Jan Paul van Hecke

A Dutch centre-back who developed through NAC Breda and rose to Premier League prominence with Brighton & Hove Albion. He surpassed 100 Premier League appearances for the Seagulls and received his first senior Netherlands call-up in September 2024.

Van Hecke started professionally at NAC Breda in 2019 before Brighton signed him in 2020. Loan spells at Heerenveen and Blackburn Rovers — where he won the club's Player of the Season award for 2021–22 — helped him develop, and he became a Brighton regular from 2022 onwards.

He exceeded 100 Premier League appearances and was named Brighton Player of the Year for 2024–25, securing a contract extension through 2027. His form earned him his first Netherlands senior cap in September 2024, with further appearances ahead of the 2026 World Cup.