Roefs: Sunderland’s Rising Star Goalkeeper Making Waves in the Premier League

omidbasir- As Roefs approached the visitors’ dressing room at the City Ground, home of Nottingham Forest, Sunderland’s staff and players paused their conversations to offer enthusiastic cheers and applause for their new goalkeeper. His recent masterful saves had been pivotal in securing victory for the newly-promoted side, marking yet another instance of his crucial contributions this season.

Since his arrival in English football, Roefs has distinguished himself with his confidence, composure, skill with the ball, and, most importantly, his ability to make crucial saves. During Sunderland’s recent draw against Manchester City, he once again showcased his capabilities in a noteworthy showdown against Gianluigi Donnarumma, solidifying his status as a fan favorite among Black Cats supporters.

Former Watford striker Troy Deeney praised Roefs as the “best signing of the season” during his analysis for the BBC, while Jamie Carragher included him in his combined Premier League XI for the season’s first half. Ex-Liverpool defender Carragher remarked, “I’m very impressed with him. He’s made an excellent start to his Premier League career at Sunderland, which boasts one of the league’s best defenses. He has played a significant role in that success.” One Sunderland supporter humorously noted on X: “I would throw my dog off the bridge if I knew Roefs was standing below to catch him.”

Standing at 6’4″, Roefs currently holds the best save percentage in the Premier League this season at 79%. He has also caught the most balls (30), made 67 saves— averaging 3.5 per game—and kept seven clean sheets. Impressively, he has prevented a total of 3.71 expected goals and saved the only penalty taken against him. Considering this is only Roefs’ second full season as a regular first-choice goalkeeper, his achievements are remarkable.

In the 2023-24 season, Roefs was recognized as a talent at NEC Nijmegen but played second fiddle to seasoned Dutch international Jasper Cillessen. “I was able to test myself against Jasper every day,” he shared with Voetbal International. “He exemplifies what is required at the highest level. If my career turns out like his, I’d be thrilled. Jasper made it look easy, which is often hard for other goalkeepers. He has been a tremendous help to me, both on and off the pitch.”

After Cillessen’s departure to Las Palmas, Roefs took the opportunity to shine. Despite his strong debut season, he remained critical of his performances. “Am I satisfied with this season? The short answer: no,” he confessed. “I had too many moments where I didn’t perform well. That shouldn’t happen to me.”

When asked about the possibility of a transfer in February 2025, Roefs remarked, “If something good comes along, I’ll consider it. But I’m not assuming it will happen this summer.” However, Sunderland’s swift approach to NEC left general manager Wilco van Schaik astonished. “That’s the fastest transfer I’ve ever seen,” he shared on the De Grote Bestuurskamer podcast, recounting how negotiations concluded in just 20 minutes.

Roefs’ impressive performances during the Under-21s European Championship in the summer of 2025 played a crucial role in his transfer to Sunderland. He stood out against Portugal and performed admirably in the semi-final against England, catching the attention of scouts. Ironically, he was not initially expected to start, but an injury to another player led to him playing every match, a twist of fate that could shape his career.

For Sunderland, securing Roefs has proven to be a valuable decision. He secured a starting position during pre-season, and manager Regis Le Bris has no plans of sidelining him as the Black Cats pursue European qualification. The ultimate recognition for Roefs came at the end of August when Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman called him up for World Cup qualifiers against Poland and Lithuania. Although he has yet to debut for the national team, a starting position at the upcoming World Cup is within reach.

Reflecting on his journey, Roefs stated, “Four years ago, I was the third-choice goalkeeper at NEC, watching the World Cup from my friends’ sofa. Now, I have the chance to go to North America, and potentially play. Football can change so quickly. Just being part of the squad would be fantastic at my age. Of course, I dream of playing, but I’m focused on taking it step by step.”