Jan Paul van Hecke

Early career

Born in Arnemuiden, Van Hecke is a youth product of VV Goes, but signed for NAC Breda in 2018. He made his professional debut with NAC Breda in a 5–1 Eerste Divisie win over Helmond Sport on 16 August 2019.

Brighton & Hove Albion

On 10 September 2020, Van Hecke joined Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion on a three-year contract.

Loan moves

On 18 September 2020, van Hecke returned to the Netherlands on a season-long loan with Eredivisie side Heerenveen. He made his debut for Heerenveen in a 3–1 Eredivisie away victory against Fortuna Sittard on 19 September 2020. On 29 August 2021, van Hecke joined Blackburn Rovers of the Championship on loan for the 2021–22 season. He made his debut on 16 October, playing the whole match of the 2–2 home draw against Coventry City. He was sent off for a reckless challenge on Harry Wilson on his fifth appearance with Rovers already 2–0 down in an eventual 7–0 defeat at home to Fulham on 3 November. Van Hecke scored his first goal for Blackburn and in English football, doubling Rovers' lead with a powerful header in a 2–0 away victory against the second-place AFC Bournemouth on 11 December, closing the gap to four points to their promotion rivals. He was named as the club's Player of the Season for 2021–22, becoming the first loan player to achieve the accolade.

Breakthrough with Brighton

Van Hecke made his debut for Brighton on 24 August 2022, helping keep a clean sheet in the 3–0…

Van Hecke was called up to the Netherlands under-21 squad for the first time in March 2022, but was an unused substitute in a goalless UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying draw against Bulgaria. He debuted on 3 June, coming on as a substitute in the 3–0 away victory against Moldova under-21 in a 2023 European under-21 Championship qualifier. On 16 August 2024, Van Hecke was named in the 35-man provisional Netherlands squad for the Nations League ties against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Germany alongside Brighton teammates Bart Verbruggen and Mats Wieffer. He was originally left out of the final squad, but received his first senior call-up on 1 September after the withdrawal of Micky van de Ven due to injury. On 10 September, Van Hecke debuted in a 2–2 UEFA Nations League draw against Germany at Johan Cruyff Arena, replacing Matthijs de Ligt at half-time of a 2–2 draw. On 27 May 2026, Van Hecke was named in the Netherlands' squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He scored his first international goal in a 3–1 victory over Tunisia during the World Cup group stage.

Club

As of match played 5 September 2026

International

As of match played 30 June 2026

Netherlands score listed first, score column indicates score after each van Hecke goal.

Van Hecke is the nephew of the Dutch retired footballer Jan Poortvliet.