Rio Hillen (born 5 March 2003) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Eerste Divisie club De Graafschap.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 5 March 2003 | ||
| Place of birth | Amsterdam, Netherlands[1] | ||
| Height | 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)[2] | ||
| Position(s) | Centre-back | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | De Graafschap | ||
| Number | 20 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| –2014 | AFC | ||
| 2014–2019 | AZ | ||
| 2019–2020 | Ajax | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2020–2022 | Jong Ajax | 25 | (0) |
| 2022– | De Graafschap | 47 | (2) |
| International career | |||
| 2017–2018 | Netherlands U15 | 5 | (1) |
| 2019 | Netherlands U17 | 4 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 11:29, 14 January 2024 (UTC) | |||
Club career edit
Early years edit
Hillen started playing football in the youth teams of AFC.[3] In 2014 he transitioned to the youth academy of AZ.[4]
On 11 June 2019, he furthered his development by joining Ajax.[5] Following his move to Ajax, he maintained his presence in the U17 squad, notching two goals in 17 games. In the subsequent season, alongside appearances for U18 and U19, he made his debut for Jong Ajax in the Eerste Divisie as a substitute in stoppage time for Terrence Douglas during a 5–1 victory over MVV.[6] Subsequently, Hillen began to feature more regularly in the reserve team.[7]
De Graafschap edit
On 22 June 2022, Hillen signed a two-year contract with De Graafschap.[8] He made his debut for the club on 7 August, the first matchday of the season, starting in a 2–1 loss to PEC Zwolle.[9][10] On 30 January 2023, he scored his first professional goal, equalising in the 58th minute of a 1–1 draw against Jong Utrecht.[11] He remained a starter for the remainder of the season, scoring twice in 39 appearances.[7]
In October 2023, Hillen faced a setback with a knee injury during an away game against Jong AZ. The injury required surgery and kept him out of action for several months.[12]
International career edit
Born in the Netherlands, Hillen is of Brazilian descent through his mother.[13] He is a youth international for the Netherlands.[14]
Career statistics edit
- As of match played 23 October 2023[15]
| Club | Season | League | KNVB Cup | Other | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Jong Ajax | 2020–21 | Eerste Divisie | 8 | 0 | — | — | 8 | 0 | ||
| 2021–22 | Eerste Divisie | 17 | 0 | — | — | 17 | 0 | |||
| Total | 25 | 0 | — | — | 25 | 0 | ||||
| De Graafschap | 2022–23 | Eerste Divisie | 36 | 2 | 3 | 0 | — | 39 | 2 | |
| 2023–24 | Eerste Divisie | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 11 | 0 | ||
| Total | 47 | 2 | 3 | 0 | — | 50 | 2 | |||
| Career total | 72 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 75 | 2 | ||
References edit
- ^ "Rio Hillen | Ajax Showtime". Ajax Showtime (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 22 September 2020.
- ^ "R. Hillen: Profiel". Voetbal International (in Dutch). Retrieved 25 January 2024.
- ^ "Fitz-Jim en Hillen: teamgenoten voor het leven". Ajax (in Dutch). 23 February 2021. Archived from the original on 23 February 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
- ^ "Speler van de Maand: Rio Hillen". AZ (in Dutch). 6 February 2018. Archived from the original on 2 June 2019. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
- ^ "Ajax contracteert Rio Hillen". Amsterdams Dagblad (in Dutch). 11 June 2019. Archived from the original on 6 August 2020. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
- ^ "MVV vs. Ajax II 1–5: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Archived from the original on 24 August 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
- ^ a b "Rio Hillen » Club matches". WorldFootball.net. HEIM:SPIEL. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
- ^ "De Graafschap versterkt zich met verdediger Rio Hillen". De Graafschap (in Dutch). 22 June 2022. Archived from the original on 22 June 2022. Retrieved 9 July 2022.
- ^ "PEC Zwolle klopt De Graafschap na vermakelijke tweede helft". NOS (in Dutch). 7 August 2022. Archived from the original on 21 August 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
- ^ "PEC Zwolle vs. De Graafschap 2–1: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Archived from the original on 9 July 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
- ^ Willemsen, Raymond (30 January 2023). "De Graafschap stelt teleur bij hekkensluiter Jong FC Utrecht". De Gelderlander (in Dutch). Retrieved 24 January 2024.
- ^ "Verdediger Rio Hillen de komende maanden uit de roulatie met knieblessure". De Graafschap (in Dutch). 2 November 2023. Archived from the original on 3 November 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
- ^ "Rio Hillen: kop omhoog en borst vooruit". AFC Ajax (in Dutch). 8 October 2019. Archived from the original on 3 February 2021. Retrieved 9 July 2022.
- ^ Scheper, Ruud (19 September 2019). "Rio Hillen: 'Geen extra druk, zien het meer als een uitdaging'". Ons Oranje (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 24 August 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
- ^ Rio Hillen at Soccerway
External links edit
- Rio Hillen at Soccerway
- OnsOranje U15 Profile
- OnsOranje U17 Profile