Hobie Verhulst

Hobie Verhulst (born 2 April 1993) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for club AZ. He formerly played for MVV, Volendam, and Go Ahead Eagles.

Club career AZ Verhulst joined the AZ youth academy from Kooger Football Club (KFC) in 2004. By 2010, he was part of the senior squad as a backup goalkeeper, sitting on the bench for UEFA Europa League matches against Sheriff Tiraspol and BATE Borisov and several Eredivisie games during the 2010–11 season. In 2013, he won the Beloften Eerste Divisie with Jong AZ.

MVV Failing to make a first-team appearance for AZ, Verhulst left on a free transfer to Eerste Divisie club MVV in July 2014. At MVV, Verhulst served as the backup to Jo Coppens. He made his professional debut on 6 February 2015, replacing the injured Coppens during a match against Sparta Rotterdam. Three days later, he played a full match against Jong Twente. Verhulst made three appearances for MVV, conceding six goals. Over three seasons, he played more than 100 matches and was named Player of the Season for 2016–17 by the club's supporters.

Go Ahead Eagles In the summer of 2018, Verhulst joined Go Ahead Eagles. During the 2018–19 season, Verhulst won the Bronze Shield as the best goalkeeper of the first period in the Eerste Divisie.

Return to AZ In 2020, Verhulst rejoined AZ, initially as a backup to Marco Bizot. He made two first-team appearances during Bizot's suspension and played four matches for Jong AZ in the Eerste Divisie.

In the first half of the 2022–23 season, Verhulst became AZ's first-choice goalkeeper after spending the previous season behind Peter Vindahl. However, following the winter arrival of Matthew Ryan, Verhulst lost his starting spot. After Ryan became eligible to play on 20 January 2023, Verhulst did not make another appearance that season.

Career statistics

Honours AZ KNVB Cup: 2025–26 Johan Cruyff Shield: 2026