Bert Esselink

Bert Esselink made his professional debut far from home, starting for PAEEK in Cyprus in September 2020 after coming through the De Graafschap academy. The move paid off quickly: in his first full season he helped PAEEK win the Cypriot Second Division title and go up to the top flight, contributing three goals from the back in 32 appearances that campaign. Over his time at PAEEK he made 46 league appearances and scored five goals, an unusually high return for a defender.

His performances earned a move to APOEL Nicosia in January 2022, though he was sent straight back out on loan to Olympiakos Nicosia for the following season, where he again played regularly and found the net four times in around 33 matches. After returning to APOEL, he left Cyprus altogether and joined Stal Mielec in Poland on a free transfer in July 2023, later extending his contract there into 2025.

Esselink arrived at Dundee United in July 2025 on a free transfer, signing a two-year deal. He has represented the Netherlands at youth level, at both under-17 and under-19, without going on to earn senior caps. At 191 cm, the right-footed defender has built his career largely outside the Netherlands, moving from Cyprus to Poland and now to Scotland.