1. Overview
Patrick Paauwe (Patrick Paauweˈpɛtrɪk ˈpʌu.əDutch; born December 27, 1975) is a former Dutch professional footballer who primarily played as a defensive midfielder or centre-back. Throughout his career, he was known for his versatility and strong presence on the field. Paauwe gained significant recognition during his eight-year tenure with Feyenoord, where he achieved major success, winning the Eredivisie in the 1998-99 season and the UEFA Cup in 2001-02. He also earned five caps for the Netherlands national team. His brother, Cees Paauwe, was also a professional footballer.
2. Early life and background
Patrick Paauwe's personal background includes his birth details, physical attributes, and family connections, notably his brother who also pursued a professional football career.
2.1. Birth and family
Patrick Paauwe was born on December 27, 1975, in Dronten, Netherlands. He stands at 72 in (184 cm) and weighs 174 lb (79 kg). He is known to be left-footed. His brother, Cees Paauwe, is also a former professional footballer, creating a family legacy within the sport.
3. Club career
Patrick Paauwe's club career spanned several Dutch and European teams, where he established himself as a versatile player capable of operating both in defense and midfield.
3.1. Early professional years
Paauwe began his professional career with PSV Eindhoven, playing for the club from 1993 to 1995, making two appearances without scoring. He then moved to De Graafschap for the 1995-1996 season, where he played in 23 matches. From 1996 to 1998, he played for Fortuna Sittard, featuring in 61 matches and scoring six goals, showcasing his developing abilities. These early years saw him transition from a promising youth talent into a solid professional player in the Dutch leagues.
3.2. Feyenoord
In 1998, Patrick Paauwe joined Feyenoord Rotterdam, marking the most significant period of his club career. He spent eight years with the club, from 1998 to 2006, primarily playing as a defensive midfielder but also occasionally as a centre-back. During his time at Feyenoord, he played a crucial role in the team's successes, making 229 appearances and scoring 25 goals in domestic league matches. He was an integral part of the squad that won the Eredivisie title in the 1998-99 season, a significant achievement for the club. The team also secured the Johan Cruyff Shield in 1999. His most notable international club achievement with Feyenoord was winning the UEFA Cup in the 2001-02 season, a testament to the team's strength and his contributions in major European competition.
3.3. Later career and retirement
Following his successful spell at Feyenoord, Paauwe ventured abroad for the first time in his career. In the 2006-2007 season, he transferred to Valenciennes FC in France, where he made 29 appearances and scored one goal. The next season, he moved to Borussia Mönchengladbach in Germany, playing there from 2007 to 2009, making 57 appearances and scoring four goals. In the summer of 2009, Paauwe returned to his native Netherlands, signing with VVV-Venlo. He played for VVV-Venlo until January 31, 2011, when he unexpectedly announced his retirement from professional football. With VVV-Venlo, he made 50 appearances and scored two goals in domestic league matches.
4. International career
Patrick Paauwe represented the Netherlands at the international level, earning caps for the senior national team and participating in youth tournaments.
4.1. National team appearances and debut
Paauwe made his debut for the Netherlands national football team on November 15, 2000, in a match against the Spanish national team. He went on to earn a total of five caps for the Netherlands national team. Prior to his senior international career, he also participated in the 1998 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, where the Netherlands U-21 team finished in fourth place.
4.2. International career statistics
Paauwe's international career statistics for the Netherlands national team are summarized in the table below:
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | 2000 | 1 | 0 |
| 2001 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2002 | 2 | 0 | |
| Total | 5 | 0 | |
5. Honours
Paauwe achieved several significant honours during his club career, primarily with Feyenoord.
- Eredivisie: 1998-99
- Johan Cruyff Shield: 1999
- UEFA Cup: 2001-02