Jan Paul van Hecke

A front-foot defender who plays with courage and control, comfortable defending high and stepping out to win the ball. Strong in duels, sharp in anticipation and increasingly influential in Brighton’s build-up.

Netherlands | Defender

Your Player Snapshot.

Van Hecke is a proactive centre-back who defends aggressively, wins aerial battles and helps Brighton keep possession with calm passing.

He’s comfortable in open space, reads danger early and suits a high line because he trusts his timing and recovery pace.

Season Snapshot

League only
Minutes played
1890
90.00 per match
Tackles won
17
Interceptions
18
Clean sheets contributed
107
as defensive proxy

Team Stats

Per 90 & season totals
Appearances
21
Minutes played
1890
Tackles won
17
Interceptions
18
Clearances
107
Blocks
19

League Rankings

Among Premier League Stats defenders
Tackles won
42nd of 152
Interceptions
38th of 156
Clearances
20th of 164
Blocks
7th of 145

Upcoming Brighton Fixtures

Play along with van Hecke on the Match Bingo app

img English Premier League
FUL
FUL
15:00
Sat 24 Jan
 BHA
BHA
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BHA
BHA
15:00
Sat 31 Jan
 EVE
EVE
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BRE
BRE
15:00
Sat 21 Feb
 BHA
BHA
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BHA
BHA
15:00
Sat 28 Feb
 NFO
NFO
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BHA
BHA
20:00
Wed 4 Mar
 ARS
ARS

Real Stats, Real Players, Unreal Categories.

Jan Paul van Hecke: The Front-Foot Defender

Brighton’s brave centre-back, built to step in early and keep the line high.

Van Hecke plays like a defender who wants to impose himself. He steps out to engage, wins duels cleanly and doesn’t allow forwards to settle into the game. In Brighton’s approach, where the back line often holds high and asks defenders to defend space behind them, that bravery matters, because it means the team can stay aggressive without fear.

With the ball, he’s grown into a calm distributor. He plays into midfield, shifts the angle and doesn’t rush, allowing Brighton to build attacks patiently before accelerating. He isn’t a showy passer, but he is reliable, and reliability in possession is what allows Brighton’s style to function against strong presses.

All things Brighton

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