{{short description|Dutch footballer (born 2002)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Sem Westerveld | image = | image_size = | caption = | fullname = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|2002|7|18|df=y}} | birth_place = San Sebastián, Spain | height = 1.93 m | position = Goalkeeper | currentclub = MVV (on loan from AZ) | clubnumber = 1 | youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = Ajax Cape Town | youthyears2 = {{0|0000}}–2016 | youthclubs2 = HC & FC Victoria | youthyears3 = 2016–2021 | youthclubs3 = AZ | years1 = 2021– | clubs1 = Jong AZ | caps1 = 39 | goals1 = 0 | years2 = 2025– | clubs2 = → MVV (loan) | caps2 = 38 | goals2 = 0 | club-update = 28 April 2026 }} '''Sem Westerveld''' (born 18 July 2002) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for {{Dutch football updater|MVVMaastr}} club MVV, on loan from AZ.
==Career== Westerveld made his professional debut with Jong AZ in a 1–0 Eerste Divisie loss to Roda on 4 January 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2021/01/04/netherlands/eerste-divisie/jong-az/roda-jc/3304980/|title=AZ II vs. Roda JC - 4 January 2021|website=Soccerway}}</ref> On 18 June 2021, he signed his first professional contract with AZ for three years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.az.nl/nl/nieuws/az-legt-westerveld-vast|title=AZ legt Westerveld vast|website=www.az.nl}}</ref>
He suffered a torn cruciate knee ligament in 2024 and spent a year out of action. He returned to the Jong AZ team for a match against Vitesse in April 2025, in a 2–2 draw.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://onefootball.com/en/news/ro-zangelo-daal-bezorgt-jong-az-in-extremis-een-punt-tegen-vitesse-40928368|website=One Football|accessdate=29 April 2025|date= 4 April 2025|title= Ro-Zangelo Daal bezorgt Jong AZ in extremis een punt tegen Vitesse}}</ref>
On 2 July 2025, Westerveld joined Eerste Divisie club MVV on a one-season loan.<ref>{{cite web |title=Westerveld op huurbasis naar MVV |url=https://az.nl/inside-az/nieuws/2025/juli/westerveld-op-huurbasis-naar-mvv |website=AZ |access-date=27 September 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250813201205/https://az.nl/inside-az/nieuws/2025/juli/westerveld-op-huurbasis-naar-mvv |archive-date=13 August 2025 |language=nl |date=2 July 2025 |trans-title=Westerveld joins MVV on loan}}</ref> He quickly established himself as a key figure for MVV, producing a series of decisive performances that included a penalty save in a goalless draw away to Jong Ajax. Having struggled with injuries for much of the previous two and a half years, he described the run of form as a personal breakthrough after a "long, dark period".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Schreurs |first1=Joost |title=Westerveld 'na donkere periode' sterkhouder van MVV: 'Hij straalt veel rust uit' |url=https://www.l1nieuws.nl/sport/2978082/westerveld-na-donkere-periode-sterkhouder-van-mvv-hij-straalt-veel-rust-uit |access-date=27 September 2025 |work=L1 Nieuws |date=30 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250927162541/https://www.l1nieuws.nl/sport/2978082/westerveld-na-donkere-periode-sterkhouder-van-mvv-hij-straalt-veel-rust-uit |archive-date=27 September 2025 |language=nl |trans-title=After a difficult spell, Westerveld emerges as key figure at MVV: 'He brings great composure}}</ref>
==Personal life== Westerveld's father Sander Westerveld and grandfather Hennie Ardesch were also professional football goalkeepers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cceit.com/unique-professional-debut-goalkeeper-sem-westerveld-for-jong-az/|title=Unique professional debut goalkeeper Sem Westerveld for Jong AZ|date=5 January 2021}}</ref> Sem was born in San Sebastián, Spain while his father was playing for Real Sociedad.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.marca.com/futbol/real-sociedad/2021/01/05/5ff44854e2704e21228b4609.html|title=El donostiarra Sem Westerveld debuta en la Segunda holandesa|date=5 January 2021|website=Marca.com}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * [https://www.vi.nl/spelers/sem-westerveld/carriere Career stats] - Voetbal International * {{Soccerway|sem-westerveld/585469}}
{{MVV Maastricht squad}} <!-- {{AZ Alkmaar squad}} -->
{{DEFAULTSORT:Westerveld, Sem}} Category:2002 births Category:Living people Category:Dutch men's footballers Category:Men's association football goalkeepers Category:Eerste Divisie players Category:Jong AZ players Category:MVV Maastricht players Category:Footballers from San Sebastián Category:21st-century Dutch sportsmen