{{short description|Dutch footballer (born 1993)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Mitchell Dijks | image = Mitchell Dijks (2017).jpg | caption = Mitchell Dijks with Ajax in 2017 | fullname = Mitchell Clement Dijks<ref name="WF">{{cite web |title=Mitchell Dijks |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe279821/mitchell-dijks/ |website=worldfootball.net |date=23 May 2018 |access-date=28 March 2021 |language=en}}</ref> | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1993|2|9|df=y}} | birth_place = Purmerend, Netherlands | height = 1.94 m<ref name="WF" /> | position = Left back | currentclub = Nam Định | clubnumber = 24 | youthyears1 = 2003–2009 | youthclubs1 = Volendam | youthyears2 = 2009–2012 | youthclubs2 = Ajax | years1 = 2012–2014 | clubs1 = Ajax | caps1 = 6 | goals1 = 0 | years2 = 2013–2014 | clubs2 = → Heerenveen (loan) | caps2 = 24 | goals2 = 0 | years3 = 2014–2015 | clubs3 = Willem II | caps3 = 28 | goals3 = 0 | years4 = 2015–2018 | clubs4 = Ajax | caps4 = 50 | goals4 = 0 | years5 = 2017 | clubs5 = → Norwich City (loan) | caps5 = 15 | goals5 = 1 | years6 = 2017–2018 | clubs6 = Jong Ajax | caps6 = 3 | goals6 = 0 | years7 = 2018–2022 | clubs7 = Bologna | caps7 = 74 | goals7 = 1 | years8 = 2022–2023 | clubs8 = Vitesse | caps8 = 7 | goals8 = 0 | years9 = 2023–2025 | clubs9 = Fortuna Sittard | caps9 = 56 | goals9 = 0 | years10 = 2025– | clubs10 = Nam Định | caps10 = 0 | goals10 = 0 | nationalyears1 = 2009 | nationalteam1 = Netherlands U16 | nationalcaps1 = 1 | nationalgoals1 = 1 | nationalyears2 = 2010–2011 | nationalteam2 = Netherlands U18 | nationalcaps2 = 6 | nationalgoals2 = 0 | nationalyears3 = 2012 | nationalteam3 = Netherlands U19 | nationalcaps3 = 3 | nationalgoals3 = 0 | nationalyears4 = 2012–2013 | nationalteam4 = Netherlands U21 | nationalcaps4 = 3 | nationalgoals4 = 0 | club-update = 10 June 2025 | ntupdate = }}
'''Mitchell Clement Dijks''' ({{IPA|nl|ˈmɪtɕəl ˈdɛiks}}; born 9 February 1993) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a left back for V.League 1 club Nam Định.
==Club career==
===Ajax=== Born in Purmerend, Dijks was recruited into the youth ranks of then AFC Ajax partner club FC Volendam in 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://fside.ucoz.com/blog/2009-07-20-106|title=Convenant Ajax en FC Volendam lijkt te gaan leven|date=20 July 2009|publisher=F-Side.nl|accessdate=29 August 2013|archive-date=3 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090803113307/http://fside.ucoz.com/blog/2009-07-20-106|url-status=dead}}</ref> While playing for the Ajax A1 youth squad in 2011–12, Dijks helped his side to win the Nike Eredivisie league title,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://bin617-02.website-voetbal.nl/sites/voetbal.nl/files/04%20A%20-%20Beste%20spelers%20A-jun%20eredivisie.pdf|title=Beste Spelers Nike A-junioren Eredivisie seizoen 2011/'12|date=26 January 2012|publisher=Nikefootball.com|accessdate=11 August 2013|archive-date=7 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807124118/http://bin617-02.website-voetbal.nl/sites/voetbal.nl/files/04|url-status=dead}}</ref> as well finishing as runners-up to Inter Milan in the NextGen Series (the Champions League equivalent for under-20 teams) after losing on penalties (5–3) following a 1–1 deadlock after extra time.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.voetbalcentraal.nl/nieuws/75887/ajax-a1-verliest-finale-van-nextgen-series-van-inter-milan|title=Ajax A1 verliest finale van NextGen Series van Inter Milan|date=25 March 2012|publisher=Voetbal Centraal|accessdate=11 August 2013}}</ref>
Dijks made his first team debut on 5 August 2012 against PSV in the Johan Cruyff Shield in which he played 76 minutes in before being subbed off for Dico Koppers and he also received a yellow card.<ref name=2012ShieldFinal>{{cite web|title=PSV 4–2 Ajax|url=http://www.vi.nl/Wedstrijden/Wedstrijd.htm?dbid=246885&typeofpage=84140|work=Voetbal International|accessdate=18 August 2012}}</ref> Ajax lost the match 4–2.<ref name=2012ShieldFinal/> He then made his league debut with Ajax on 19 August 2012 against NEC, playing 79 minutes before being replaced by Joël Veltman.<ref name=DutchLeagueDebut>{{cite web|title=NEC vs. Ajax – 19 August 2012|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2012/08/19/netherlands/eredivisie/nijmegen-eendracht-combinatie/afc-ajax/1290435/|work=Soccerway|accessdate=20 August 2012}}</ref> The match ended 6–1 in favor of Ajax.<ref name=DutchLeagueDebut/> Dijks made a total of 6 league appearances playing in the left-back position. playing in a KNVB Cup match as well, all while helping Ajax to win the Eredivisie title in his debut season, making it the team's 32nd Dutch league title overall.
====Heerenveen (loan)==== For the 2013–14 Eredivisie season, Dijks signed on loan with fellow Dutch top-tier club SC Heerenveen.<ref>{{cite web|title=Official: Mitchell Dijks transferred to SC Heerenveen on a loan|url=http://www.soccerfame.com/transfer/19653/mitchell-dijks|work=SoccerFame|accessdate=23 July 2013}}</ref> On 3 August 2013, in the season opener against AZ, he was sent off in his first match for his new club. He was ejected following a reckless tackle in the 71st minute of the match, which ended a 4–2 victory at the Abe Lenstra Stadion.<ref>{{cite web|title=Heerenveen vs. AZ 4 - 2|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2013/08/03/netherlands/eredivisie/sportclub-heerenveen/stichting-az/1478335/|work=Soccerway|accessdate=29 August 2013}}</ref>
===Willem II=== On 28 August 2014, it was announced that Dijks had signed a two-year contract with Eredivisie side Willem II.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dijks vertrekt transfervrij naar Willem II|url=http://www.ajaxshowtime.com/hoofdnieuws/81242/-dijks-tekent-voor-twee-jaar-.html|work=Ajax Showtime|accessdate=28 August 2014}}</ref>
===Return to Ajax=== On 26 June 2015, Ajax announced they had re-signed Dijks from Willem II. As part of the deal Ajax youngsters Richairo Zivkovic, Ruben Ligeon and Lesly de Sa will head the other way on loan. On 30 January 2017, Dijks looked to join Norwich City FC on an initial loan deal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.insidefutbol.com/2015/06/24/ajax-seal-deal-for-celtic-linked-defender-mitchell-dijks/216795/|title=Ajax Seal Deal For Celtic Linked Defender Mitchell Dijks|work=Inside Futbol|date=24 June 2015}}</ref>
====Norwich City (loan)==== In January 2017, having lost his position in the starting lineup to Daley Sinkgraven under newly appointed manager Peter Bosz, Dijks initially turned down a transfer option to play in the EFL Championship for Norwich City. He instead agreed upon a loan spell with the Canaries, which would last until the season ended.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ajaxshowtime.com/article/hoofdnieuws/102053/mitchell-dijks-toch-naar-norwich|title=Mitchell Dijks tóch naar Norwich|work=AjaxShowtime|access-date=30 January 2017|archive-date=2 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702122031/https://www.ajaxshowtime.com/article/hoofdnieuws/102053/mitchell-dijks-toch-naar-norwich|url-status=dead}}</ref> He scored his first professional goal on 7 February 2017 in a 2–2 away draw against Wigan Athletic with a powerful header in the 73rd minute.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pinkun.com/norwich-city/wigan_athletic_2_norwich_city_2_1_4881144|title=Wigan Athletic 2 Norwich City 2|work=Pink Un|date=10 August 2016|access-date=8 February 2017|archive-date=11 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211075820/http://www.pinkun.com/norwich-city/wigan_athletic_2_norwich_city_2_1_4881144|url-status=dead}}</ref>
====Jong Ajax==== Upon his return from Norwich City, Dijks originally trained with the first team, before it was decided that he would spend the rest of the season playing for Jong Ajax, the reserves team competing in the Dutch Eerste Divisie, the second tier of professional football in the Netherlands. Jong Ajax would go on to win the second division title that season with Dijks making 3 appearances in total.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.voetbalprimeur.nl/nieuws/770255/jong-ajax-lijdt-kansloze-ruime-nederlaag-in-jupiler-league-dijks-schuttert.html|title=Jong Ajax lijdt kansloze ruime nederlaag in Jupiler League, Dijks schuttert|work=Voetbalprimeur.nl |date=20 October 2017 }}</ref>
===Bologna=== On 29 April 2018, it was announced that Dijks had signed a contract with Serie A team Bologna on a free transfer. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.transfermarketweb.com/?action=read&idsel=191296|title=AJAX flankman DIJKS agrees move to Italian club|work=transfermarketweb.com}}</ref> He scored his first goal for the club on 12 August 2018 in a Coppa Italia match against Padova. He made his Serie A debut the following week in the home match against SPAL, and scored his first goal for the team on 8 April 2019, marking the final score in a 3–0 win over Chievo.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sport |first1=Sky |title=Bologna, scatto salvezza: Chievo battuto 3-0 |url=https://sport.sky.it/calcio/serie-a/2019/04/08/bologna-chievo-risultato-gol |work=sport.sky.it |date=8 April 2019 |language=it}}</ref>
In the following season, after only five appearances, Dijks suffered an injury to the second toe of his right foot that would keep him sidelined for 5–6 months.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bologna, guai per Dijks: due-tre mesi di stop |url=https://www.corrieredellosport.it/news/calcio/serie-a/bologna/2019/12/05-64183854/bologna_guai_per_dijks_due-tre_mesi_di_stop |work=corrieredellosport.it |date=5 December 2019 |language=it}}</ref>
On 31 August 2022, his contract with Bologna was terminated by mutual consent.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Bologna|url=https://www.bolognafc.it/dijks-risoluzione-consensuale-del-contratto/|title=Dijks, risoluzione consensuale del contratto|date=31 August 2022|access-date=1 September 2022|language=it}}</ref>
===Fortuna Sittard=== On 18 July 2023, Dijks joined Fortuna Sittard on a one-year contract.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Fortuna Sittard|url=https://fortunasittard.nl/nieuws/fortuna-haalt-mitchell-dijks-naar-sittard|title=FORTUNA HAALT MITCHELL DIJKS NAAR SITTARD|trans-title=FORTUNA BRINGS MITCHELL DIJKS TO SITTARD|date=18 July 2023|access-date=18 July 2023|language=nl}}</ref>
===Nam Định=== On 21 August 2025, Dijks joined Vietnamese club Nam Định.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Dân Việt|url=https://danviet.vn/tin-chieu-21-8-thep-xanh-nam-dinh-chieu-mo-hau-ve-ha-lan-1m94-tung-duoc-ac-milan-hoi-mua-20-trieu-euro-d1357128.html/|title=Tin chiều 21/8: Thép xanh Nam Định chiêu mộ hậu vệ Hà Lan 1m94 từng được AC Milan hỏi mua 20 triệu euro|date=21 August 2025|access-date=21 August 2025|language=Vietnamese}}</ref>
==International career== ===Youth=== Dijks has represented the Netherlands at under-18, under-19, and the under-21 level. He was selected in the final Dutch under-19 squad for the elite stage of the 2012 Euro U19 qualification. He started and played in the team's first match of the elite stage against Norway U19 and lasted the full 90 while he gained a yellow card in the 54th minute as the Dutch won 2–1.<ref name=Dutch2-1NorwayU19-2012>{{cite web|title=Elite round (Group 1) – 25/05/2012 – 17:00CET (17:00 local time) – Víceúcelová sportovní hala – Slany|url=https://www.uefa.com/under19/match/2009142--netherlands-vs-norway/|work=UEFA|access-date=18 August 2012}}</ref> He then played in the Netherlands last match of qualifiers against France U19 coming on a substitute in the 20th minute for Mats van Huijgevoort.<ref name=Dutch0-6FranceU19-2012>{{cite web|title=Elite round (Group 1) – 30/05/2012 – 17:00CET (17:00 local time) – Bohemians Praha – Prague|url=https://www.uefa.com/under19/match/2009169--netherlands-vs-france/|work=UEFA|access-date=18 August 2012}}</ref> The match ended in disaster for Dijks and the Dutch as they lost 6–0 and thus lost out European U19 qualification.<ref name=Dutch0-6FranceU19-2012/> On 15 August 2012, Dijks made his debut for the Dutch under-21 team in a friendly against Italy U21, coming on as a 46th-minute substitute for Johan Kappelhof as the Dutch lost 3–0.
===Senior=== Dijks received his first call up to the senior Netherlands team in March 2016 for friendlies against France and England.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2016/3/10/11191892/arjen-robben-netherlands-squad-friendlies-france-england|title = Arjen Robben in Netherlands squad to face France, England|date = 10 March 2016}}</ref>
==Career statistics== {{Updated|match played 17 December 2024}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vi.nl/spelers/carriere/mitchell-dijks.htm |title=M. Dijks: Voetbal International profile |publisher=Voetbal International}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/mitchel-dijks/219029/|title=M. Dijks:Summary |work=Soccerway}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |- !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes KNVB Cup, Coppa Italia, Vietnamese Cup}} !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |Ajax |2012–13 |Eredivisie |6||0||2||0||0||0||1{{efn|name=JCS|Appearance in Johan Cruyff Shield}}||0||9||0 |- |Heerenveen (loan) |2013–14 |Eredivisie |24||0||3||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||27||0 |- |Willem II |2014–15 |Eredivisie |28||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||28||0 |- |rowspan="4"|Ajax |2015–16 |Eredivisie |29||0||1||0||9{{efn|Two appearances in UEFA Champions League, seven appearances in UEFA Europa League}}||0||colspan="2"|—||39||0 |- |2016–17 |Eredivisie |12||0||2||0||6{{efn|Three appearances in UEFA Champions League, three appearances in UEFA Europa League}}||0||colspan="2"|—||20||0 |- |2017–18 |Eredivisie |9||0||1||0||2{{efn|name=UEL|Appearances in UEFA Europa League}}||0||colspan="2"|—||12||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !50!!0!!4!!0!!17!!0!!0!!0!!71!!0 |- |Norwich City (loan) |2016–17 |Championship |15||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||15||1 |- |Jong Ajax |2017–18 |Eerste Divisie |3||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||3||0 |- |rowspan="5"|Bologna |2018–19 |Serie A |25||1||3||1||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||28||2 |- |2019–20 |Serie A |13||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||14||0 |- |2020–21 |Serie A |20||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||20||0 |- |2021–22 |Serie A |16||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||16||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !74!!1!!4!!1!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!78!!2 |- |Vitesse |2022–23 |Eredivisie |7||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||7||0 |- |rowspan="3"|Fortuna Sittard |2023–24 |Eredivisie |31||0||3||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||34||0 |- |2024–25 |Eredivisie |12||0||2||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||14||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !43!!0!!5!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!48!!0 |- |Nam Định |2025–26 |V.League 1 |0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0 |- !colspan=3"|Career total !250!!2!!18!!1!!17!!0!!1!!0!!286!!3 |}
{{notelist}}
==Honours== '''Ajax U19'''<ref name="honours">{{cite web |url=https://nl.soccerway.com/players/mitchel-dijks/219029/|title=Mitchell Dijks - Career Honours |publisher=Soccerway}}</ref> * U19 Eredivisie: 2011–12 * NextGen Series Runner-up: 2011–12
'''Ajax'''<ref name="honours"/> * Eredivisie: 2012–13
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * [https://www.vi.nl/spelers/carriere/mitchell-dijks.htm Mitchell Dijks at ''Voetbal International''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105001458/http://www.vi.nl/spelers/carriere/mitchell-dijks.htm |date=5 January 2016 }} {{in lang|nl}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20160304023742/http://www.onsoranje.nl/team-statistieken/teams/speler/20/4f8c426a-b5e95541-604925 Netherlands stats] at OnsOranje
{{Nam Dinh FC squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dijks, Mitchell}} Category:1993 births Category:Living people Category:Footballers from Purmerend Category:Men's association football defenders Category:Dutch men's footballers Category:Netherlands men's under-21 international footballers Category:Netherlands men's youth international footballers Category:AFC Ajax players Category:Jong Ajax players Category:SC Heerenveen players Category:Willem II Tilburg players Category:Norwich City F.C. players Category:Bologna FC 1909 players Category:SBV Vitesse players Category:Fortuna Sittard players Category:Nam Định F.C. players Category:Eredivisie players Category:Eerste Divisie players Category:English Football League players Category:Serie A players Category:Dutch expatriate men's footballers Category:Dutch expatriate sportspeople in England Category:Dutch expatriate sportspeople in Italy Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Italy Category:21st-century Dutch sportsmen