Etienne Vaessen

RKC Waalwijk

Etienne Vaessen was born on 26 July 1995 in Breda. Initially playing at amateur level, he joined professional club RKC Waalwijk in 2015 at age 20. He made his professional debut in the Eerste Divisie for RKC on 12 August 2016 in a game against FC Emmen. There, he came on as a substitute in the 22nd minute for the injured Tamati Williams. On 28 May 2019, Vaessen won promotion to the Eredivisie with RKC after a season finale showdown against Go Ahead Eagles, which ended in a 5–4 win.

Groningen

On 26 June 2024, Vaessen signed a three-year contract with an option for an additional year with newly promoted Eredivisie club Groningen.

Vaessen was born and raised in the Netherlands, but has Surinamese roots via his grandfather with the name of Burnet. On 4 April 2024 Vaessen announced in an interview with ESPN that talks were ongoing with the Surinamese Football Association to play for Suriname on international level, following an interview with Suriname national team manager Stanley Menzo on 1 April. Vaessen made his debut on 5 June 2024 in a World Cup qualifier against Saint Vincent and the Grenadines at the Dr. Ir. Franklin Essed Stadion, as Suriname won 4–1.

Club

As of match played 14 May 2025

International

As of match played 4 November 2025

Vaessen is part Amerindian descent, through his grandfather. While working as a guard for MediaMarkt and playing amateur football in 2014, Vaessen was stabbed while chasing a shoplifter, leaving him hospitalised for days.