie Roelse |
| Children | N/A |
| Instagram Profile | @janpaulvanhecke |
Jan Paul van Hecke is a Dutch professional footballer who has steadily climbed through the ranks of European football. Standing 1.89 meters tall, he combines physical strength with technical ability, making him one of the most dependable defenders from the Netherlands. By 2026, he is an established Premier League performer and regular Dutch international.
Early Career
Van Hecke started at VV Goes and later moved through NAC Breda’s youth setup before breaking into senior football in the Netherlands. His early route into the game was built on steady development rather than hype, which is why he moved from Dutch football into loan spells before settling at Brighton.
Professional Career
He joined Brighton in 2020 and spent time on loan at SC Heerenveen and Blackburn Rovers before returning to establish himself in the Premier League. By 2025-26, he had become an important Brighton defender, while international appearances for the Netherlands also started to appear in the record.
Wife
Jan Paul van Hecke is married to Dutch partner Sofie Roelse. The couple maintained a relatively private relationship for several years before becoming engaged in 2024. They reportedly married in June 2025 in a private ceremony attended by family and close friends.
Jan Paul Van Hecke’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Jan Paul van Hecke’s estimated net worth is approximately €8 million.
Contract
Reports indicate that Jan Paul van Hecke signed a new four‑year contract with Brighton & Hove Albion in December 2023, running until the summer of 2027.
That deal is described as being worth roughly £11.4 million in total over four years, including a base salary and potential performance‑related bonuses. Earlier data from another wage site shows contracts at Brighton with slightly different expiry dates, but the most recent specific report points to 2027 as the end date for his current deal.
Salary
Jan Paul van Hecke earns approximately £55,000 per week, which equates to around £2.86 million per year before taxes and bonuses. His salary reflects his status as a regular Premier League starter and Dutch international.
Performance incentives, appearance bonuses, and team achievements can further increase his annual earnings. Considering his rising market value and reputation, future contract negotiations could significantly increase his wages.
Career Earnings
| Season | Club | Estimated Annual Earnings |
| 2019 | NAC Breda | £6,240 |
| 2020 | NAC Breda | £30,680 |
| 2021 | Brighton / Heerenveen | £161,200 |
| 2022 | Brighton / Blackburn | £213,200 |
| 2023 | Brighton | £213,200 |
| 2024 | Brighton | £2,340,000 |
| 2025 | Brighton | £2,340,000 |
| 2026 | Brighton | £2,860,000 |
Endorsements
While Van Hecke is not among football’s biggest commercial stars, he has benefited from sponsorship opportunities linked to his Premier League profile. Like many professional footballers, he has been associated with football equipment brands and promotional campaigns connected to club and league partners.
His endorsement portfolio remains modest compared to elite global stars, but his growing reputation with the Netherlands national team could lead to larger commercial opportunities in the future.
Career Records
| Category | Record / figure |
| Senior club debut | NAC Breda, 2018–19 season |
| First move abroad | Transfer from NAC Breda to Brighton & Hove Albion |
| Loan clubs | SC Heerenveen (Netherlands), Blackburn Rovers (England) |
| Premier League games 2025–26 | Around 35 league games for Brighton, 3 goals |
| All competitions 2025–26 | 44 appearances, 3 goals, 3 assists, 3,588 minutes |
| Senior Netherlands caps | 2 appearances in UEFA Nations League A |
| Netherlands U21 caps | 8 U21 caps in official competitions |
| Main position | Centre-back; occasionally used at right‑back |
| Passing volume 2025–26 PL | About 2,450 passes attempted for Brighton, with roughly 2,135 completed |
| Disciplinary 2025–26 PL | 12 yellow cards across competitions, 0 red cards reported |
FAQs
1. Who is Jan Paul van Hecke?
Jan Paul van Hecke is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a central defender for Brighton & Hove Albion in the English Premier League and for the Netherlands national team.
2. What position does Jan Paul van Hecke play and what are his main strengths?
He primarily plays as a right-footed central defender, known for aggressive front-foot defending, strong aerial ability, and reading of the game, along with composure in playing out from the back.
3. When and where was Jan Paul van Hecke born?
He was born on 8 June 2000 in Arnemuiden, a town in the Netherlands.
4. Which clubs has Jan Paul van Hecke played for in his career?
He developed at VV Arnemuiden and NAC Breda, then moved to Brighton & Hove Albion, and has also had loan spells in the English Football League, notably with Blackburn Rovers, before establishing himself in Brighton’s first team.
5. When did Jan Paul van Hecke join Brighton & Hove Albion and for what fee?
He signed for Brighton & Hove Albion on 10 September 2020 for a reported transfer fee of around £1.8 million.
6. What is Jan Paul van Hecke’s height and physical profile?
He is about 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) tall, with a lean but strong build that suits him to aerial duels, physical battles with strikers, and covering space in a high defensive line.
7. How has Jan Paul van Hecke performed statistically in recent seasons?
In recent Premier League campaigns he has become a regular starter for Brighton, making over 30 league appearances in a season, contributing a small number of goals and assists, and posting high numbers for clearances, duels, and defensive actions.
8. Has Jan Paul van Hecke played for the Netherlands national team?
He has represented the Netherlands at youth levels and has progressed to the senior national team setup, earning call-ups as a central defensive option thanks to his club performances in the Premier League.
9. What style of play is Jan Paul van Hecke known for at Brighton?
He is known for proactive defending, stepping out of the back line to intercept, being comfortable in possession in a build-from-the-back system, and adapting to both back-four and back-three defensive structures.
10. Is Jan Paul van Hecke considered a long-term prospect for Brighton and the Netherlands?
Yes, given his age, regular Premier League minutes, and growing international involvement, he is widely viewed as a long-term defensive prospect for both Brighton & Hove Albion and the Dutch national team.