Former Dutch international Jerry de Jong has passed away at the age of 61, the Dutch Football Federation (KNVB) announced on Monday morning. A solid and experienced defender, he made his mark with his consistency and versatility across several clubs in the Netherlands. As the father of former international and current KNVB technical director Nigel de Jong, he leaves behind the memory of a committed player, respected for his seriousness and discipline on the pitch. His professional career spanned over a decade at the highest level of Dutch football.
Trained at AZ Alkmaar, Jerry de Jong made his professional debut there before progressing through several elite Dutch teams. He played notably for SC Heerenveen, PSV Eindhoven, and FC Groningen, racking up a total of 156 appearances in the Eredivisie. A reliable defender, he established himself as an experienced player capable of adapting to different defensive systems. His time at PSV remains one of the highlights of his career, where he gained visibility and consistency at the national level.
During his career, Jerry de Jong also had an experience abroad, joining SM Caen in France for one season.
This stint allowed him to explore a new league and a different football culture before returning to the Netherlands to continue his career. He then signed with FC Eindhoven and finished his professional journey at MVV Maastricht in 2000. This final chapter marked the end of a rich trajectory, built on consistency and adaptability in various sporting contexts.
On the international stage, Jerry de Jong earned three caps with the Netherlands in the early 1990s. He participated in the qualifiers for Euro 1992 and played all three matches against Greece, Malta, and Finland. At that time, he was playing for PSV, which helped him secure a spot in the national team rotation. Although his time with the national team was brief, it was significant in the context of a highly competitive generation for the Oranje.
In terms of titles, Jerry de Jong won two Dutch championships with PSV Eindhoven during the 1990/91 and 1991/92 seasons. He also added a KNVB Cup to his trophy cabinet, winning it in 1989/90 with the same club. These trophies capped off a particularly successful period in Dutch football. Beyond the accolades, his journey illustrates the strength of a defender who managed to thrive at the highest level and contribute to his teams’ successes.
sc Heerenveen has learned with sadness of the passing of former player Jerry de Jong. The former defender and ex-international was 61 years old
🗞️ https://t.co/p1rl5N2v1C pic.twitter.com/c2iXId0R2H
— sc Heerenveen (@scHeerenveen) June 15, 2026
