Pim Balkestein

Heerenveen

Balkestein was born in the Dutch city of Gouda on 29 April 1987. He is the son of former Sparta Rotterdam and Feyenoord player Luuk Balkestein. He came through the academy ranks at SC Heerenveen, making the step up from the under-19 squad to the first team for the 2006–07 season. However, the defender never made a first team appearance for the club. At the end of the 2007–08 season, Balkestein joined championship side Ipswich Town on trial, impressing manager Jim Magilton enough to be offered a permanent deal following his strong performance in a friendly for Ipswich Town Reserves against Tottenham Hotspur Reserves.

Ipswich Town

On 16 June 2008, Balkestein signed a two-year contract with Ipswich Town with the option of a further year extension. As a result of the transfer, a fee of £180,000 was paid to his former club SC Heerenveen as compensation. Balkestein made his professional and Football League debut for Ipswich Town on 9 August 2008 in a 2–1 defeat by Preston North End. The 21-year-old defender would go on to make 20 league appearances in total for Ipswich Town during the 2008–09 season. Balkestein also featured for "The Blues" in the first round of the 2008–09 League Cup in a 4–1 win over Leyton Orient on 12 August 2008 as well as in the third round fixture against Wigan Athletic on 24 September 2008 which ended as a 4–1 defeat. The defender also played for Ipswich Town in their 3–1 defeat by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the fourth round…

As of match played 6 October 2020