Damian van Bruggen (born 18 March 1996) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays for club Almere City. Mainly a centre-back, he can also play as a defensive midfielder or a full-back.
Club career Van Bruggen moved from Almere City to the Ajax youth academy at the start of the 2011–12 season. In March 2013, Van Bruggen signed his first professional contract with Ajax, at the age of 16.
Van Bruggen made his professional debut for Jong Ajax as a 61st-minute substitute for Ricardo van Rhijn in an Eerste Divisie match against Fortuna Sittard on 16 August 2014.
He moved on a season-long loan to Eredivisie club VVV-Venlo in August 2017. After a successful season, he joined the club on a permanent deal in May 2018.
Between 2020 and 2022, Van Bruggen played for Croatian clubs Inter Zaprešić and Slaven Belupo, then briefly joined Slovenian side Olimpija Ljubljana in February 2022. He returned to his native Netherlands in July 2022, rejoining his first club, Almere City. His stint at the club proved rewarding as he played a crucial role in their historic promotion to the Eredivisie during the 2022–23 season, scoring once in 43 league appearances, including the play-offs. Under Van Bruggen's captaincy, the team secured their promotion after a victory over Emmen in the play-off finals.
On 5 July 2024, Danish Superliga club Vejle Boldklub confirmed that they had signed van Bruggen on a deal until 30 June 2026.
On 7 August 2026, van Bruggen returned to Almere City on a one-season contract.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsJong Ajax2014–15Eerste Divisie312——3122015–16Eerste Divisie290——290Total602——602Jong PSV2016–17Eerste Divisie360——260VVV-Venlo (loan)2017–18Eredivisie26231—293VVV-Venlo2018–19Eredivisie18020—2002019–20Eredivisie4000—40Total22020—240Inter Zaprešić2019–20Croatian Football League16000—160Slaven Belupo2020–21Croatian Football League28130—3112021–22Croatian Football League21030—240Total49160—551Olimpija Ljubljana2021–22Slovenian PrvaLiga16000—160Almere City2022–23Eerste Divisie37120604412023–24Eerste Divisie31010—320Total6813060771Vejle Boldklub2024–25Danish Superliga0000—00Career total2936141603137
References
External links
Netherlands profile