Arjan van Heusden (born 11 December 1972) is a Dutch former professional football goalkeeper who played much of his career in the English Football League.
Career Van Heusden began his career in his native Netherlands with VV Noordwijk, moving to England in December 1993 for a trial with Port Vale, signing permanently in May 1994 for a fee of £4,500. He joined up with fellow Dutchman Robin van der Laan, who had already established himself in John Rudge's squad. However, Van Heusden failed to dislodge the ever-reliable Paul Musselwhite and so joined Oxford United on loan in September 1997, playing 11 league games.
In August 1998, he moved to Cambridge United on a free transfer. He played 42 league games in two seasons before moving to Exeter City in August 2000. He missed just five league games of the 2000–01 campaign. After stalling on Exeter's offer of a fresh contract in April 2002 he signed within the club's ten-day limit, though this failed to put an end to speculation over his future.
In August 2002, he joined Scottish side Clyde on a short-term deal before returning to England to play for Mansfield Town the following month as Mansfield were in the midst of a goalkeeping injury crisis. In November 2002 he joined Torquay United, initially on non-contract terms, later signing a longer contract after establishing himself as the first choice keeper. He struggled with injury in the 2004–05 season and subsequently retired from professional football and returned to the Netherlands where he resumed his playing career with FC Lisse.
Career statistics + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsPort Vale1994–95First Division200000201995–96First Division700020901996–97First Division13000401701997–98First Division50000050Total2700060330Oxford United (loan)1997–98First Division1100020130Cambridge United1998–99Third Division27000703401999–2000Second Division1501030190Total42010100530Exeter City2000–01Third Division41010104302001–02Third Division3303020380Total7404030810Mansfield Town2002–03Second Division50000050Torquay United2002–03Third Division15010001602003–04Third Division25010102702004–05League One70002090Total4702030520Career total2060702402370
References