Sem Valk

Sem Valk
Valk with Telstar in 2026
Personal information
Date of birth (2002-02-16) 16 February 2002 (age 24)
Place of birth Capelle aan den IJssel, Netherlands
Height 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in)
Position Centre-back
Team information
Current team
 Telstar
Number 16
Youth career
2006–2010 VV Capelle
2010–2021 Feyenoord
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021–2024 Feyenoord 0 (0)
2024–2026 Dordrecht 66 (3)
2026– Telstar 10 (1)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 16:41, 12 November 2026 (UTC)

Sem Valk (born 16 February 2002) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Eredivisie club Telstar.

Valk spent 14 years in the Feyenoord academy and captained the club's under-21 side. He made one first-team appearance in the UEFA Conference League in December 2021. He joined Eerste Divisie club Dordrecht on a free transfer in 2024, reached the promotion play-offs in his first season and became club captain in his second. He moved to Telstar in August 2026.

Early life and career

Valk was born on 16 February 2002 in Capelle aan den IJssel. He grew up in a footballing family. His father played the game, and the family were Feyenoord supporters who took him to De Kuip from an early age. When he was four, the family moved to Nesselande in Rotterdam. He kept playing for VV Capelle, where his father coached his team.

During a friendly against Feyenoord, the opposing coach asked Valk's father about the team's number seven. After several successful trial sessions, Valk was offered a place in the Feyenoord academy. He joined in 2010, at the age of eight.

His parents encouraged him not to neglect school and friends for football. He attended the Thorbecke Talentschool in Rotterdam with other Feyenoord youth players. He signed his first professional contract in his final year of VWO pre-university education. He then decided to postpone further study and concentrate on his football career. He played as a midfielder for much of his youth career. After a growth spurt took him to 1.95 metres, his youth coach Dirk Kuyt moved him into central defence.

Club career

Feyenoord

In May 2020, Feyenoord agreed a first professional contract with Valk, then an 18-year-old in the under-19 side. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, the deal was to be signed at a later date. He was twice named in the first-team matchday squad during the 2020–21 season.

New head coach Arne Slot included Valk in a group of 29 players for the start of pre-season in the summer of 2021. He played in the first friendly of the summer, a 1–1 draw with Gent. He also travelled to the training camp in Austria and appeared against Red Bull Salzburg, before returning to the under-21 side.

Valk with Feyenoord in pre-season friendly against Red Bull Salzburg in 2022

During that pre-season, a screenshot from the Feyenoord players' group chat circulated on social media. It showed club captain Steven Berghuis leaving the chat ahead of his move to rivals Ajax, and Valk could be seen in the background photograph. The screenshot exposed the phone numbers of several teammates. Valk was summoned to explain himself to Slot. In December 2021, he confirmed publicly that he had taken the screenshot. He said he deeply regretted it and had apologised to the squad, which had accepted his apology.

Valk made his first-team debut on 9 December 2021, in a 2–1 home win over Maccabi Haifa in the Europa Conference League group stage. Feyenoord had already qualified for the knockout rounds. He replaced Marcos Senesi ten minutes after half-time. He played the final 34 minutes. It proved to be his only first-team appearance for the club.

On 17 August 2022, Valk signed a new contract until mid-2024 with an option for a further year. His previous deal had been due to expire in 2023. Head of academy Rini Coolen praised his physical, mental and footballing development. Valk described the deal as a reward for a good season.

Valk went on to captain Feyenoord's under-21 side. In early April 2024, the club told him that his contract would not be renewed. He left that summer after 14 years in the academy.

Dordrecht

On 22 May 2024, Valk agreed to join Eerste Divisie club Dordrecht on a free transfer. He signed a contract until mid-2026 with an option for a further year. Feyenoord's head of global football, Mark Ruijl, called the move a positive step for both parties.

Valk quickly became a regular starter at Dordrecht. The club reached the promotion play-offs in the 2024–25 season. They knocked out De Graafschap 2–0 on aggregate in the second round. In the first leg of the semi-final against Willem II on 21 May 2025, Valk headed in a corner from Jari Schuurman to make it 2–0, and Dordrecht won 2–1. Willem II won the return leg 3–2 three days later, levelling the tie at 4–4 on aggregate. Willem II won the penalty shoot-out 5–4 and went through to the final.

On 7 August 2025, head coach Dirk Kuyt named Valk club captain in succession to Schuurman, who had left for Willem II. In October 2025, he was carried off on a stretcher with a knee injury during a 3–0 defeat away to ADO Den Haag. He returned almost two months later, coming off the bench in a 4–3 home defeat to FC Eindhoven on 12 December 2025.[citation needed] On 31 March 2026, Dordrecht took up the option in his contract, keeping him at the club until mid-2027.

Valk played the first two league matches of the 2026–27 season before leaving the club. He made 71 official appearances for Dordrecht, scoring four goals and providing six assists. Technical manager Sjoerd Ars said Valk had arrived as a talent and developed into a captain and leader. Valk said he would continue to follow the club as a supporter.

Telstar

On 24 August 2026, Valk joined Eredivisie club Telstar on a contract until mid-2029, becoming the club's 11th signing of the summer. Technical manager Peter Hofstede said Valk had already shown strong leadership qualities.

Valk made his debut six days later in a 4–0 home defeat to Ajax. He played the full 90 minutes.[citation needed] He scored his first Eredivisie goal on 23 October 2026, in the last minute of a 3–2 defeat away to Go Ahead Eagles.

On 7 November 2026, Valk scored an own goal away to Fortuna Sittard. He tried to play a long, lofted back-pass to goalkeeper Ronald Koeman Jr. from distance, but mis-hit it and the ball went over the goalkeeper and into the net, putting Telstar 2–0 down. His teammates fought back to draw 2–2. Valk said afterwards that he was angry and embarrassed with himself.

Style of play

Valk is a right-footed centre-back who stands 1.95 metres tall. A former midfielder, he describes himself as a defender who is comfortable on the ball. When Telstar signed him, technical manager Peter Hofstede named his height, footballing ability and mentality among his strengths.

Career statistics

As of match played 7 November 2026
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League KNVB Cup Europe Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Feyenoord 2021–22 Eredivisie 000010—10
2022–23 Eredivisie 0000——00
2023–24 Eredivisie 0000——00
Total 000010—10
Dordrecht 2024–25 Eerste Divisie 34110—41392
2025–26 Eerste Divisie 30200——302
2026–27 Eerste Divisie 20———20
Total 66310—41714
Telstar 2026–27 Eredivisie 10110——111
Career total 764201041835

References

  1. ↑ "Sem Valk". Keuken Kampioen Divisie (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 13 February 2026. Retrieved 12 November 2026.
  2. 1 2 "Sem Valk". ESPN. Retrieved 12 November 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Peenstra, Wilko (6 March 2026). "Interview met Sem Valk: Aanvoerder met een missie" [Interview with Sem Valk: A captain with a mission]. Supportersmagazine FC Dordrecht (in Dutch). Vol. 2025/26, no. 2. pp. 8–13. Retrieved 12 November 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Officieel: FC Dordrecht neemt Valk transfervrij over van Feyenoord" [Official: FC Dordrecht signs Valk from Feyenoord on a free transfer]. FR12 (in Dutch). 22 May 2024. Archived from the original on 7 June 2026. Retrieved 12 November 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Mostert, Dominic (9 December 2021). "Valk maakte screenshots van gesprek over Berghuis: 'Heb excuses aangeboden'" [Valk took screenshots of a conversation about Berghuis: 'I have offered apologies']. Voetbalzone (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 22 July 2025. Retrieved 12 November 2026.
  6. ↑ "Feyenoord komt met contractnieuws: beloning voor drie talenten" [Feyenoord announces contract news: rewards for three talents]. VoetbalPrimeur (in Dutch). 8 May 2020. Archived from the original on 18 June 2026. Retrieved 12 November 2026.
  7. ↑ "Selectie Feyenoord voorbereiding 2021/2022 bekend" [Feyenoord squad for 2021–22 pre-season announced]. FR12 (in Dutch). Retrieved 12 November 2026.
  8. ↑ "Feyenoord begint aan voorbereiding met gelijkspel tegen Gent" [Feyenoord start pre-season with a draw against Gent]. FR12 (in Dutch). Retrieved 12 November 2026.
  9. ↑ "'Baldé traint voorlopig mee bij Feyenoord Onder 21'" ['Baldé to train with Feyenoord Under-21 for now']. FR12 (in Dutch). Retrieved 12 November 2026.
  10. ↑ "Steven Berghuis verlaat abrupt groepsapp Feyenoord voorafgaand aan Ajax-transfer" [Steven Berghuis abruptly leaves Feyenoord group chat ahead of Ajax transfer]. FunX (in Dutch). July 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2026.
  11. 1 2 "Berghuis-screenshot kwam van Feyenoord-debutant Valk: 'Heb ik veel spijt van'" [Berghuis screenshot came from Feyenoord debutant Valk: 'I deeply regret it']. Voetbalprimeur (in Dutch). 9 December 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2026.
  12. 1 2 "Deze talenten zijn in de zomer mogelijk op te pikken bij Ajax, Feyenoord en PSV" [These talents could be available from Ajax, Feyenoord and PSV in the summer]. Voetbalzone (in Dutch). Retrieved 12 November 2026.
  13. ↑ "Slot brengt de ene na de andere tiener en ziet Feyenoord met 2-1 winnen" [Slot brings on one teenager after another and sees Feyenoord win 2–1] (in Dutch). NOS. 9 December 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2026.
  14. 1 2 Antes, Wessel (22 May 2024). "Feyenoord ziet aanvoerder van beloftenelftal in Keuken Kampioen Divisie tekenen" [Feyenoord see captain of their reserve side sign in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie]. Voetbalzone (in Dutch). Retrieved 12 November 2026.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 "FC Dordrecht en Feyenoord doen weer zaken: Valk verhuist naar Krommedijk" [FC Dordrecht and Feyenoord do business again: Valk moves to the Krommedijk]. Voetbal International (in Dutch). 22 May 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2026.
  16. 1 2 "Feyenoord legt Sem Valk langer vast" [Feyenoord tie Sem Valk down for longer]. 1908.nl (in Dutch). 17 August 2022. Retrieved 12 November 2026.
  17. ↑ "Feyenoord heeft contractnieuws: 'Willen hem ondersteunen in zijn volgende stappen'" [Feyenoord have contract news: 'We want to support him in his next steps']. Voetbalprimeur (in Dutch). 17 August 2022. Retrieved 12 November 2026.
  18. 1 2 3 Havelaar, Rowan (24 August 2026). "FC Dordrecht raakt aanvoerder Valk kwijt aan eredivisionist Telstar" [FC Dordrecht lose captain Valk to Eredivisie club Telstar]. RTV Dordrecht (in Dutch). Retrieved 12 November 2026.
  19. 1 2 3 "Aanvoerder Sem Valk vertrekt naar Telstar" [Captain Sem Valk leaves for Telstar]. FC Dordrecht (in Dutch). 24 August 2026. Retrieved 12 November 2026.
  20. ↑ Francke, Corrado (20 December 2025). "Van puike prestaties tot mindere maanden: dit was het 2025 van FC Dordrecht" [From fine performances to poorer months: this was FC Dordrecht's 2025]. RTV Dordrecht (in Dutch). Retrieved 12 November 2026.
  21. ↑ "Seuntjens-misser wordt De Graafschap fataal: Dordrecht stoot door in play-offs" [Seuntjens miss proves fatal for De Graafschap: Dordrecht advance in play-offs]. Voetbalprimeur (in Dutch). 17 May 2025. Retrieved 12 November 2026.
  22. ↑ "Eredivisiedroom Dordrecht springlevend na verrassende zege op Willem II in heenduel" [Dordrecht's Eredivisie dream alive after surprise first-leg win over Willem II] (in Dutch). NOS. 21 May 2025. Retrieved 12 November 2026.
  23. ↑ "Willem II ontsnapt in penaltyserie aan degradatie, nu finale tegen Telstar" [Willem II escape relegation in penalty shoot-out, now a final against Telstar] (in Dutch). NOS. 24 May 2025. Retrieved 12 November 2026.
  24. 1 2 van Doorn, Bert (24 May 2025). "Willem II verslaat Dordrecht, moet nu Telstar verslaan voor Eredivisie-plek" [Willem II beat Dordrecht, must now beat Telstar for an Eredivisie place]. Omroep Brabant (in Dutch). Retrieved 12 November 2026.
  25. ↑ "Sem Valk nieuwe aanvoerder FC Dordrecht" [Sem Valk new FC Dordrecht captain]. FC Dordrecht (in Dutch). 7 August 2025. Retrieved 12 November 2026.
  26. ↑ Francke, Corrado (18 October 2025). "Valk valt uit, Kuijt loopt schorsing op: 'Misschien moet ik mijn handen vastplakken'" [Valk goes off injured, Kuijt picks up a suspension: 'Maybe I should glue my hands down']. RTV Dordrecht (in Dutch). Retrieved 12 November 2026.
  27. ↑ Havelaar, Rowan (31 March 2026). "FC Dordrecht zegt contracten van vijf spelers op, maar deze smaakmakers blijven langer" [FC Dordrecht end the contracts of five players, but these key players stay longer]. RTV Dordrecht (in Dutch). Retrieved 12 November 2026.
  28. 1 2 "Telstar versterkt defensie met FC Dordrecht-aanvoerder Valk" [Telstar strengthen defence with FC Dordrecht captain Valk]. Voetbal International (in Dutch). 24 August 2026. Retrieved 12 November 2026.
  29. 1 2 3 Pus, Milton (24 August 2026). "Sem Valk strijkt neer bij Telstar en tekent voor drie seizoenen" [Sem Valk lands at Telstar and signs for three seasons]. NH Nieuws (in Dutch). Retrieved 12 November 2026.
  30. ↑ Dekker, Edward (30 August 2026). "Telstar-trainer Henk Brugge had zich meer voorgesteld van ontmoeting met Ajax" [Telstar coach Henk Brugge had expected more from the meeting with Ajax]. NH Nieuws (in Dutch). Retrieved 12 November 2026.
  31. ↑ "Ajax dankzij vier goals van routiniers en spitsen eenvoudig langs Telstar" [Ajax ease past Telstar thanks to four goals from veterans and strikers] (in Dutch). NOS. 30 August 2026. Retrieved 12 November 2026.
  32. ↑ Pus, Milton; van der Meijden, Frank (23 October 2026). "Lees terug: Telstar verliest bij Go Ahead, FC Volendam haalt uit tegen Jong FC Utrecht" [Read back: Telstar lose at Go Ahead, FC Volendam hit out against Jong FC Utrecht]. NH Nieuws (in Dutch). Retrieved 12 November 2026.
  33. 1 2 "Sem Valk". Eredivisie (in Dutch). Retrieved 12 November 2026.
  34. ↑ "Bizarre tegengoal: Telstar moet tevreden zijn met gelijkspel bij Fortuna Sittard" [Bizarre goal conceded: Telstar must settle for a draw at Fortuna Sittard]. NH Nieuws (in Dutch). 7 November 2026. Retrieved 12 November 2026.