Rob Wielaert

Robert Wielaert (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈrɔp ˈʋi.laːrt], born 29 December 1978 in Emmeloord, Flevoland) is a Dutch footballer who last played for Melbourne City.

Rob Wielaert

Wielaert with FC Twente in 2008.
Personal information
Full name	Robert Wielaert
Date of birth	29 December 1978
Place of birth	Emmeloord, Netherlands
Height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s)	Centre back
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1997–1999	PSV	7	(0)
1999–2001	Den Bosch	53	(2)
2001–2002	PSV	3	(0)
2002–2006	NEC	145	(11)
2006–2009	Twente	83	(3)
2009–2011	Ajax	19	(1)
2010–2011	→ Roda JC (loan)	30	(1)
2011–2013	Roda JC	47	(1)
2013–2015	Melbourne City [1]	37	(1)
National team
	Netherlands B	2
Teams managed
2016–	Box Hill United SC (youth assistant)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 11 May 2015

Club career

Career in the Netherlands (1997–2013)

Wielaert is a defender who was born in Emmeloord and made his debut in professional football with PSV Eindhoven in the 1997–98 season. He also played for FC Den Bosch and NEC before joining FC Twente.[2] During his FC Twente period he was the captain of the team.

During the 2009 January transfer period he went to Ajax for a transfer fee of 3 million. However, he lost his starting position and was sent on loan to Roda JC at the start of the 2010/11 season. He signed for two seasons with Roda in the summer of 2011. After his contract had expired in 2013, Wielaert was released.

Career with Melbourne Heart / City (2013–2015)

In June 2013, Wielaert was signed by Australian club Melbourne Heart in the A-League. The Dutchman had never played outside of the Netherlands and was optimistic about playing in Australia:

"I have played all of my career in the Netherlands and now it is an exciting time to play abroad. So when Melbourne Heart contacted me, I was enthusiastic immediately. The club sounds great, the city and the country too, so I am looking forward to giving everything for this club and the people around it."[3]

Wielaert scored his first goal for his new club and was the opening goal in the Melbourne Derby against Melbourne Victory on 25 October 2014 in front of 43,729 fans. City went on to lose the match 5-2.[4]

On 13 April 2015, Wielaert was released by the club.[5]

Coaching

Box Hill United SC

Upon retiring, Wielaert commenced his coaching education, and as of 2018 is assistant coach at Box_Hill_United_SC, whilst studying for his B-License.

Statistics

As of 11 May 2015

Season	Club	Competition	Apps	Goals
1997/98	PSV	Eredivisie	1	0
1998/99	PSV	Eredivisie	0	0
1999/00	PSV	Eredivisie	6	0
	FC Den Bosch	Eredivisie	20	0
2000/01	FC Den Bosch	Eerste Divisie	33	2
2001/02	PSV	Eredivisie	3	0
	NEC	Eredivisie	25	1
2002/03	NEC	Eredivisie	32	3
2003/04	NEC	Eredivisie	32	4
2004/05	NEC	Eredivisie	27	2
2005/06	NEC	Eredivisie	29	1
2006/07	FC Twente	Eredivisie	34	2
2007/08	FC Twente	Eredivisie	32	1
2008/09	FC Twente	Eredivisie	17	0
	Ajax	Eredivisie	16	1
2009/10	Ajax	Eredivisie	3	0
2010/11	Roda JC	Eredivisie	30	1
2011/12	Roda JC	Eredivisie	27	1
2012/13	Roda JC	Eredivisie	20	0
2013/14	Melbourne Heart	A-League	26	0
2014/15	Melbourne City	A-League	11	1
Total			424	20

References

1. The team was known as Melbourne Heart prior to 2014
2. "Rob Wielaert" (in Dutch). Voetbal International. Retrieved 15 February 2010.
3. "Melbourne Heart sign defender Rob Wielaert". SB Nation. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
4. "MATCH REPORT: Melbourne City FC suffer Derby defeat". Melbourne City FC. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
5. "Melbourne City FC Player Update". Melbourne City FC. Retrieved 13 May 2015.