Johan Kappelhof joins Real Salt Lake as a free agent after a six-year tenure with Chicago Fire FC. The Dutch center back comes to Utah with nearly 150 Major League Soccer appearances between the regular and postseason, as well as 123 appearances in the Eredivisie, the Netherlands’ top flight of professional soccer.
Here is everything you need to know about Kappelhof’s career prior to joining RSL:
- Kappelhof, 31, was born in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
- The defender began his soccer career within the storied Ajax Academy, where he spent 13 years, appearing for several of the organization’s youth teams.
- Kappelhof signed his first professional contract in July of 2011 with FC Groningen, competing in the Eredivisie, the Netherlands’ top flight of professional soccer.
- While with FC Groningen Kappelhof appeared in 123 league matches and 38 postseason games, including six in the UEFA Europa League, the second-highest European soccer competition.
- During his fourth season with Groningen he helped the team win the KNVB Cup, the Eredivise league trophy, marking the club’s first major trophy, simultaneously clinching a spot in the UEFA Europa League.
- Ahead of the 2016 season Kappelhof transferred to Chicago Fire FC.
- In six seasons with Chicago he appeared in 147 regular season games, during which he recorded 10 assists.
- During the 2017 season he helped Chicago qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs, their first postseason appearance since 2012.
- At the international level Kappelhof has appeared in five matches for the U21 Netherlands Men’s National Team, including during the 2011 UEFA European U21 Championship Qualification.
- Throughout his professional career he has recorded four goals and 10 assists in a combined 319 professional appearances.
Fast Facts:
- Kappelhof is only the second Dutch player in the Club’s 18 years, and the first since the 2009 Major League Soccer Season. Kappelhof joins Rachid El Khalifi, who helped RSL earn the 2009 MLS Cup - the Club’s only trophy, as the only two Dutchmen to dawn the Claret and Cobalt.
- Kappelhoff will join RSL as the fifth oldest on the team, behind Justin Meram (33), Everton Luiz (33), Marcelo Silva (32) and Damir Kreilach (32).
- Between Kappelhoff and fellow center backs Marcelo Silva and Justen Glad the trio has appeared in 361 league matches. They are joined by Erik Holt who has played 30 MLS matches, as well as Zack Farnsworth and Jaziel Orozco who have both yet to make their MLS debut.
- Outside of Aaron Herrera who has recorded 16 assists during his time with RSL, Kappelhof will lead all Real Salt Lake defenders in league-career assists with 10, more than the Andrew Brody (two assists), Justen Glad (one assist) and Marcelo Silva (zero assists) combined.
- Kappelhof is one of only six players in Major League Soccer from the Netherlands, joining Danny Hoesen (Austin FC), Nick Marsman (Inter Miami), Nigel Robertha (DC United), Silvester van Der Water (Orlando City) and Kenneth Vermeer (FC Cincinnati).
What he is Saying About RSL:
“I have always seen RSL as a great and solid club. My first experience goes back to 2016 playing against RSL in the Rio Tinto stadium impressed by the atmosphere in the stadium and seen a great and loud fanbase. I think we have a good group of guys in the locker room with a good mix of young and experienced players I yet have to see the facility and city but I only heard positive feedback about it. RSL is very ambitious club and you can feel that everyone is eager to built on top of last years success ”
