Ella Van Kerkhoven

Ella Van Kerkhoven (born 20 November 1993) is a Belgian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Eredivisie club FC Twente and the Belgium national team. She previously played for Oud-Heverlee Leuven, RSC Anderlecht in Belgium, as well as Inter Milan in Italy and Feyenoord in the Netherlands.

Club career Van Kerkhoven started her career with Oud-Heverlee Leuven and joined Anderlecht in 2015. During the 2017–18 season, she was the league's top goalscorer with 29 goals in 25 games. In August 2019, Van Kerkhoven transferred to Inter Milan of the Italian Serie A. before returning to Anderlecht on 21 June 2021. On 20 June 2022, Van Kerkhoven was announced at Oud-Heverlee Leuven.

On 1 February 2024, Van Kerkhoven was announced at Feyenoord on an eighteen-month contract.

International career Van Kerkhoven made her debut for the Belgium national team on 31 August 2018, in a 1–0 win over Romania in Botoșani. She scored the winning goal after entering play as a second half substitute.

She was named in the Belgium squad for UEFA Women's Euro 2022 in England, where the Red Flames were beaten in the quarter-finals 1–0 by Sweden. She went on to contribute to Belgium's successful qualification for UEFA Women's Euro 2025 via the play-offs, starting both legs of the play-off final against Ukraine, scoring in the 2-0 first-leg victory in Antalya.

On 11 June 2025, Van Kerkhoven was called up to the Belgium squad for the UEFA Women's Euro 2025.

Personal life Van Kerkhoven is in a relationship with Belgian footballer Diede Lemey. She is not related to former Belgian international Nico Van Kerkhoven.

Career statistics International

+ List of international goals scored by Ella Van KerkhovenDate Venue OpponentScoreResult Competition 1 1 Stadionul Municipal, Botoșani, Romania 0–1 0–1 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification 2 9 Municipal Stadium, Pylos, Greece 0–11–2 Friendly 3 10 Den Dreef, Leuven, Belgium 1–0 6–1 4 3–0 5 4–0 6 11 2–2 3–3 7 3–2 8 16 Herman Vanderpoortenstadion, Lier, Belgium 2–1 4–1 9 4–1 10 21 FFA Academy Stadium, Armenia 0–20–7 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification 11 0–5 12 0–6 13 23 Joseph Marien Stadium, Brussels, Belgium 7–0 7–0 Friendly 14 25 29 October 2024 Den Dreef, Leuven, Belgium 1–0 5–0 UEFA Women's Euro 2025 qualifying play-offs 15 5–0 16 26 29 November 2024 Mardan Sports Complex, Antalya, Turkey 1–0 2–0