Rein Van Helden
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 24 July 2002 | ||
| Place of birth | Genk, Belgium | ||
| Height | 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)[1] | ||
| Position | Centre-back | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Antwerp | ||
| Number | 20 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2007–2011 | Genker VV | ||
| 2011–2016 | KRC Genk | ||
| 2016–2021 | Sint-Truiden | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2021–2026 | Sint-Truiden | 77 | (2) |
| 2022–2023 | → MVV (loan) | 33 | (3) |
| 2026– | Antwerp | 0 | (0) |
| International career | |||
| 2024 | Belgium U21 | 2 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 22 January 2026 | |||
Rein Van Helden (born 24 July 2002) is a Belgian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Belgian Pro League club Antwerp.
Sint-Truiden
Van Helden joined the Genk youth academy in 2011 from his childhood club Genker VV. Five years later he moved to the Sint-Truiden academy. He signed his first professional contract with the club in May 2021,[2] after having torn the anterior cruciate ligament on his right knee a few months earlier in February 2021.[3]
Loan to MVV
On 13 August 2022, Van Helden joined Eerste Divisie club MVV on a one-season loan deal.[4] There, he made his professional debut on 19 August 2022, replacing Mart Remans in injury time of a 3–1 league win over ADO Den Haag.[5][6] After a difficult start, where he was mainly a substitute, he made his first start for MVV on 16 September in a 4–1 win over Jong Ajax as a replacement for the injured Matteo Waem.[7] He put in a strong performance during the game, and would remain a starter in central defense from then on.[8][9] On 30 September in a home game against Willem II, Van Helden scored his first professional goal, heading home the 3–2 winner for MVV in the 95th minute to complete a comeback from 2–0 down.[10][11]
Return to Sint-Truiden
Van Helden returned to Sint-Truiden at the end of the season, and stated that he was determined to compete for playing time in the new season.[12]
Antwerp
On 23 January 2026, Van Helden joined Antwerp on a four-and-a-half-year contract.[13]
Personal life
Van Helden is the son of Koen Van Helden, who played professional football for Patro Eisden Maasmechelen, but had to retire prematurely due to a skull fracture.[14][15] He would later go on to coach Bilzerse Waltwilder VV, Eendracht Mechelen-aan-de-Maas and KFC Park Houthalen.[15][16]
