PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Joshua Benjamin Brenet |
| Date of Birth | 20/03/1994 (Age: 32) |
| Place of Birth | Kerkrade, Netherlands |
| Nationality | Curaçaoan / Dutch |
| Height | 1.81 m / 5 ft 11 in |
| Weight | 74 kg |
| Position | Right-Back / Full-Back |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Squad Number | #30 |
| Current Club | Kayserispor |
| Previous Clubs | PSV Eindhoven, TSG Hoffenheim, Vitesse (loan), Twente, Al-Rayyan, Livingston |
| International Caps | 20+ (Curaçao) |
| International Goals | 2 (Curaçao) |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Contract Until | 2027 |
| Market Value | €720K (peak: €9.8M in 2015) |
The Frozen Moment
June 25, 2026. Philadelphia. The FIFA World Cup. Curaçao faced Ivory Coast in their final group-stage match, and Joshua Brenet, the 32-year-old right-back from Kerkrade, was playing every minute. The tournament had already been a remarkable achievement—Curaçao’s first-ever World Cup appearance, and Brenet had started both of their matches, accumulating 179 minutes of action against Ecuador and Ivory Coast.
Just eight years earlier, Brenet had made two appearances for the Netherlands national team, playing in World Cup qualifiers against the likes of France and Sweden. Now he was representing Curaçao, the country of his parents’ heritage, on the biggest stage of all. FIFA had granted him special permission to switch allegiances, and he had not looked back, scoring two goals in over twenty appearances for his adopted nation.
The tournament ended in a 0-2 defeat to Ivory Coast, Curaçao eliminated in the group stage. But for Brenet, the achievement was profound. The boy from Kerkrade who had once been a three-time Eredivisie champion with PSV, who had fallen out with Julian Nagelsmann at Hoffenheim, who had narrowly avoided a prison sentence for driving without a licence, and who had been released from Livingston only to be snapped up by Kayserispor, had made it to the World Cup. His redemption was complete.
Origins
Born on March 20, 1994, in Kerkrade, Netherlands, Joshua Benjamin Brenet began his football journey in the Dutch youth system. He played for SV Heerlen and Roda JC before moving through the ranks of FC Omniworld, ASC Waterwijk, and A.V.V. Zeeburgia. In 2011, he joined PSV Eindhoven’s youth academy, a move that would define his early career.
Brenet made his professional debut for PSV on December 6, 2012, in a Europa League match against Napoli, coming on as a late substitute. Over the next six years, he would establish himself as a key figure in the PSV squad, winning three Eredivisie titles and making 150 appearances for the club.
His potential was recognised at the international level. Brenet represented the Netherlands at U18, U19, and U21 levels, and in 2016, he earned two senior caps for the Netherlands national team in World Cup qualifiers. But his senior international career with the Dutch stalled, and he would later switch his allegiance to Curaçao, the country of his parents’ heritage.
The European Forge
PSV Eindhoven (2012-2018):
Brenet’s time at PSV was the most successful period of his career. He made 109 Eredivisie appearances, scoring three goals, and was part of three league-winning teams (2014-15, 2015-16, 2017-18). His performance in the title-clinching 3-0 victory over Ajax on April 15, 2018, was a highlight of his PSV career. He also made appearances in European competition, including Champions League qualification matches. His market value peaked at €9.8 million during this period.
TSG Hoffenheim (2018-2022):
On May 24, 2018, Brenet signed for Bundesliga club TSG Hoffenheim for a fee reported to be €3.5 million. The move was partly instigated by the club’s manager, Julian Nagelsmann, who had identified Brenet as a key target. However, his time in Germany was defined by disappointment and disciplinary issues. Brenet made only 15 Bundesliga appearances across four seasons, and his relationship with Nagelsmann soured when he skipped a video session ahead of Hoffenheim’s first Champions League match against Shakhtar Donetsk.
Nagelsmann dropped him from the squad, and although he later pardoned him, Brenet made only sporadic appearances. Successor Alfred Schreuder did not use him at all, and Sebastian Hoeneß eventually sent him to the reserves in the fourth-tier Regionalliga Südwest. Repeated disciplinary issues, including chronic lateness, further compounded his reputation, and Hoffenheim failed to secure a transfer fee when he finally left.
Loan to Vitesse (2020-2021):
On January 31, 2020, Brenet joined Vitesse on loan until the end of the season. He made only four appearances for the club before the season was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
FC Twente (2022-2024):
Brenet’s career revived at FC Twente, where he made 60 Eredivisie appearances and scored 11 goals. His attacking contributions from right-back were notable—he accumulated 23 goal contributions in 74 appearances for the club. However, his off-field issues continued. In January 2023, Brenet was caught driving without a licence twice in the space of two weeks. He had lost his licence in 2020 following a drink-driving offence. The presiding judge described his actions as showing “no regard for authority,” sentencing Brenet to a one-month prison term in 2024. Although the sentence was later converted to community service on appeal, Twente terminated his contract.
The Middle Eastern and Scottish Sojourn
Al-Rayyan (2024-2025):
Following his departure from Twente, Brenet signed with Qatari side Al-Rayyan. He made only six appearances for the club and left in the summer of 2025.
Livingston (2025-2026):
On October 1, 2025, Livingston signed Brenet on a contract until the end of the season. He made 15 appearances for the Scottish Premiership club, but exercised a clause in his contract to depart in February 2026, joining Turkish top-flight side Kayserispor.
The Turkish Revival
Kayserispor (2026-Present):
Brenet joined Kayserispor in February 2026 on a contract until the summer of 2027. His impact was immediate—he became a regular starter, making 11 Süper Lig appearances in the 2025/26 season, starting 9 matches and accumulating 797 minutes of action. He kept 4 clean sheets in his appearances, with 10 interceptions and 18 clearances. His performance against Konyaspor on May 17, 2026, was particularly impressive—he played 90 minutes, provided 2 assists, and earned an 8.6 FotMob rating.
The National Team Journey
Brenet represented the Netherlands at the senior level in 2016, making two World Cup qualifying appearances. However, his international career stalled, and he later switched his allegiance to Curaçao, the country of his parents’ heritage.
FIFA granted him special permission to switch allegiances, and he has since earned over 20 caps for Curaçao, scoring two goals. He was a key figure in Curaçao’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the nation’s first-ever appearance at the tournament.
The World Cup Campaign:
Brenet started both of Curaçao’s World Cup matches in which he featured, playing 90 minutes against Ecuador and 89 minutes against Ivory Coast. He accumulated 179 minutes of World Cup action, with an average rating of 6.8. He did not record any goals or assists, but his defensive contributions were notable. Curaçao were eliminated in the group stage. He was also named in Curaçao’s squad for the World Cup opener against Germany, reuniting him with his former Hoffenheim manager Julian Nagelsmann.
The Anatomy of His Game
Joshua Brenet is an attacking right-back known for his pace, crossing ability, and offensive contributions. At 181 cm, he combines physical presence with technical quality.
In Possession:
Brenet’s attacking instincts down the flank have always been his calling card. His goal-scoring record as a defender is notable—he scored 11 goals in 60 appearances for Twente. In the 2025/26 Süper Lig season, he recorded 2 assists in 11 appearances. His expected assists (xA) in the World Cup was 0.03, with a passing accuracy of 78.7%.
Out of Possession:
Brenet’s defensive contributions are consistent. In the 2025/26 Süper Lig season, he recorded 7 tackles, 10 interceptions, and 18 clearances. He won 76.5% of his duels in the World Cup. He has received one yellow card and no red cards in the 2025/26 Süper Lig season.
Psychological Edge:
Brenet’s career demonstrates resilience, but also controversy. His disciplinary issues—including a drink-driving offence, driving without a licence, and a prison sentence for domestic violence—have marred his career. However, his ability to continue performing at a high level, representing Curaçao at the World Cup, and securing regular football at Kayserispor reflects a player with mental strength and determination.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot – 2025/26 Season
| Competition | Apps | Starts | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Clean Sheets | Yellow Cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Süper Lig (Kayserispor) | 11 | 9 | 797 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 1 |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 2 | 2 | 179 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Scottish Premiership (Livingston) | 14 | — | 884 | 0 | 1 | — | — |
| TOTAL | 27 | 11 | 1,860 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 1 |
TABLE B: Career Overview
| Season(s) | Club | League/Competition | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-2018 | PSV Eindhoven | Eredivisie / Europe | 150 | 3 |
| 2018-2022 | TSG Hoffenheim | Bundesliga / Europe | 15 | 2 |
| 2020-2021 | Vitesse (loan) | Eredivisie | 4 | 0 |
| 2022-2024 | FC Twente | Eredivisie | 60 | 11 |
| 2024-2025 | Al-Rayyan | Qatar Stars League | 6 | 0 |
| 2025-2026 | Livingston | Scottish Premiership | 15 | 0 |
| 2026-Present | Kayserispor | Süper Lig | 11 | 0 |
| TOTAL | — | — | 261+ | 16 |
TABLE C: International Record
| Tournament/Competition | Apps | Goals | Major Honours |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 2 | 0 | Group Stage |
| Curaçao Senior Career | 20+ | 2 | — |
| Netherlands Senior Career | 2 | 0 | — |
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | PSV Debut | Europa League vs Napoli |
| 2015 | Eredivisie Winner | PSV |
| 2016 | Eredivisie Winner | PSV |
| 2016 | Netherlands Debut | World Cup qualifier |
| 2018 | Eredivisie Winner | PSV |
| 2018 | Hoffenheim Transfer | €3.5M move |
| 2022 | FC Twente Transfer | Free transfer |
| 2024 | Curaçao Switch | FIFA special permission |
| 2026 | Kayserispor Transfer | Turkish Süper Lig |
| 2026 | World Cup Appearance | Curaçao debut |
These figures reveal a player of considerable experience who has won trophies at the highest level. Brenet has accumulated over 260 professional appearances, won three Eredivisie titles, and earned over 20 caps for Curaçao. His 2025/26 season was defined by a steady revival in Turkey and a World Cup appearance.
The Present Tense
The Kayserispor Story:
Joshua Brenet is currently a right-back for Kayserispor in the Turkish Süper Lig, having joined the club in February 2026. His contract with the club runs until the summer of 2027. In the 2025/26 Süper Lig season, he made 11 appearances, starting 9 matches and accumulating 797 minutes of action. He has recorded 2 assists and kept 4 clean sheets. His market value is estimated at €720,000.
The World Cup Campaign:
The 2026 FIFA World Cup marked Brenet’s first appearance at the tournament and Curaçao’s debut. He started two matches, playing 90 minutes against Ecuador and 89 minutes against Ivory Coast. He accumulated 179 minutes of World Cup action, with an average rating of 6.8. Curaçao were eliminated in the group stage. The tournament was especially significant for Brenet, as it brought him into direct confrontation with his former Hoffenheim manager Julian Nagelsmann, who was coaching Germany.
International Record:
Brenet has earned over 20 caps for Curaçao since switching his allegiance in 2024. He has scored two international goals. He represented the Netherlands at the senior level in 2016, making two appearances.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Joshua Brenet’s career has been marked by controversy. His disciplinary issues included a drink-driving offence in 2020, which led to the loss of his licence. In January 2023, he was caught driving without a licence twice in the space of two weeks. The presiding judge described him as showing “no regard for authority,” sentencing him to a one-month prison term in 2024. The sentence was later converted to community service on appeal. He had previously received a suspended sentence—including a fine and community service—for domestic violence in 2021.
Despite these issues, Brenet has continued his career, finding redemption with Kayserispor and the Curaçao national team. His honours include three Eredivisie titles with PSV (2014-15, 2015-16, 2017-18). His market value peaked at €9.8 million in 2015.
The Verdict from the Camp
Julian Nagelsmann, Germany Head Coach (on Brenet at Hoffenheim):
Brenet skipped a video session ahead of Hoffenheim’s first Champions League match against Shakhtar Donetsk, whereupon Nagelsmann dropped him from the squad.
Presiding Judge, on Brenet's driving offences:
“He clearly has no regard for authority. It seems to me as though he is continuing to play football after receiving a red card.”
PSV, in a retrospective feature:
“Joshua progressed from the home youth academy to PSV 1. In total, the defender played 150 matches for PSV, in which he became champion three times.”
Statistic:
Brenet made 150 appearances for PSV, winning three Eredivisie titles.
Statistic:
Brenet has earned over 20 caps for Curaçao and appeared at the 2026 World Cup.
Statistic:
Brenet’s market value peaked at €9.8 million in 2015.
Statistic:
Brenet made 2 assists in 11 Süper Lig appearances for Kayserispor in the 2025/26 season.
Statistic:
Brenet won 76.5% of his duels at the 2026 World Cup.
Where Next?
Joshua Brenet is 32 years old and entering the later stages of his career. His contract with Kayserispor runs until the summer of 2027. He has established himself as a regular starter in the Turkish Süper Lig and will be expected to continue his revival at the club.
A move back to a more prominent European league is unlikely given his age and the off-field issues that have defined his career. His focus will be on continuing to perform at Kayserispor and maintaining his place in the Curaçaoan national team.
For Curaçao, Brenet remains a key figure. With over 20 caps and a World Cup appearance under his belt, he offers experience, leadership, and defensive quality to the national team setup. He will be central to their ambitions in the next CONCACAF Gold Cup and World Cup cycles.
From the youth ranks of PSV to the World Cup stage, from Eredivisie titles to Bundesliga disappointment, from prison sentences to World Cup redemption, Joshua Brenet’s journey is one of talent, controversy, and the power of second chances. The boy from Kerkrade who once played for the Netherlands has found his home with Curaçao—and his story is far from over.
