Bert Johan Esselink

Bert Johan Esselink is a Dutch centre-back born in ’s-Heerenberg on 16 August 1999. He developed at De Graafschap, spending 2010 to 2018 in the club’s academy and captaining youth sides. In 2020, Esselink moved to Cypriot club PAEEK, helping it win promotion to the top flight. His performances led APOEL Nicosia to sign him in January 2022, after which he contributed to a second-place finish and appeared in the UEFA Europa Conference League. He also spent time on loan at Olympiakos Nicosia during the 2022–23 period to gain regular senior football. Esselink joined Polish Ekstraklasa side Stal Mielec in July 2023 and made more than 50 appearances across two seasons, scoring twice in his first campaign. In June 2025, the 1.91-metre defender signed for Dundee United, beginning his Scottish Premiership chapter.