Jan Vertonghen

Profile Overview

Jan Bert Lieve Vertonghen (Dutch pronunciation: [jɑm ˈbɛrt ˈlivə vərˈtɔŋə(n)]; born 24 April 1987) is a Belgian former professional footballer who played as a defender. Mainly a centre-back, he also played as a left-back.
Vertonghen began his senior career at Dutch club Ajax in 2006, and totalled 220 games and 28 goals for them across all competitions, serving as their captain from 2011 to 2012. He won two Eredivisie and two KNVB Cup titles during his time at the club, and in 2012 was named Dutch Footballer of the Year. Vertonghen transferred to Tottenham Hotspur in July 2012, and made the PFA Team of the Year in his first Premier League season. He made 315 appearances for Spurs over eight years, as well as reaching the 2019 UEFA Champions League final, and was named the club's Player of the Year in 2018. After spending two seasons with Portuguese club Benfica, he joined Anderlecht in 2022. At 37, he became the club's oldest player, surpassing club icon Olivier Deschacht, before retiring from the sport in 2025.
Vertonghen made his international debut for Belgium in 2007 and his 157 caps (including three unofficial games, according to FIFA rules) are the most in the history of the national team. He was part of Belgian squads that came fourth at the 2008 Olympics, third at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and reached the quarter-finals at UEFA Euro 2016 and Euro 2020. On 5 July 2024, Vertonghen announced his retirement from international football after seventeen years.