What happened to Etienne Vaessen? The Dutch football goalkeeper suffered a severe injury that saw him knocked unconscious in a clash with an opposing player. His biography explored.
Ajax Amsterdam’s Dutch league away game against RKC Waalwijk was abandoned in the 84th minute on Saturday after goalkeeper Etienne Vaessen suffered a devastating injury.
The shot-stopper was knocked unconscious on the pitch in a sickening collision with Ajax’s Brian Brobbey.
Here’s what we know about him, his fortune and salary, and what happened to him.
Who is Etienne Vaessen?
Etienne Vaessen (real name: Zian Nate Vaessen) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for RKC Waalwijk in the Eredivisie.
He was born on 26 July 1995, in Breda, Netherlands.
The 28-year-old soccer star stands at a height of 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) tall.
He made his professional debut in the Eerste Divisie for RKC Waalwijk on 12 August 2016 in a game against FC Emmen. There, he came on as a substitute in the 22nd minute for the injured Tamati Williams.
On 28 May 2019, Vaessen won promotion to the Eredivisie with RKC after a season finale showdown against Go Ahead Eagles, which ended in a 4–5 win.
While working as a guard for MediaMarkt and playing amateur football in 2014, Vaessen was stabbed while chasing a shoplifter, leaving him hospitalised for days.
What are Etienne Vaessen’s net worth and salary?
Dutch goalkeeper, Etienne Vaessen has accumulated a sizable fortune that makes him a millionaire for his years as a soccer star.
He has earned an estimated current net worth of at least $1 million and per a report, he makes a gross salary of €40000 on his remaining contract with RKC Waalwijk (Eredivisie), which is slated to expire on Jun 30, 2024.
According to Transfer Market, Etienne Vaessen’s highest market value as of 2023 stands at €1.00 million.
What happened to Etienne Vaessen?
RKC Waalwijk goalkeeper Etienne Vaessen collapsed and had to be resuscitated. He ‘didn’t know where he was’ and was ‘knocked out for a while’ after sickening collision in Dutch league match.
Players immediately called for physios to attend to Vaessen, 28, as he lay on the pitch motionless in worrying scenes.
His team-mates and manager Henk Fraser appeared visibly distraught as Vaessen received medical attention.
Stewards held up covers to shield the goalkeeper from view as medics attended to him.
Players walked off the pitch in tears as the game was abandoned.
Vaessen was eventually taken from the field on a stretcher, with his club revealing he regained consciousness.
RKC said: “After extensive medical examination, he is conscious and has been transported to hospital for further examination.
“We are extremely shocked by the incident. We wish Etienne a lot of strength and strength and hope to have him with us again soon.”
RKC director Frank van Mosselveld told Dutch broadcaster NOS: “Etienne was knocked out for a while.
“Our medical staff started reanimation straightaway but it looks like it wasn’t a problem with his heart. He was conscious again when he left the field but he did not know where he was.”
Ajax were leading the Eredivisie game 3-2 before it was called off.
The Dutch giants wished Vaessen well, tweeting: “The match has been temporarily halted due to an apparently serious medical situation. We are thinking of you, Etienne.
“This is about more than football. Praying you’re okay, Etienne.”