Jan Paul Van Hecke - Soccer News, Rumors, & Updates | FOX Sports

Sees time in pre-season Van Hecke (hamstring) played 45 minutes in their pre-season friendly against the Kashima Antlers.

Impact Van Hecke finished out last season with a hamstring issue after missing the club's last game of the season. However, he appears to be fit again, as he did get time in their friendly, recording 45 minutes in the first half. That said, the defender should be considered fit for the start of the campaign, likely to be an everyday starter after getting the start in 26 games last season.

JULY 24 • ROTOWIRE

Out for finale Paul van Hecke (hamstring) won't be an option for Sunday's clash with Manchester United, according to manager Roberto De Zerbi.

Impact Paul van Hecke suffered a hamstring injury and missed two matches before being officially ruled out for the season. The defender is expected to make a full return before pre-season. Paul van Hecke finishes the season with 28 appearances (26 starts), his first season with a full time role in the starting XI.

MAY 17 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with hamstring injury Van Hecke didn't play Sunday against Bournemouth due to a hamstring injury. "I'm not sure for how long or how many games, but JP can't play at Bournemouth," manager Roberto de Zerb...

Impact Hamstring injuries are often tricky, and the fact that the manager is talking about potentially missing multiple could result in the defender not playing in the final games of the season. Van Hecke has been a regular for Brighton this season, starting in 26 of his 28 Premier League appearances.

APRIL 28 • ROTOWIRE

Solid defensively Van Hecke generated four tackles (one won), three clearances and three interceptions in Thursday's 4-0 defeat versus Manchester City.

Impact Van Hecke saw a great match Thursday, most likely due to Manchester City's constant attack, as all of his contributions came in the defense. He ended his 90 minutes of play, notching four tackles, three interceptions and three clearances, being the only defender to do much in the loss. He has nowstarted in 26 of his 28 league appearances this campaign, notching 30 interceptions, 47 tackles and 74 clearances in those games.

APRIL 26 • ROTOWIRE

Earns starting role Van Hecke has found himself in a starting role in his second season in the Premier League, having started in 24 of the club's 31 matches this campaign.

Impact Van Hecke started his career in Brighton last season, not seeing much time after transferring from Blackburn, only having gained eight appearances. However, he is now a regular sight on the field, registering 28 interceptions, 38 tackles and 78 clearances in his 26 appearances this campaign. The defender should remain in this position for most of the club's matches moving forward and will hope to stay in this role for a couple more seasons after inking a contract through 2027 in December.

FEBRUARY 28 • ROTOWIRE

Signs through 2027 Paul van Hecke signed a contract extension through 2027, Brighton announced.

Impact van Hecke signed the contract extension through 2027, his second extension in five months. The defender has really taken a step forward in 2023/24 and this contract is a reward for that strong form and big role. van Hecke will hope to build on that role moving forward with the new long-term deal.

DECEMBER 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Available for return van Hecke is set to return from a one-match Europa League ban.

Impact van Hecke was left sidelined during a 1-0 win over AEK and is now eligible to return. The defender has seen consistent starting minutes of late and with a plethora of injuries elsewhere in the starting XI there's no reason to think his starting role will dwindle.

NOVEMBER 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Starting again van Hecke kept a clean sheet during Thursday's 2-0 win over Ajax.

Impact van Hecke has been in and out of the starting XI, though he has been a guaranteed starter in the Europa League. The center-back has gone unused four times and appeared off the bench twice, as he continues to split minutes with Adam Webster. Neither option likes to get forward aggressively and both have limited upside offensively in general.

NOVEMBER 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Splitting starts Van Hecke has started two of the club's first four contests with Adam Webster featuring in the other two matches.

Impact Van Hecke has registered one shot (on target), eight clearances and four blocks in his two matches. Originally, Webster was coming off an injury but van Hecke got the start against Newcastle United on Saturday. The start of the Europa League Group Stage will likely see the pair of central defenders continue to share the workload.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Pens contract extension Van Hecke signed a contract extension with Brighton, Brighton announced Thursday.

Impact Van Hecke will spend at least one more season with The Seagulls, and he could see an uptick in playing time after appearing in the final four matches of the Premier League due to injuries elsewhere. That said with everyone fit and available Van Hecke could be left as a more rotational option behind Levi Colwill, Joel Veltman and Adam Webster.

JULY 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Makes second start Van Hecke got the start and made four blocks during Thursday's 4-1 loss to Newcastle.

Impact Van Hecke made just his second start in the Premier League and fifth appearance Thursday. The defender is buried at the bottom of the depth chart, only starting due to injuries to Levi Colwill (undisclosed), Joel Veltman (hamstring), and Adam Webster (strain). Van Hecke could see more starting time to close out the Premier League due to those same injuries elsewhere in the team.

MAY 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE