Jens Cools
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 16 October 1990 | ||
| Place of birth | Westerlo, Belgium | ||
| Height | 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)[1] | ||
| Position | Defensive midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | ASV Geel | ||
| Number | 22 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1997–2010 | Westerlo | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2010–2016 | Westerlo | 147 | (10) |
| 2016–2018 | Waasland-Beveren | 49 | (5) |
| 2018–2019 | Pafos | 25 | (6) |
| 2019–2022 | Eupen | 73 | (3) |
| 2022 | Al-Riyadh | 7 | (1) |
| 2023–2024 | Lierse | 24 | (1) |
| 2024–2025 | Jong Westel | 18 | (1) |
| 2025 | → Houtvenne (loan) | ||
| 2025– | ASV Geel | 12 | (1) |
| International career | |||
| 2011 | Belgium U21 | 2 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 12 May 2024 | |||
Jens Cools (born 16 October 1990) is a Belgian professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Belgian Division 3 club ASV Geel. He gained two caps for the Belgium under-21 team.
Westerlo
In the 2009–10 season, Cools was promoted from the youth academy to the first team of Westerlo, the club from the municipality where he grew up.[2] He made his professional debut one season later. After having played for six seasons in the first team, Cools' contract expired at the end of the 2015–16 season, as a result of which he left Westerlo on a free transfer.[2] A key player of the club during his time there, Cools managed to make 161 appearances for the club, in which he scored 12 goals.[1]
Waasland-Beveren
On 1 July 2016, Cools moved Waasland-Beveren after having been convinced by their manager Stijn Vreven. Cools signed a two-year contract.[3] He made 51 appearances for the club during his two seasons there, in which he scored two goals.[1]
Pafos
After two seasons, he chose to accept an offer from Cypriot club Pafos.[4] He experienced a strong season there in which he scored six goals in 25 appearances.[1]
Eupen
After playing in Cyprus for one season, Cools expressed a wish to return to his home country.[5] On 16 July 2019, Eupen announced that he had signed a three-year contract with them.[6] In his first season there, he made 27 appearances and scored one goal.[1]
In October 2020, he tested positive for SARS‑CoV‑2 during the COVID-19 pandemic.[7] Despite being sidelined for some time with the disease, Cools made 26 appearances and scored one goal during the 2020–21 season,[1] as Eupen finished mid-table in a disappointing 12th place.[8]
Al-Riyadh
On 26 July 2022, Cools joined Saudi Arabian club Al-Riyadh.[9][10] In December 2022, he was released by the club due to repeated injuries.[11]
Lierse
On 7 January 2023, Cools signed a year-and-a-half contract with Lierse.[12]
International career
Cools was called into the Belgian under-21 squad in March 2011. He made his debut for the Belgium under-21s on 24 March, replacing Luis Pedro Cavanda in the 82nd minute of a 1–0 win against Scotland.[13][14]