Ilai Grootfaam
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 15 March 2010 | ||
| Place of birth | Vlissingen, Netherlands | ||
| Position | Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Feyenoord | ||
| Number | 79 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| –2018 | VC Vlissingen | ||
| 2018–2025 | Ajax | ||
| 2025– | Feyenoord | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2026– | Feyenoord | 1 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2025 | Netherlands U15 | 2 | (0) |
| 2025– | Netherlands U16 | 5 | (1) |
|
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 13:29, 26 April 2026 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals as of 13:29, 26 April 2026 (UTC) | |||
Ilai Grootfaam (born 15 March 2010) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Eredivisie club Feyenoord.
Club career
Grootfaam started playing football in the academy of amateur side VC Vlissingen. In the summer of 2018, at an age of 8, he moved with his family to Amsterdam to play in the academy of Ajax, where he had a weekly training session in the months prior. He was also approached by Feyenoord, PSV and Sparta Rotterdam.[1] On 7 July 2025, Grootfaam moved to Ajax' arch rivals Feyenoord, signing a three-year contract.[2] He went on to play for the under-16 team.[3] On 25 February 2026, his contract at Feyenoord was extended with a year, to mid-2029.[4]
In a goalless league draw against FC Volendam on 6 April 2026, Grootfaam was included in the match squad of Feyenoord's first team for the first time.[5] He scored for Feyenoord's first team in a friendly match against Excelsior (1–1) on 17 April 2026.[6] Grootfaam made his professional debut on 25 April 2026, replacing Thijs Kraaijeveld during a 3–1 win over FC Groningen in the Eredivisie. With an age of 16 years and 41 days, he became the youngest ever player to make his debut for Feyenoord, taking over the club record from Antoni Milambo.[7][8]
International career
Grootfaam has represented the Netherlands at under-15 and under-16 level since 2025.[9][10]
Career statistics
- As of match played 25 April 2026[11]
| Club | Season | League | National cup | Europe | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Feyenoord | 2025–26 | Eredivisie | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | |
| Career total | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
References
- ↑ Hooft, Barry van der (15 November 2017). "Voor Ilai (7) gaat zijn voetbaldroom in vervulling" [For Ilai (7) his football dream comes true]. Provinciale Zeeuwse Courant (in Dutch). Retrieved 26 April 2026.
- ↑ "Feyenoord legt talentvolle Ilai Grootfaam vast" [Feyenoord signs talented Ilai Grootfaam]. Feyenoord (in Dutch). 7 July 2025. Retrieved 26 April 2026.
- ↑ Oevelen, Wesley van (19 January 2026). "Feyenoord-talent rekent met winnend doelpunt af met indianenverhalen over Ajax-terugkeer: 'Het enige antwoord'" [Feyenoord talent dispels myths about Ajax return with winning goal: ‘The only answer’]. Algemeen Dagblad (in Dutch). Retrieved 26 April 2026.
- ↑ "Contract Ilai Grootfaam verlengd tot medio 2029" [Ilai Grootfaam's contract extended until mid-2029]. Feyenoord (in Dutch). 25 February 2026. Retrieved 26 April 2026.
- ↑ "Dit viertal moet Feyenoord-debutant Zinhagel (16) voor zich dulden" [Feyenoord debutant Zinhagel (16) has to accept this quartet ahead of him]. Voetbal International (in Dutch). 6 April 2026. Retrieved 26 April 2026.
- ↑ "Feyenoord speelt bij rentree Read gelijk in oefenduel met stadsgenoot Excelsior" [Feyenoord draws in friendly against city rival Excelsior upon Read's return]. ESPN (in Dutch). 17 April 2026. Retrieved 26 April 2026.
- ↑ "Jongste Feyenoord-debutant heeft nog nooit van Willem van Hanegem gehoord: 'Ken ik niet'" [Youngest Feyenoord debutant has never heard of Willem van Hanegem: ‘I don’t know him’]. Algemeen Dagblad (in Dutch). 26 April 2026. Retrieved 26 April 2026.
- ↑ "Grootfaam jongste debutant in Feyenoord-geschiedenis" [Grootfaam youngest debutant in Feyenoord history]. Voetbal International (in Dutch). 25 April 2026. Retrieved 26 April 2026.
- ↑ "OnsOranje". OnsOranje (in Dutch). Retrieved 26 April 2026.
- ↑ "OnsOranje". OnsOranje (in Dutch). Retrieved 26 April 2026.
- ↑ "Ilai Grootfaam Stats". Soccerway. Retrieved 26 April 2026.
External links
- Ilai Grootfaam at WorldFootball.net
- Ilai Grootfaam at Eredivisie.eu