PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Roshon Felix Romar Jordan van Eijma |
| Date of Birth | 09/06/1998 (Age: 28) |
| Place of Birth | Tilburg, Netherlands |
| Nationality | Curaçaoan / Dutch |
| Height | 1.86 m / 6 ft 1 in |
| Weight | 78 kg |
| Position | Centre-Back |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Squad Number | #3 |
| Current Club | RKC Waalwijk |
| Previous Clubs | Roda JC, Preußen Münster, TOP Oss |
| International Caps | 18+ |
| International Goals | 0 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Contract Until | 30/06/2026 |
| Market Value | €362K |
The Frozen Moment
June 21, 2026. Quito, Ecuador. The FIFA World Cup. Curaçao, a nation making its tournament debut, faced Ecuador in their second group-stage match. For Roshon van Eijma, the 28-year-old centre-back who had been named in Curaçao’s World Cup squad, it was his first taste of action on football’s greatest stage.
Van Eijma entered the match in the 76th minute, playing just 14 minutes of a hard-fought 0-0 draw against the hosts. For a player who had been a regular starter throughout the 2025/26 Eerste Divisie season with RKC Waalwijk, making 27 appearances and logging over 2,000 minutes, his World Cup minutes were brief but meaningful. He had achieved what every footballer dreams of—representing his country at the FIFA World Cup.
The boy from Tilburg, who had been released by German side Preußen Münster because his many international call-ups with Curaçao were “no longer feasible” for a Regionalliga team, had proven his worth. His commitment to the Curaçaoan national team, which had once been seen as a complication, had led him to the pinnacle of the sport.
Origins
Born on June 9, 1998, in Tilburg, Netherlands, Roshon Felix Romar Jordan van Eijma began his football journey in the youth system of Willem II, one of the Netherlands’ historic clubs. He progressed through the U17 and U19 ranks at Willem II before making the move to Roda JC’s U21 setup in 2016.
In July 2018, van Eijma was promoted to Roda JC’s first team, making his Eerste Divisie debut on September 28, 2018, in a game against SC Cambuur. His early professional career was marked by steady progression through the Dutch second tier.
The Dutch and German Forge
Roda JC (2018-2020):
Van Eijma made 31 Eerste Divisie appearances for Roda JC across two seasons. In the 2018-19 season, he made 17 appearances (15 starts), and in 2019-20, he added 14 appearances, accumulating over 1,300 minutes of Eerste Divisie football. His time at Roda JC established him as a reliable centre-back in the Dutch second division.
Preußen Münster (2020-2021):
In September 2020, van Eijma moved to German Regionalliga West side Preußen Münster. His debut on December 13, 2020, against Rot-Weiß Oberhausen ended in controversy—he was sent off with a red card in the 54th minute. He played 11 games in the Regionalliga West during his first season and won the Westphalian Cup with the club.
His time in Germany was cut short due to a unique complication. Preußen Münster’s sporting director Peter Niemeyer explained: “As nice as it is to have a national player in your own ranks, so great are the difficulties associated with it. For a Regionalliga team that does not plan for international breaks in its schedule, the many national team selections were unfortunately no longer feasible in the end.” On August 17, 2021, his contract was terminated by mutual agreement.
The Return to the Netherlands
TOP Oss (2021-2024):
Ten days after being released by Preußen Münster, van Eijma signed with Eerste Divisie club TOP Oss. His time at Oss was transformative. Over three seasons, he made 92 league appearances and scored 8 goals. His most productive season was 2023-24, when he scored 5 goals and provided 1 assist in 36 appearances. His performances at Oss made him one of the most consistent defenders in the Eerste Divisie.
RKC Waalwijk (2024-Present):
On July 2, 2024, van Eijma signed a two-year contract with RKC Waalwijk. The 2024-25 season saw him make 24 Eredivisie appearances (22 starts), playing 1,818 minutes. He kept 5 clean sheets and recorded 1 yellow card across the campaign.
The 2025/26 season saw van Eijma return to the Eerste Divisie with RKC Waalwijk after the club’s relegation. He made 27 appearances, starting 22 matches and accumulating 2,049 minutes of action. He recorded 3 yellow cards and 1 red card in the campaign.
The Anatomy of His Game
Roshon van Eijma is a commanding centre-back known for his defensive contributions, physical presence, and ability to read the game. At 186 cm, he is a formidable figure at the back.
In Possession:
Van Eijma is not known for prolific goal-scoring, but his distribution is reliable. In his career, he has scored 8 goals and provided 2 assists across 200 professional appearances. His 2025/26 season in the Eerste Divisie saw him score 0 goals but he did provide 1 assist. His passing and ability to play out from the back are part of his game.
Out of Possession:
Van Eijma’s defensive statistics are exceptional. In the 2025/26 Eerste Divisie season, he recorded 1.45 tackles per 90 (46th percentile), 1.72 interceptions per 90 (95th percentile), and 6.11 clearances per 90 (96th percentile). He is dominant in the air, winning 1.76 aerial duels per 90 (77th percentile). He also blocks shots effectively, with 0.92 shots blocked per 90 (92nd percentile). His 95th percentile ranking for interceptions and 96th for clearances demonstrate his value in defensive phases.
He has a tendency to pick up cards—5 yellow cards and 1 red card in the 2025/26 season. His disciplinary record across his career includes 31 yellow cards and 2 red cards in 174 appearances.
Psychological Edge:
Van Eijma’s commitment to the Curaçaoan national team has been a defining feature of his career. His release from Preußen Münster came precisely because he was too valuable to Curaçao, with his many international selections conflicting with the German club’s schedule. His selection for the 2026 World Cup squad justified that commitment. His career demonstrates resilience—from a difficult start in Germany with a red card on debut to becoming a consistent performer in the Eerste Divisie and an international player.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot – 2025/26 Season
| Competition | Apps | Starts | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Clean Sheets | Yellow Cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eerste Divisie | 27 | 22 | 2,049 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| TOTAL | 28 | 22 | 2,063 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 |
TABLE B: Career Overview
| Season(s) | Club | League/Competition | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-2020 | Roda JC | Eerste Divisie | 31 | 0 |
| 2020-2021 | Preußen Münster | Regionalliga West | 11 | 0 |
| 2021-2024 | TOP Oss | Eerste Divisie | 92 | 8 |
| 2024-Present | RKC Waalwijk | Eredivisie / Eerste Divisie | 51 | 0 |
| TOTAL | — | — | 185+ | 8 |
TABLE C: International Record
| Tournament/Competition | Apps | Goals | Major Honours |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 1 | 0 | Group Stage |
| Curaçao Senior Career | 18+ | 0 | — |
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Eerste Divisie Debut | Roda JC vs SC Cambuur |
| 2018 | Professional Contract | Roda JC first team |
| 2020 | Preußen Münster Transfer | German Regionalliga West move |
| 2020-21 | Westphalian Cup Winner | Preußen Münster |
| 2021 | TOP Oss Transfer | Return to Eerste Divisie |
| 2021 | Curaçao Debut | International debut |
| 2024 | RKC Waalwijk Transfer | Eredivisie move |
| 2026 | World Cup Selection | Curaçao squad |
| 2026 | World Cup Debut | vs Ecuador (14 minutes) |
These figures reveal a player of consistent experience and defensive reliability. Van Eijma has accumulated over 185 professional appearances, scored 8 goals, and earned over 18 caps for Curaçao. His 2025/26 season was defined by elite-level defensive statistics in the Eerste Divisie.
The Present Tense
The RKC Waalwijk Story:
Roshon van Eijma is in his second season at RKC Waalwijk, having joined the club in July 2024. The 2025/26 season in the Eerste Divisie saw him make 27 appearances, starting 22 matches and accumulating over 2,000 minutes of action. His contract with RKC Waalwijk expires on June 30, 2026. His market value is estimated at €362,000.
The World Cup Campaign:
The 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico marked van Eijma’s first appearance at the tournament. He was named in Curaçao’s squad as a key defensive option. He made one appearance, coming on as a substitute in the 76th minute against Ecuador and playing 14 minutes in a 0-0 draw. He was an unused substitute in Curaçao’s matches against Germany and Ivory Coast. Curaçao were eliminated in the group stage.
International Record:
Van Eijma has earned over 18 caps for Curaçao since his debut in 2021. He has been a consistent fixture in the national team setup, featuring in World Cup qualifiers, CONCACAF Nations League matches, and the 2026 World Cup.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Roshon van Eijma is known for his commitment to the Curaçaoan national team. His release from Preußen Münster came precisely because of his dedication to international duty—a situation that the German club described as “not a satisfactory situation for neither player nor club.” This commitment ultimately paid off with a World Cup selection.
Van Eijma’s honours include the Westphalian Cup with Preußen Münster (2020-21). He holds Dutch nationality through his birth in Tilburg and represents Curaçao through his heritage.
His market value is estimated at €362,000, and his contract with RKC Waalwijk expires on June 30, 2026. He is right-footed and plays as a centre-back.
The Verdict from the Camp
Peter Niemeyer, Preußen Münster Sporting Director:
“As nice as it is to have a national player in your own ranks, so great are the difficulties associated with it. For a Regionalliga team that does not plan for international breaks in its schedule, the many national team selections were unfortunately no longer feasible in the end. This was not a satisfactory situation for neither player nor club.”
Statistic:
Van Eijma recorded 1.72 interceptions per 90 minutes (95th percentile) and 6.11 clearances per 90 (96th percentile) in the 2025/26 Eerste Divisie season.
Statistic:
Van Eijma has earned over 18 caps for Curaçao and appeared at the 2026 World Cup.
Statistic:
Van Eijma made 27 appearances for RKC Waalwijk in the 2025/26 Eerste Divisie season, starting 22 matches.
Statistic:
Van Eijma’s contract with RKC Waalwijk expires on June 30, 2026, and his market value is estimated at €362,000.
Statistic:
Van Eijma won the Westphalian Cup with Preußen Münster in the 2020-21 season.
Where Next?
Roshon van Eijma is 28 years old and at the peak of his career. His contract with RKC Waalwijk expires on June 30, 2026, making him a free agent following the World Cup. His defensive statistics in the Eerste Divisie—particularly his interceptions and clearances—will attract interest from clubs in the Netherlands and elsewhere.
A move to a club in a higher division is a possibility, given his experience in the Eredivisie with RKC Waalwijk in the 2024-25 season and his international experience at the World Cup. Alternatively, he could remain in the Netherlands and sign with another Eerste Divisie or Eredivisie club.
For Curaçao, van Eijma remains a key figure. With over 18 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 Willem II to the World Cup stage, from the Eerste Divisie to the Regionalliga West and back, Roshon van Eijma’s journey is one of commitment, resilience, and the power of representing one’s heritage. The boy from Tilburg who chose to represent Curaçao on the world stage has achieved the dream of every footballer—and his story is far from over.
