In three months everything has become different for 22-year-old Robin Roefs. He was the keeper of NEC and reserve goalkeeper of the Dutch Juniors. Now he plays in the Premier League and is one of the selection of the ‘big’ orange.
The difference is perhaps the most notable when Roefs stands for a match in the player tunnel. “When I look at the Eredivisie, I always thought: I am one of the greatest today. At Sunderland there are still opponents smaller than me,” he says. Laughing: “But they are twice as wide.”
It is the new reality for the 1.93 meter long Roefs. And that goes well for him. After his transfer, he immediately became the first keeper of Sunderland, kept De Nul at his Premier League debut and turned a penalty against Brentford last Saturday. “Football in England is very physical, with many high balls. That is me.”
In the meantime, Roefs also comes to Roefs outside the field. “As a keeper of NEC, I was sometimes approached by children or young people in Nijmegen. But in Sunderland people of sixty, grandfathers of eighty and small children come to me. When they see me in a restaurant, they not only look. It is much more than that. Everyone in the city and the environment lives for the club.”
It went fast. Two seasons ago Roefs was still a reserve keeper at NEC and goalkeeper coach of the first team of his former amateur club VV Heeswijk. “I know everyone there, that made it fun. I enjoyed it, even though there were goalkeepers between 33, 34 years old. And I was still a teenager as their trainer. All fine. Only when I became first keeper at NEC, I stopped as a goalkeeper coach of Heeswijk.”
‘Everything fell into place’
At NEC, Roefs had the experienced Jasper Cillessen in front of him in the pecking order, until he left for the Spanish Las Palmas in the summer of 2024. Roefs became first goalkeeper in De Goffert. He was also a reserve keeper at the Dutch Juniors. That suddenly changed when first goalkeeper Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro dropped out injured last June just before the European Championship-under 21.
Roefs then kept a strong European Championship and came to the radar of several clubs, including Sunderland. “Quality always comes to the surface, but sometimes you have to be lucky in football that everything falls into place exactly. That happened this summer. It was such a great moment when I heard what kind of clubs were interested in me.”
Roefs also liked a step to a top club in the Netherlands. “But it has become Sunderland, a club in the best competition in the world. And now I am also with the Orange. If you had told me that three months ago, I would not have believed it completely. It is not normal either, I often hear that from friends and family.”
With 10 million euros, Roefs is in the books as the most expensive outgoing transfer ever from NEC. But for Sunderland, which paid 20 million euros on Monday for Ajax striker Brian Brobbey, it is not a special amount.
Roefs came in as a big stranger. “No, I didn’t think they knew in the dressing room who I was. I didn’t expect that I would go from NEC to a Premier League club. I ended up in a different world.”
Everything is larger than Roefs was used to. “The club has three team managers to arrange everything for you. If it is no longer there. I could quickly focus on football, and that worked out well. From the first exhibition games it went well. As a result, I also rolled into the new group of players more easily. I couldn’t have wished myself a better start.”
At Oranje, where he first reported on Monday afternoon, Roefs also ended up in an almost completely new group for him. “I think I only played together with Xavi Simons, that was in the Dutch youth teams. Furthermore, I followed the players of Orange for years at a distance. It is a huge honor to suddenly walk here among boys who have been playing in the top of the world for years.”
Roefs came in as the third keeper, behind Bart Verbruggen and Mark Flekken. His goal The this international match period is to prove that it belongs in the selection. “It has been a nice line from NEC to the European Championship with the Dutch Juniors and on to Sunderland. I want to continue that line. I want to stay with the Orange.”
In his head is also the World Cup next summer in the United States, Canada and Mexico. “In recent months have been a dream for me. And the World Cup is also a dream. A World Cup with your country, that’s the highest. But I am not there yet. First I get through this international period.”
In Three Months, Everything Has Changed for 22-year-old Robin Roefs. He used to be the goalkeeper for nec and a reserve goalkeeper for Jong Oranje (Young Orange). Now he plays in the Premier League and Belongs to the selection of the ‘Big’ Orange.
The Difference is Perhaps Most Noticable When Roefs is standing in the player tunnel before a match. “When I looked to the side in the Eredivisie, I always thought: I am one of the biggest today. At Sunderland, there are still opponents narrower than me,” he says. Laughing: “But they are twice as wide.”
It is the new reality for the 1.93-meter Tall Roefs. And he is Doing Well. After his transfer, he immediately Became the first goalkeeper of Sunderland, Kept a clean sheet in His Premier League Debut and Saved a Penalty Against Brentford Last Saturday. “Football in England is very physical, with a lot of high balls. That suits me.”
Meanwhile, Roefs is also experienced a lot off the field. “As a goalkeeper for nec, I was some approached by children or young people in Nijmegen. But in Sunderland, People of Sixty, Grandfathers of Eighty, and Small children come to me. When they are a quick, dang d’te just Everyone in the city and the surrounding area lives for the club. “
It has gone fast. Two Seasons ago, Roefs was still a reserve goalkeeper at NEC and goalkeeper coach of the first team of his Former Amateur Club VV Heeswijk. “I know everyone there, which made it fun. I Enjoyed it, just though there were goalkeepers between 33 and 34 years old. And I, as their coach, was still a teenager. All fine. Only when I became the first gopereper at nec, I” I stopp ped.
‘Everything Fell Into Place’
At Nec, Roefs had The Experienced Jasper Cillessen Ahead of Him in the Pecking Order Until He Left for Las Palmas in the Summer of 2024. Roefs Became the First goalkeeper in the Goffert. He was also a reserve goalkeeper at the Dutch Orange. That Changed Suddenly When First Goalkeeper Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro Dropped Out Injured Just Before the European Championship Under 21 Last June.
Roefs then Played a Strong European Championship and Came On The Radar of Several Clubs, Including Sunderland. “Quality Always Rises to the top, but sometimes in Football, you have to be lucky that every things falls into place. That happened this summer. It was Such a great moment when I heard clubs were inge interested in me.”
Roefs would also have liked a step to a top club in the Netherlands. “But it Became Sunderland, a club in the best competition in the world. And now I am also with orange. If you had told me that three months, I would’s have complete it. It’s not normal, I hear that of Enough from From Friends and family.”
With 10 Million Euros, Roefs is in The Books as the Most Exensive Outgoing Transfer Ever From NEC. But for Sunderland, who paid 20 Million Euros for Ajax Striker Brian Brobbey On Monday, it is not a special amount.
Roefs, Therefore, Came in As a Big Unknown. “No, I don’t think they knew who I was in The Locker Room. I also Didn’t Expect to Go from Nec to a Premier League Club. I have ended up in Another World.”
Everything is bigger than roefs was used to. “The Club Has Three Team Managers to Arrange Everything For You. If there are a result, I was soon able to focus on football, and that turned out well. It went well from the first practice matches. I Couldn’t Have Wished For A Better Start. “
At Oranje, where he reported for the first time on Monday afternoon, roefs also ended up in an almost completely new group. “I think I only played together with Xavi Simons Before, that was in the Dutch Youth teams. Furthermore, I followed the players of Oranje from a distance for years. It is a huge honor to sauddenly walking at the top of the wave for years.”
Roefs came in as the third goalkeeper, Behind Bart Verbruggen and Mark Flekken. His goal for this international period is to proof that he belongs in the selection. “It has bone a great line from nec to the European Championship with Jong Oranje and on to Sunderland. I want to continuously that line. I want to stay with Orange.”
He also has the world cup next summer in the United States, Canada, and Mexico in His Head. “The fits Few Months Have Been A Dream For Me. And the World Cup is also a Dream. A World Cup With Your Country, That Is The Highest Thing. But I’m not There Yet. First, Let’s Get Through This International Period Well.”