{{short description|Dutch footballer (born 1999)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Caitlin Dijkstra | image = Caitlin Dijkstra-20181021 162537767 HDR (cropped).jpg | image_size = | caption = Dijkstra with [[AFC Ajax (women)|Ajax]] in 2018 | fullname = Caitlin Johanna Philomena Dijkstra<ref>{{cite web |url=https://fdp.fifa.org/assetspublic/ce93/pdf/SquadLists-English.pdf |title=FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 – Squad List: Netherlands (NED) |publisher=[[FIFA]] |page=18 |date=11 July 2023 |access-date=11 July 2023}}</ref> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1999|1|30|df=yes}} | birth_place = [[Breda]], Netherlands | height = 1.70 m<ref name=FIFA>{{cite web |title=Official List of Players U20WWC |url=https://img.fifa.com/image/upload/y2ggt9oloxrz5synr6vy.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726170144/https://img.fifa.com/image/upload/y2ggt9oloxrz5synr6vy.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 26, 2018 |publisher=FIFA.com |date=25 July 2018}}</ref> | position = [[Defender (association football)|Defender]] | currentclub = [[VfL Wolfsburg (women)|VfL Wolfsburg]] | clubnumber = 3 | youthyears1 = 2005–2015 | youthclubs1 = RKVV JEKA | youthyears2 = 2015–2018 | youthclubs2 = CTO Eindhoven | years1 = 2018–2021 | clubs1 = [[AFC Ajax (women)|Ajax]] | caps1 = 38 | goals1 = 0 | years2 = 2021–2023 | clubs2 = [[FC Twente (women)|Twente]] | caps2 = 42 | goals2 = 7 | years3 = 2023– | clubs3 = [[VfL Wolfsburg (women)|VfL Wolfsburg]] | caps3 = 29 | goals3 = 2 | years4 = 2023–2024 | clubs4 = → [[FC Twente (women)|Twente]] (loan) | caps4 = 22 | goals4 = 1 | nationalyears1 = 2015–2016 | nationalteam1 = [[Netherlands women's national under-17 football team|Netherlands U17]] | nationalcaps1 = 3 | nationalgoals1 = 0 | nationalyears2 = 2016–2018 | nationalteam2 = [[Netherlands women's national under-19 football team|Netherlands U19]] | nationalcaps2 = 26 | nationalgoals2 = 1 | nationalyears3 = 2018 | nationalteam3 = Netherlands U20 | nationalcaps3 = 6 | nationalgoals3 = 0 | nationalyears4 = 2019–2021 | nationalteam4 = Netherlands U23 | nationalcaps4 = 9 | nationalgoals4 = 1 | nationalyears5 = 2021– | nationalteam5 = [[Netherlands women's national football team|Netherlands]] | nationalcaps5 = 35 | nationalgoals5 = 1 | pcupdate = 17 May 2026 | ntupdate = 3 March 2026 }}
'''Caitlin Johanna Philomena Dijkstra''' (born 30 January 1999) is a Dutch professional [[Association football|footballer]] who plays as [[Defender (association football)|defender]] for [[Frauen-Bundesliga]] club [[VfL Wolfsburg (women)|VfL Wolfsburg]] and the [[Netherlands women's national football team|Netherlands national team]]. She will join [[Women's Super League]] club [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Women|Tottenham Hotspur]] on 18 June 2026.
==Club career== Dijkstra's father [[Meindert Dijkstra|Meindert]] was a professional footballer, though both are in no way related to [[Edsger W. Dijkstra]]. She grew up in [[Breda]] as a supporter of [[NAC Breda|NAC]], but played for RKVV JEKA as NAC had no girls' section.<ref>{{cite news |title=Caitlin Dijkstra droomt van profvoetbal |url=https://www.ad.nl/breda/caitlin-dijkstra-droomt-van-profvoetbal~ae211395/ |access-date=11 December 2021 |publisher=[[Algemeen Dagblad]] |date=27 October 2009 |language=Dutch}}</ref> She progressed to CTO Eindhoven, where she combined football with studies, before she signed for reigning national champions [[AFC Ajax (women)|AFC Ajax]] in 2018.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kas |first1=Dennis |title=Caitlin Dijkstra langer bij Ajax: contractverlenging voor verdediger uit Breda |url=https://www.bndestem.nl/nederlands-voetbal/caitlin-dijkstra-langer-bij-ajax-contractverlenging-voor-verdediger-uit-breda~a820ea4f/ |publisher=[[BN DeStem]] |date=20 August 2020 |language=Dutch}}</ref> She made her first team debut that October as a [[Substitute (association football)|substitute]] in a daunting [[2018–19 UEFA Women's Champions League knockout phase|2018–19 UEFA Women's Champions League]] tie with [[Olympique Lyonnais Féminin|Lyon]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=van Lieshout |first1=Amber |title=Basisdebuut voor Dijkstra: ''Een beetje spanning heb je wel'' |url=https://www.vrouwenvoetbalnieuws.nl/basisdebuut-voor-dijkstra-een-beetje-spanning-heb-je-wel/ |access-date=11 December 2021 |publisher=Vrouwenvoetbal Nieuws |date=22 October 2018 |language=Dutch}}</ref> With Ajax she won the [[KNVB Women's Cup]] in her first season with the club.<ref>{{cite news |title=Caitlin Dijkstra uit Breda wint met Ajax beker dankzij goal in blessuretijd |url=https://www.bndestem.nl/nederlands-voetbal/caitlin-dijkstra-uit-breda-wint-met-ajax-beker-dankzij-goal-in-blessuretijd~a26ac0ab/ |access-date=11 December 2021 |publisher=[[BN DeStem]] |date=11 May 2019 |language=Dutch}}</ref>
In April 2021 Dijkstra decided to leave Ajax for [[FC Twente (women)|FC Twente]] upon the expiry of her contract that summer. Ajax's acquisition of [[Stefanie van der Gragt]] had reduced Dijkstra's opportunities to play in her favoured defensive role. At Twente Dijkstra signed for one year with the option of an additional year.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Derksen |first1=Linda |title=Caitlin Dijkstra uit Breda wil met hoofdprijs afsluiten bij Ajax: 'Als we alles winnen, staan wij met de schaal in onze handen' |url=https://www.bndestem.nl/regiosport/caitlin-dijkstra-uit-breda-wil-met-hoofdprijs-afsluiten-bij-ajax-als-we-alles-winnen-staan-wij-met-de-schaal-in-onze-handen~abbf450ea/ |access-date=11 December 2021 |publisher=[[BN DeStem]] |date=2 May 2021 |language=Dutch}}</ref> She made her league debut against [[VV Alkmaar]] on 27 August 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2021/08/27/netherlands/vrouwen-eredivisie/fc-twente/telstar-vrouwenvoetbal-noord-holland/3535575/|title=Twente vs Alkmaar - 27 August 2021|website=int.soccerway.com}}</ref> Dijkstra scored her first league goal against [[Excelsior Rotterdam (women)|Excelsior]] on 19 December 2021, scoring in the 75th minute.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2021/12/19/netherlands/vrouwen-eredivisie/netherlands-sbv-excelsior--bvv-barendrecht/fc-twente/3535629/|title=Excelsior vs Twente - 19 December 2021|website=int.soccerway.com}}</ref>
On 22 June 2023, it was announced that Dijkstra would leave Twente to join [[VfL Wolfsburg (women)|Wolfsburg]], but would spend one more year on loan at Twente.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fctwente.nl/nieuws/caitlin-dijkstra-speelt-komend-seizoen-voor-fc-twente-vrouwen|title=Caitlin Dijkstra speelt komend seizoen voor FC Twente Vrouwen Caitlin Dijkstra speelt komend seizoen voor FC Twente Vrouwen|language=Dutch|website=FC Twente}}</ref> During her second spell at the club, she made her league debut against [[SC Telstar VVNH|Telstar]] on 16 September 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/09/16/netherlands/vrouwen-eredivisie/telstar/fc-twente/4172511/|title=Telstar vs Twente - 16 September 2023|website=int.soccerway.com}}</ref> During her second spell, Dijkstra scored her first league goal against [[FC Utrecht (women)|Utrecht]] on 21 April 2024, scoring in the 90th minute.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/04/21/netherlands/vrouwen-eredivisie/fc-utrecht/fc-twente/4172618/|title=Utrecht vs Twente - 21 April 2024|website=int.soccerway.com}}</ref>
On 27 May 2026, [[Women's Super League]] club [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Women|Tottenham Hotspur]] announced the signing of Dijkstra.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/crmp03w3x7vo|title=Netherlands defender Dijkstra signs for Spurs|date=27 May 2026|access-date=27 May 2026}}</ref>
==International career==
At youth level Dijkstra played three times for the [[Netherlands women's national under-17 football team]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Caitlin Dijkstra |url=https://www.onsoranje.nl/teams/210486/speler/20378 |website=Ons Oranje |publisher=[[Royal Dutch Football Association]] |access-date=11 December 2021 |language=Dutch}}</ref> and 26 times for the [[Netherlands women's national under-19 football team]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Caitlin Dijkstra |url=https://www.onsoranje.nl/teams/210484/speler/20378 |website=Ons Oranje |publisher=[[Royal Dutch Football Association]] |access-date=11 December 2021 |language=Dutch}}</ref> She played six times at under-20 level, including at the [[2018 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup]] in France.<ref name=FIFA /><ref>{{cite web |title=Caitlin Dijkstra |url=https://www.onsoranje.nl/teams/327978/speler/20378 |website=Ons Oranje |publisher=[[Royal Dutch Football Association]] |access-date=11 December 2021 |language=Dutch}}</ref> She then served as [[Captain (association football)|captain]] of the under-23 selection.<ref>{{cite news |title=Finish the Sentence {{!}} Hoe Caitlin Dijkstra zich meer wil gaan onderscheiden |url=https://www.ajax.nl/artikelen/hoe-caitlin-dijkstra-zich-meer-wil-gaan-onderscheiden/ |access-date=11 December 2021 |publisher=[[AFC Ajax]] |date=23 April 2021 |language=Dutch}}</ref>
In September 2021, national team [[Coach (sports)|coach]] [[Mark Parsons]] called up Dijkstra to the senior [[Netherlands women's national football team|Netherlands]] squad for the first time.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Francke |first1=Corrado |title=Caitlin Dijkstra kan niet wachten tot ze in actie komt voor Oranje |url=https://www.omroepbrabant.nl/nieuws/3995589/caitlin-dijkstra-kan-niet-wachten-tot-ze-in-actie-komt-voor-oranje |access-date=11 December 2021 |publisher=[[Omroep Brabant]] |date=26 November 2021 |language=Dutch}}</ref> On 29 November 2021 she played the full match in a 0–0 [[Exhibition game|friendly]] draw with [[Japan women's national football team|Japan]] in The Hague to win her first official [[Cap (sports)|cap]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Oranjevrouwen komen niet tot scoren in bloedeloos duel met Japan |url=https://nos.nl/artikel/2407585-oranjevrouwen-komen-niet-tot-scoren-in-bloedeloos-duel-met-japan |access-date=2 December 2021 |publisher=[[Nederlandse Omroep Stichting]] |date=29 November 2021 |language=Dutch}}</ref> She scored her first goal on 19 February 2022 in a 3–0 victory against [[Finland women's national football team|Finland]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.onsoranje.nl/teams/207834/uitslagen/wedstrijd/333998|title = Finland - Nederland}}</ref>
On 31 May 2023, she was named as part of the Netherlands provisional squad for the [[2023 FIFA Women's World Cup]].<ref>{{Cite web |author1=Mark White |date=2023-06-05 |title=Netherlands Women's World Cup 2023 squad: 30-player preliminary team named |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/netherlands-women-world-cup-2023-squad-team-roster-players-holland |access-date=2023-06-20 |website=fourfourtwo.com |language=en}}</ref>
Alongside [[Lize Kop]] and [[Romée Leuchter]], Dijkstra had to drop out of the Netherlands squad. They were replaced by [[Jacintha Weimar]], [[Ilse van der Zanden]] and [[Fenna Kalma]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sportnieuws.nl/voetbal/nieuws/lize-kop-caitlin-dijkstra-en-romee-leuchter-haken-af-bij-oranje-leeuwinnen-dit-zijn-de-drie-vervangers-2024052713363800938/|title=Bondscoach Andries Jonker heeft maandag bekendgemaakt dat Lize Kop, Caitlin Dijkstra en Romée Leuchter geblesseerd zijn afgehaakt bij de Oranje Leeuwinnen. Op 31 mei en op 4 juni spelen de Leeuwinnen twee EK-kwalificatiewedstrijden tegen Finland.|language=Dutch|website=Sport Nieuws}}</ref>
==Personal life==
Dijkstra is in a relationship with Vera ten Westeneind.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.helden.media/verhalen/caitlin-dijkstra-alles-is-liefde/|title=Caitlin Dijkstra Alles is liefde|language=Dutch|first=Marlies van Cleeff|last=Kelly van Tilborg|website=Helden Media |date=9 November 2021 }}</ref>
==Career statistics== ===International=== {{updated|match played 3 March 2026}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.onsoranje.nl/teams/207834/speler/20378|title = OnsOranje}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+ Appearances and goals by national team and year |- !National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="6"|[[Netherlands women's national football team|Netherlands]] |2021||1||0 |- |2022||5||1 |- |2023||13||0 |- |2024||4||0 |- |2025||11||0 |- |2026||1||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total||35||1 |}
:''Scores and results list Netherlands' goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Dijkstra goal.''
{| class="wikitable sortable" |+ List of international goals scored by Caitlin Dijkstra |- !scope="col"|No. !scope="col"|Date !scope="col"|Venue !scope="col"|Opponent !scope="col"|Score !scope="col"|Result !scope="col"|Competition |- | align="center"|1 || 19 February 2022 || [[Stade Océane]], [[Le Havre]], France || {{fbw|FIN}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|3–0 || [[2022 Tournoi de France]] |}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category}} * {{Soccerway|caitlin-dijkstra/427233}}
{{VfL Wolfsburg (women) squad}} {{Navboxes |title = Netherlands squads |bg = #F1771D |fg = #FFFFFF |bordercolor = #000000 |list1 = {{Netherlands squad UEFA Women's Euro 2022}} {{Netherlands squad 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup}} {{Netherlands squad UEFA Women's Euro 2025}} }}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dijkstra, Caitlin}} [[Category:1999 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Dutch women's footballers]] [[Category:Eredivisie (women) players]] [[Category:FC Twente (women) players]] [[Category:Netherlands women's youth international footballers]] [[Category:Netherlands women's international footballers]] [[Category:AFC Ajax (women) players]] [[Category:Frauen-Bundesliga players]] [[Category:VfL Wolfsburg (women) players]] [[Category:Footballers from Breda]] [[Category:Women's association football defenders]] [[Category:UEFA Women's Euro 2022 players]] [[Category:2023 FIFA Women's World Cup players]] [[Category:Dutch expatriate sportspeople in Germany]] [[Category:Expatriate women's footballers in Germany]] [[Category:21st-century Dutch sportswomen]] [[Category:Dutch expatriate women's footballers]] [[Category:UEFA Women's Euro 2025 players]] [[Category:Expatriate sportspeople in Germany]]