Cedric Hatenboer

Cedric Joriaan Hatenboer (born 19 March 2005) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Eredivisie club Sparta Rotterdam.

Career Early years Born in Rotterdam, Hatenboer began his footballing career with local amateur club VOC before joining the academy of Excelsior in 2013. Later that year, he moved across the city to the youth set-up of Sparta Rotterdam, where he continued his development.

In July 2015, Hatenboer was recruited by the academy of Ajax, joining one of the Netherlands' most prominent youth systems. During his time in Amsterdam, he featured for the club's under-14 side and was regarded as one of the more technically gifted players in his age group. His development at Ajax was significantly disrupted by a serious illness in his early teenage years. After participating in a youth tournament abroad, Hatenboer contracted a legionella infection along with intestinal parasites, which left him without energy and forced him to the sidelines for approximately eight months. According to Vink, although the player himself wished to remain in Amsterdam, family circumstances also contributed to his return to the Rotterdam area. At Feyenoord, Hatenboer featured in the club's under-16 and under-17 sides in the national youth divisions. He later stated that he had been considered for a professional contract while playing for the club's under-18 side, but was ultimately released following discussions with technical director Frank Arnesen. The contract followed a period of physical development with the club's under-21 team after an injury had limited him during the previous campaign. On 30 August 2024, he scored his first senior goal in a 2–2 draw away to ADO Den Haag, registering his maiden strike in professional football. Hatenboer established himself as a regular starter during the campaign as Excelsior mounted a promotion challenge. At the conclusion of the season, the club secured promotion to the Eredivisie, marking Hatenboer's first senior honour.

Anderlecht On 29 January 2025, Belgian Pro League club Anderlecht announced the signing of Hatenboer on a contract running until June 2029. As part of the arrangement, he finished the season at Excelsior.

Loan to Telstar Having found first-team opportunities limited during the first half of the 2025–26 season, Hatenboer returned to the Netherlands on 5 January 2026, joining Eredivisie club Telstar on loan for the remainder of the campaign. The agreement included an option to make the transfer permanent.

Hatenboer made his debut for Telstar—as well as his Eredivisie debut—on 11 January 2026, starting in defensive midfield in place of the injured Tyrone Owusu in a 3–2 home defeat to his former youth club Ajax. He was sent off in the 53rd minute following a challenge on Youri Regeer. A regular during his six months at Telstar, Hatenboer made 15 league appearances and provided three assists, helping the club secure survival on the final matchday.

Career statistics