Unknown Belgian 19-year-old makes breakthrough at Heerenveen

On a drizzly afternoon in the Frisian Heerenveen field, 19‑year‑old Nolhan Courtens, a still relatively unknown Belgian name, sees how he transforms into a key player for sc Heerenveen in the Eredivisie. His rise finally attracts attention in Belgium and hopes to make his family proud.

Slow rise via Belgian youth clubs

His chance in the Netherlands is the result of a long journey through various Belgian youth academies. Courtens subsequently went through the youth setups of Anderlecht, Tubize, Union, KV Mechelen and Antwerp. Yet his name remained largely under the radar in Belgium. Meanwhile, he is receiving increasing recognition in Friesland for his abilities.

"I had hoped before this season that I would get the chance and it came faster than expected. Then it's up to you to seize that chance and I'm glad I was able to do so," Courtens tells. His current breakthrough means a lot for the Belgian, who had to muster a great deal of patience along the way.

"That I can now show that in the Eredivisie is wonderful. A reward for myself and for my parents. Because I really owe a great deal to them," he says gratefully. Especially the support of his family played an important role in his journey.

Courtens grew, by his own account, up with a ball at his feet, although no one in his family was really interested in football. "Then we went to Disneyland and I didn't want to go on the rides at all, because I would rather be playing with my ball," he recalls. His passion even went so far that he regularly broke things at home. "All our kickboards were damaged. Sometimes it was a bit irritating for my parents," he admits.

Outside football, Courtens has a creative side; he enjoys painting. "Then I would just sit somewhere, in a park or somewhere with a view of a canal, and spend a few hours painting. That way you try to keep yourself a bit occupied. Gaming isn’t really for me, I prefer to be creative," he says. Nowadays that happens a bit less. "I haven’t painted for a few months now. These days I’m more into walking. And resting a lot, of course. Especially now that I play more, I really need it," he says.

As his name continues to grow in Belgium, Courtens can become a role model for young players who, through various youth clubs, are searching for a place in a foreign top league.