Kevin van Veen, born 1 June 1991, Eindhoven, North Brabant, Netherlands.
PART ONE
Born in Eindhoven, a city synonymous with footballing structure and technical education thanks to PSV Eindhoven, Kevin van Veen began his career in the academy system that has produced countless professionals, and, in particular, he spent six formative years learning the game, shaping his instincts and sharpening his finishing. But football can be ruthless at a young age, and despite his efforts, he was released by PSV, reportedly due to concerns over his physical profile, and that rejection cut deep.
As it turned out, van Veen walked away from the professional game altogether, and instead of chasing contracts and trials, he picked up work as a plasterer, returning to amateur football where the pressure was lower but the hunger remained. Yet, even in those quieter surroundings, his ability to find the net stood out, and, in addition, his performances began to attract attention once more.
When Helmond Sport offered him a route back into the professional ranks in 2005, it felt like a second chance, and van Veen took it with both hands, gradually working his way through to the first team by 2010. However, opportunities were limited, and he made only six appearances, which meant that he once again had to look elsewhere to build momentum.
His time in the lower leagues proved transformative, as spells at clubs like Dijkse Boys, UDI ’19 and JVC Cuijk allowed him to play regularly, score freely and rediscover confidence, and, crucially, he consistently hit over 15 goals per season. His reputation grew, and by 2014 he had forced his way back into the professional game.
In July 2014, van Veen signed for FC Oss , and almost instantly, he made headlines. After making his debut, he exploded into life on 15 August 2014 with a hat-trick in a 3–0 win over RKC Waalwijk, a performance that announced his arrival in emphatic style. But he did not stop there, scoring in consecutive matches against VVV-Venlo and De Graafschap, and then adding further goals against MVV Maastricht, FC Eindhoven and NEC.
His appetite for goals seemed endless, and on 12 December 2014 he scored another hat-trick in a chaotic 5–4 win over Fortuna Sittard, although he was sent off later in the match, a moment that captured both his brilliance and his fiery edge. On 23 January 2015, he returned from suspension to net yet another hat-trick against Almere City, taking his tally to 16 goals in just 21 appearances.
Interest from England quickly followed, and League One outfit Scunthorpe United moved decisively, signing him on 30 January 2015. His debut came a week later against Oldham Athletic, and although that match ended in defeat, he soon made his mark by scoring his first goal against Swindon Town at Glanford Park, delicately chipping Wes Foderingham in a 3–1 victory over the Robins.
But adapting to the physical demands and tempo of English football was not straightforward, and while he showed flashes of quality, consistency proved elusive during his first spell, with just two goals in 20 appearances by the end of the 2014–15 season. But he remained part of the squad and began the 2015–16 season as a regular, even though he often found himself coming off the bench.
On 22 August 2015 he suffered a head injury in a goalless draw to Millwall, which disrupted his rhythm, yet he bounced back quickly, scoring in a 2–2 draw with Colchester United a week later, a goal that earned him the club’s Goal of the Month award. Still, competition for places meant that his starting chances were limited, and he was loaned out to SC Cambuur in early 2016. That loan spell offered regular minutes, and although he scored just once, in a 2–2 draw to De Graafschap on 2 April 2016, he became a consistent presence in the side.
PART TWO
Upon returning to Scunthorpe United, Kevin van Veen entered the 2016–17 campaign with renewed purpose, scoring in the opening day 3-1 triumph over Bristol Rovers at Glanford Park.
At Scunthorpe, his partnership with Paddy Madden flourished, and his performances were strong enough to attract a reported £4 million bid from Chinese club Henan Jianye, which was rejected. Hence, he remained at Scunthorpe, finishing the season with 12 goals in 42 outings, a solid return that highlighted his importance.
In January 2018, van Veen moved to Northampton Town, seeking a fresh start. Although his initial spell yielded no goals and ended in relegation, he responded strongly the following season, scoring on the opening day against Carlisle United and adding a brace against Cambridge United soon after.
His time at Sixfields Stadium in Northampton was relatively brief, though, and by January 2019 he had returned to Scunthorpe, where he experienced both highs and lows, scoring 10 league goals in the 2019–20 season but also enduring relegation battles and controversy, including a heated exchange with Manchester City youngster Taylor Harwood-Bellis during a cup match.
After an underwhelming 2020–21 campaign, he chose to move on, and in July 2021 he signed for Motherwell, reuniting with manager Graham Alexander. That move, in many ways, reignited his career, as he scored on his Scottish Premiership debut in a 3–2 loss to Hibernian, earning praise for his performance despite the result.
His first season saw him net nine league goals, but it was the 2022–23 campaign that truly defined him, as he scored 25 goals in 40 appearances, including hat-tricks against Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Ross County. From March to May 2023, he embarked on a remarkable scoring streak, netting in 11 consecutive league games, breaking club records and matching feats last seen in Scottish football decades earlier.
He was duly named in the PFA Scotland Team of the Year and earned a nomination for the Players’ Player of the Year award, recognition that underlined his impact. Despite interest from abroad, he eventually returned to the Netherlands in 2023, joining FC Groningen. Yet, his time there was short-lived, and he returned to Scotland on loan with Kilmarnock and later St Mirren, although the latter spell ended prematurely due to off-field issues.
Then, at the beginning of the 2025-26 campaign, Kevin van Veen returned to his roots, signing for FC Eindhoven, and in doing so, he completed a journey that had taken him from rejection to redemption, from amateur pitches to record-breaking runs, and from obscurity to recognition.