The summer transfer window has now closed and Derby County’s squad, until January at least, is now in place.
Six signings came in, the last of which was Maikel Kieftenbeld from Birmingham City for an undisclosed fee.
Reunited with Gary Rowett, he has signed a two-year contract with the Rams and here, dcfc.co.uk has taken a look back at his career to date and how a wholehearted midfielder rose through the Dutch ranks to become a leader and lift silverware, before moving to England to become an ‘invaluable’ player to Rowett.
Age: 27
Position: Midfielder
Nationality: Dutch
Previous Clubs: Go Ahead Eagles, Groningen & Birmingham City
His Background…
You could say Kieftenbeld was always destined to be a sportsman of some sort.
It is in his blood after all.
His mother and one of his sisters played volleyball, his other sister rode horses, while his father played amateur level football in the family’s homeland in Lemelerveld.
It was clear that Maikel was always going to follow his father’s footsteps and he began playing football at the age of five.
As keen he was on football, education was key too. After attending Hartschool Primary School, he took up a college course in business economics and combined that by playing youth football at FC Twente.
He didn’t finish the business course. The reason? A career in football was just about to take off…
Bouncing Back To Make The Grade…
As a young and aspiring teenager with a dream, Kieftenbeld was spotted by scouts from Twente in 2003 – his first big break through in Dutch football.
There was a setback four years later, however, as he was deemed not up to standard by the club’s coaching staff and he sought a fresh challenge.
His next port of call took him to Derventer-based second division outfit Go Ahead Eagles.
Kieftenbeld made a swift impression, especially during the following pre-season on a training camp in Germany and his first team bow came in August 2008 in a match against VVV-Venlo – even before he had signed his professional contract!
He ended his first year having made 30 league appearances. The midfielder had in fact proven he was up to standard.
Kieftenbeld’s final season with Go Ahead Eagles saw him help the club reach the final round of the promotion play-offs as they sought to return to the Eredivisie, the top-flight of Dutch football.
A defeat to Willem II dashed those hopes, but the dynamic midfielder was destined for bigger things. He was linked with AZ Alkmaar, the then reigning Dutch champions, but after that deal fell through, Groningen made their move.
Becoming A Leader, Lifting Silverware & Giving Back To The Community...
Kieftenbeld’s memorable five-year journey Groningen began in June 2010.
The midfielder made 150 appearances and during that time he helped the club return to the Europa League (albeit briefly), lift the KNVB Cup, become a captain and was twice recognised for the work that he was doing in the community!
Initially deployed at right back in his first season, he was back in his more familiar midfield territory from 2011 onwards and was named as the supporters’ Player of the Year in 2012 for his dynamic displays and never-say-die attitude.
On the face of it, Kieftenbeld’s real breakthrough year came over 2013/14.
This is a guy that loves a tackle! And after collecting nine yellow cards in each of his previous three seasons. That number was curbed as he became a real midfield general following his appointment as vice-captain.
Despite that, he wore the captain’s armband on a regular basis and was described as the ‘inspiration’ behind a 10-match unbeaten run that ultimately helped Groningen secure their Europa League return for the first time in seven years.
His efforts saw him labelled as a ‘worthy ambassador’ to the club, on and off the field, by the club’s technical director, Henk Veldmate.
Their stay in Europe was brief, but Kieftenbeld, as captain, and Groningen bounced back to lift their first major trophy as they won the KNVB Cup at the end of the 2014/15 season by beating the reigning cup holder PEC Zwolle.
After a successful five-years, the midfielder had, naturally, attracted interest. It was time for a new challenge.
Becoming Rowett’s Midfield Gem…
England and Birmingham City was Kieftenbeld’s next destination. Could he bring the qualities he had shown his homeland to a new environment and an ever-improving Blues side? Absolutely.
In from the start, he was a regular in the middle of the park for Gary Rowett – then Birmingham manager – as they achieved a second consecutive tenth placed finish in the Championship.
He would go on to be described as ‘invaluable’ by Rowett.
Notably, Kieftenbeld scored a screamer against the Rams in 2016 during something of a purple-patch in front of goal for the midfielder.
He had only scored five goals in over 200 appearances in Holland, but scored three in 22 days during January and it was no surprise that he was nominated for the Championship Player of the Month award.
Whilst last year was a season of struggle for Birmingham, Kieftenbeld continued to be a regular and made a further 42 appearances as the Blues avoided relegation on the very last day of the 2016/17 season.
On the face of it, it is no surprise at all that Rowett moved to reunite himself with the midfielder on transfer deadline day.
International Recognition…
After breaking through at Go Ahead Eagles and earning his move to Groningen, Kieftenbeld had also caught the eye of his nation’s Beloftenelftal (Promises Team).
In simple terms, this is a Netherlands Under-21s squad, which creates a bridge between the Under-19s and full Under-21 set-up.
After one appearance, he was promoted to the latter and made his debut as a second half substitute 2011 European Championship qualifier against Liechtenstein and represented his nation at Under-21 level a further four times.
Kieftenbeld also played at the 2012 Toulon Tournament – again for Beloftenelftal side – and starred in four of their five games.
