Romano Ceciel Postema (born 7 February 2002) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a forward for Eredivisie club Groningen.

Romano Postema
Postema with Groningen in 2023
Personal information
Full name Romano Ceciel Postema[1]
Date of birth (2002-02-07) 7 February 2002 (age 22)
Place of birth Groningen, Netherlands
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)[2]
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
Groningen
Number 29
Youth career
2008–2009 DIO Groningen
2009–2013 GVAV-Rapiditas
2013–2019 Groningen
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019– Groningen 83 (21)
2020–2021Den Bosch (loan) 27 (10)
2022–2023Roda JC (loan) 31 (5)
International career
2019 Netherlands U17 1 (0)
2019 Netherlands U18 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21:12, 13 July 2024 (UTC)

Club career

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Groningen

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Postema was born in Groningen, Netherlands, and has stated that he had a passion for football from a young age: "I was always playing football on the street. Before and after school, I was only focused on one thing and that was a ball. My brother and I were always out on the street playing football. It was a fun learning experience," he recalls.[3] He began playing organised football for hometown clubs DIO Groningen and GVAV-Rapiditas before joining FC Groningen's academy in 2013.[3][4] He signed his first professional contract on 6 March 2019, having made a strong impression in the under-17 league where he managed to net 24 goals in 18 matches under the guidance of coach Paul Matthijs, as well as seven goals in two U17 cup games.[5] Later that year, on 31 August, Postema made his professional debut in a 3–1 Eredivisie loss to Heracles Almelo, coming on as a substitute for Amir Absalem.[6]

Loan to Den Bosch

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On 22 May 2020, Postema extended his contract with Groningen until 2024.[7][8] However, on 6 October 2020, he was loaned out to second-tier Eerste Divisie club FC Den Bosch for the remainder of the 2020–21 season.[9][10] During a league match against Roda JC on 23 April 2021, Postema scored a hat-trick, strongly contributing to his team's 7–0 victory.[11]

Return to Groningen, loan to Roda JC

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Postema returned to Groningen for the 2021–22 season, and on 27 October 2021, he stood out during a KNVB Cup match against Helmond Sport by scoring two goals and helping his team win 4–0.[12] On 12 March 2022, he came off the bench in the 78th minute and made an impressive impact, scoring his first two goals for Groningen and helping the team secure a thrilling 4–3 victory over NEC.[13][3] He scored six goals in 35 total appearances for the club that season, mainly as a substitute.[14]

At the start of the 2022–23 season, Postema played for Groningen, but on 31 August 2022, he was loaned out to Roda JC in the second tier, until the end of the season.[15][16][17] He immediately made an impact for the club, scoring a late equaliser in a 1–1 derby draw against MVV on 4 September 2022.[18] Postema scored six goals and provided two assists in 32 competitive appearances for Roda and returned to recently relegated Groningen at the end of the season.[19]

Breakout season and promotion

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After returning to Groningen following his loan spell at Roda JC, Postema immediately established himself as a starter in head coach Dick Lukkien's side.[20][21] In the first league game upon his return, on 11 August 2024 against Jong Ajax, Postema scored a header to help Groningen to a 4–1 home victory.[22][23] On 26 January 2024, he scored his first brace in a 4–1 league win over Jong AZ.[24] He then scored consecutive braces on 4 and 8 March, leading Groningen to 4–1 and 3–0 league victories against Den Bosch and MVV, respectively.[25][26] On 15 March, he scored a hat-trick in Groningen's 4–2 Eredivisie win over De Graafschap.[27] His performances meant that he was voted Player of the Period of Period 4.[28]

Postema finished the season with 20 goals in 40 appearances, including eight goals in five games in March 2024.[14] His contributions were key in securing Groningen's promotion back to the Eredivisie.[29]

International career

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Postema was selected for the Netherlands U17 national team's squad for the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup, but made only one 93rd-minute substitute appearance for Sontje Hansen in the group stage as the Netherlands finished fourth.[30]

Style of play

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Postema has been described as a hard-working striker, who during his time with Groningen became a fan favourite.[3] Postema himself has stated that he likes to play with space behind the opponent's defense so that he can be sent through on goal. He is also willing to use any means necessary to win, including diving if it means winning a game.[3] Upon joining Roda JC on loan in 2022, head coach Jurgen Streppel described Postema as a "technically skilled player with a keen sense for scoring goals."[16]

Career statistics

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As of match played 10 May 2024[14]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League KNVB Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Groningen 2019–20 Eredivisie 11 0 1 0 12 0
2020–21 Eredivisie 3 0 3 0
2021–22 Eredivisie 32 4 3 2 35 6
2022–23 Eredivisie 2 0 2 0
2023–24 Eerste Divisie 35 17 5 3 40 20
Total 83 21 9 5 92 26
Den Bosch (loan) 2020–21 Eerste Divisie 27 10 1 2 28 12
Roda JC (loan) 2022–23 Eerste Divisie 31 5 1 1 32 6
Career total 141 36 11 8 0 0 152 44

References

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  1. ^ "FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil 2019: List of Players: Netherlands" (PDF). FIFA. 31 October 2019. p. 16. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 December 2019.
  2. ^ "29 Romano Postema". Roda JC Kerkrade (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 27 January 2023. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e Kunst, Jeroen (25 May 2022). "Publiekslieveling Romano Postema wil eerste spits worden". De Krant van Tynaarlo – Het laatste nieuws in de gemeente Tynaarlo (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 28 November 2022. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  4. ^ "Romano Postema tekent profcontract bij FC Groningen". GVAV-Rapiditas (in Dutch). 10 March 2019. Archived from the original on 10 April 2023. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  5. ^ "Romano Postema tekent contract bij FC Groningen". FC Groningen (in Dutch). 6 March 2019. Archived from the original on 10 April 2023. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  6. ^ "Groningen vs. Heracles – 31 August 2019". Soccerway.
  7. ^ "FC Groningen beloont veelbelovende Postema met langdurig contract". Voetbal International (in Dutch). 22 May 2020. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  8. ^ "Aanvaller Postema tekent tot 2024 bij FC Groningen". Algemeen Dagblad (in Dutch). 22 May 2022. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  9. ^ Pomp, William (6 October 2020). "Romano Postema wordt verhuurd aan FC Den Bosch, maar FC Groningen ziet nog steeds toekomst in spits". Dagblad van het Noorden (in Dutch). Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  10. ^ "FC Groningen laat talentvolle Postema (18) op huurbasis gaan: Een mooie toekomst". Voetbalprimeur (in Dutch). 6 October 2020. Archived from the original on 11 March 2022. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  11. ^ "Romano Postema wint duel der FC Groningen-huurlingen. De spits scoort drie keer voor FC Den Bosch tegen het Roda JC van doelman Jan Hoekstra". Dagblad van het Noorden (in Dutch). 23 April 2021. Archived from the original on 7 February 2022. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  12. ^ "Heerenveen komt goed weg bij AFC, opstekers voor Sparta en FC Groningen". Algemeen Dagblad (in Dutch). 27 October 2021. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  13. ^ "FC Groningen – NEC Nijmegen 4:3 (Eredivisie 2021/2022, 26. Round)". WorldFootball.net. HEIM:SPIEL. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  14. ^ a b c "Romano Postema » Club matches". WorldFootball.net. HEIM:SPIEL. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  15. ^ "FC Groningen verhuurt Postema aan Roda JC". FC Groningen (Press release) (in Dutch). 31 August 2022. Archived from the original on 31 August 2022. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  16. ^ a b "Romano Postema op huurbasis naar Roda JC". Roda JC Kerkrade (Press release) (in Dutch). 31 August 2022. Archived from the original on 7 February 2023. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  17. ^ "Update: FC Groningen verhuurt Postema aan Roda JC: 'De juiste stap'". Voetbalprimeur (in Dutch). 31 August 2022. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  18. ^ Suilen, Maikel (7 September 2022). "Heerlijke start Romano Postema uit Groningen bij Roda JC. 'Ik zei het vooraf al tegen m'n ouders'". Dagblad van het Noorden (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 8 September 2022. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  19. ^ "Roda JC neemt afscheid van elf spelers". Roda JC Kerkrade (in Dutch). 23 May 2023. Archived from the original on 23 May 2023. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
  20. ^ Jong, Thijs de (11 August 2023). "Hopen op Johan Hove en verrassend nieuws voor Romano Postema. Van niet op de foto naar een basisplek bij FC Groningen". Dagblad van het Noorden (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 13 August 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  21. ^ "Postema: 'Alles heb ik hier; vrienden, familie en de club waarvoor ik graag wil spelen'". FC Groningen (in Dutch). 27 December 2023. Archived from the original on 27 December 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  22. ^ "Lees terug: FC Groningen wint met 4–1 van Jong Ajax". RTV Noord (in Dutch). 11 August 2023. Archived from the original on 15 August 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  23. ^ "FC Groningen – Jong Ajax 4:1 (Eerste Divisie 2023/2024, 1. Round)". WorldFootball.net. HEIM:SPIEL. Archived from the original on 13 July 2024. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  24. ^ "Lees terug: FC Groningen verslaat Jong AZ met 4–1". RTV Noord (in Dutch). 26 January 2024. Archived from the original on 13 July 2024. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  25. ^ Theelen, Daniel (4 March 2024). "FC Groningen wordt wakker na tegentreffer en wint van FC Den Bosch". OOG TV (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 16 March 2024. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  26. ^ "FC Groningen domineert in een vermakelijk duel tegen MVV: 3–0 winst". OOG TV (in Dutch). 8 March 2024. Archived from the original on 9 March 2024. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  27. ^ "FC Groningen klimt dankzij vierde zege op rij naar promotieplek in eerste divisie". NOS (in Dutch). 15 March 2024. Archived from the original on 15 March 2024. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  28. ^ "Romano Postema verkozen tot Beste Speler, FC Dordrecht valt opnieuw in de prijzen". Keuken Kampioen Divisie (in Dutch). 3 July 2024. Archived from the original on 13 July 2024. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  29. ^ "FC Groningen promoveert naar de Eredivisie". Keuken Kampioen Divisie (in Dutch). 3 July 2024. Archived from the original on 13 July 2024. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  30. ^ "Netherlands U17 vs. United States U17 – 3 November 2019". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
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