Pjotr Kestens

Pjotr Kestens (born 26 October 2001) is a Belgian professional footballer who plays as a winger for Challenger Pro League club Dender.

Early life and youth career Kestens was born in Ghent, Belgium, and raised in Mechelen. He began playing youth football with local side KV Mechelen before moving to the academy of Zulte Waregem. In 2019, at the age of 17, he joined the youth system of NAC Breda in the Netherlands.

His development at NAC progressed rapidly. After scoring seven goals in 13 matches for the under-19 team, he was invited to train with the senior squad in early 2020. Around the same time, he had represented Belgium at under-17 level, earning two caps prior to his move abroad.

In June 2020, Kestens signed his first professional contract with NAC—a two-year deal with an option for a third season. NAC's technical director at the time, Tom Van den Abbeele, described him as "a quick, technically skilled flank player who is comfortable on both wings and enjoys taking on defenders one-on-one." Kestens expressed appreciation for the opportunity to begin his professional career at what he called "a tradition club," and joined the first-team squad ahead of the 2020–21 Eerste Divisie season.

In the following season, Kestens became a more regular presence in the matchday squad. He featured in 25 league matches—10 of them as a starter—and scored three goals. Over two seasons with the first team, he made a total of 32 appearances and recorded three goals and two assists. He was predominantly used as an impact player, contributing during NAC's campaigns in the second tier, where the club narrowly missed out on promotion.

Eindhoven Kestens joined FC Eindhoven ahead of the 2022–23 Eerste Divisie season. Throughout the 2022–23 campaign, Kestens was a regular member of the squad. He made 21 league appearances, contributing two goals and two assists, as Eindhoven secured a place in the promotion playoffs. He featured in one play-off match, with the club ultimately failing to gain promotion. At the end of the season, his contract expired and he left the club as a free agent.

RWDM Brussels In June 2024, Kestens returned to Belgian football by signing a two-year contract with an option for a third year with RWDM. The Brussels-based club had recently been relegated from the Belgian Pro League and was restructuring its squad in preparation for a promotion campaign. The announcement noted that Kestens, then 22 years old, had joined on a free transfer following the expiry of his contract with Eindhoven. The move marked his first time playing professionally in Belgium, having previously spent his entire senior career in the Netherlands. In addition to his league performances, he featured in the Belgian Cup, helping the club reach the seventh round.

Dender On 29 July 2026, Kestens signed with recently relegated Challenger Pro League club FCV Dender EH after a successful trial.

International career Kestens has represented Belgium at youth level. In 2018, he earned two caps for the Belgium under-17 national team.