Thomas Ouwejan

Thomas Ouwejan came through the AZ Alkmaar academy and made his first-team debut in December 2015, going on to become a regular starter in left-back and left-midfield roles during the 2017/18 and 2018/19 seasons. He won the Tweede Divisie with Jong AZ, and twice reached the KNVB Cup final with the senior side — losing on penalties to FC Utrecht and then falling to Feyenoord the following year.

A loan to Udinese in 2020/21 brought 15 Serie A appearances, though the Italian club chose not to make the move permanent. At Schalke 04, a loan for the 2021/22 season turned into promotion: Ouwejan scored three goals and set up eight more in 28 league appearances as Schalke won the 2. Bundesliga. The club made the deal permanent for around €2 million, and he stayed until his contract ran out in 2024, finishing with 77 appearances in Schalke colours.

He joined NEC Nijmegen on a free transfer in August 2024 on a three-year deal. Playing time did not follow as hoped, and in September 2026 he left for FC Machida Zelvia in Japan's J1 League, making his debut for the club in the AFC Champions League Two.

At youth level, Ouwejan represented the Netherlands from under-17 through to under-21 level, including a run at the 2015 UEFA U-19 Championship and a debut for the U21s against Portugal in November 2016. A senior cap for the Netherlands has so far eluded him.