Kevin Diks

Kevin Diks Bakarbessy (born 6 October 1996) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a defender for Danish Superliga club Copenhagen.

Kevin Diks
Diks with Copenhagen during training in 2022
Personal information
Full nameKevin Diks Bakarbessy
Date of birth (1996-10-06) 6 October 1996 (age 27)[1]
Place of birthApeldoorn, Netherlands
Height1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)[2]
Position(s)Defender
Team information
Current team
Copenhagen
Number2
Youth career
2002–2004VIOS Vaassen
2004–2005AGOVV
2005–2014Vitesse
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2014–2016Vitesse II11(1)
2014–2016Vitesse56(2)
2016–2021Fiorentina2(0)
2017Vitesse (loan)11(0)
2017Vitesse II (loan)1(0)
2017–2018Feyenoord (loan)23(0)
2019Empoli (loan)0(0)
2019–2021AGF (loan)44(8)
2021–Copenhagen81(7)
International career
2014–2015Netherlands U194(0)
2015Netherlands U205(0)
2016–2018Netherlands U217(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 26 May 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 16 October 2018

Club career

Vitesse

Diks playing for Vitesse in 2015

Born in Apeldoorn, Diks joined Vitesse's youth setup in 2005, aged nine, after playing for VIOS Vaassen and hometown's AGOVV Apeldoorn. In the 2014 summer he was called to the main squad for the pre-season, also appearing in a 1–3 defeat against Chelsea.[3] On 24 August 2014, after profiting from first-choice Wallace's injury, Diks made his first-team – and Eredivisie – debut, starting in a 1–2 away loss against PEC Zwolle.[4] On 8 January of the following year, after being already a permanent part of the main squad, he renewed his link until 2018.[5]

Fiorentina

On 6 July 2016, Diks joined Serie A side Fiorentina on a five-year deal after impressing at Vitesse.[6] He later requested number 34 shirt in tribute to Abdelhak Nouri, who collapsed and suffered brain damage, ending his career.[7]

On 23 October 2016, three months after signing for the Italian side, Diks finally made his long-awaited debut in a 5–3 away victory against Cagliari, replacing Cristian Tello in the 88th minute.[8]

Vitesse (loan)

On 31 January 2017, Diks returned to Vitesse on loan for the remainder of the 2016–17 campaign, after failing to make his breakthrough whilst in Italy.[9] On 11 February 2017, Diks made his Vitesse return in their 2–0 home defeat against Willem II, playing the full 90 minutes.[10] On 5 April 2017, Diks got sent off for a second bookable offence during Vitesse's 1–0 away victory against Heracles Almelo.[11]

He came off the bench as Vitesse won the final of the KNVB Beker 2–0 against AZ Alkmaar on 30 April 2017 to help the club, three-time runners up, to the title for the first time in its 125-year history.[12][13]

Feyenoord (loan)

On 4 July 2017, Diks joined Feyenoord on a season-long loan.[14]

On 22 April 2018, he played as Feyenoord won the 2017–18 KNVB Cup final 3–0 against AZ Alkmaar.[15][16]

Empoli (loan)

On 31 January 2019, Diks joined Serie A side Empoli on loan until 30 June 2019.[17]

AGF (loan)

On transfer deadline day, 2 September 2019, Diks was loaned out to Danish Superliga club AGF for the 2019–20 season.[18] On 31 August 2020, the loan was renewed for the 2020–21 season.[19]

FC Copenhagen

On 5 July 2021, Diks returned to Denmark, signing a four-year deal with F.C. Copenhagen.[20]

International career

On 9 October 2014, Diks made his Netherlands U19 debut in a 7–0 victory against Andorra U19's, playing the first half before being replaced by Leeroy Owusu. Diks went on to make three more appearances before receiving a call-up to the under-20 squad. Diks has also represented at under-21 squad.

Personal life

Diks is the younger brother of Jamarro, who had a spell in the Slovakian league.[21]He is of Moluccan descent through his mother.[22][23]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 26 May 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueCupEuropeOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Vitesse2014–15Eredivisie220404[a]0300
2015–16302102[b]0332
Total522502040632
Fiorentina2016–17Serie A20000020
Vitesse (loan)2016–17Eredivisie11010120
Feyenoord (loan)2017–18Eredivisie230403[c]01[d]0310
Empoli (loan)2018–19Serie A000000
AGF (loan)2019–20Danish Superliga19120211
2020–212574100298
Total4486100509
Copenhagen2021–22Danish Superliga2620010[e]4366
2022–23241208[c]0341
2023–243143014[c]0484
Total8175032411311
Career total213172114945028327

Honours

Vitesse

Feyenoord

Copenhagen

Individual

References

External links