Vito van Crooy

Vito van Crooij (born 29 January 1996) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a winger for club NEC. He won the Eerste Divisie Young Player of the Year in 2016 for his performances for VVV-Venlo.

His brother, Delano van Crooij plays professionally as a goalkeeper.

Club career Born in Venlo, van Crooij made his debut for VVV-Venlo at the age of 18 in the KNVB Cup against Eindhoven at the start of the 2014–15 Season, however he did not score until the game against MVV in the KNVB Cup, scoring once in the 2–0 victory. His first league game in the Eerste Divisie was in the 3–0 victory against Achilles '29. However, Van Crooy did not score a league goal until February, netting the winner in the 1–0 victory against Almere City.

In the 2015–16 season, van Crooij was part of the VVV-Venlo squad which finished second in the Eerste Divisie. He scored 13 goals and recorded 8 assists throughout the season playing as a left winger. He was part of the VVV-Venlo team which lost in the play off final of the Eerste Divisie. He just missed out on the Eerste Divisie Young Player of the Year Award for the 2015–16 season where he was nominated due to his impressive performances for VVV.

In the 2016–17 season, van Crooij started the season well, scoring the equaliser in the 2–1 victory over SC Cambuur. Since then he has scored more goals, including a penalty in the 2–1 defeat to Helmond Sport.

On 13 July 2018, he became a new PEC Zwolle player.

On 25 August 2020, he returned to VVV-Venlo.

On 25 June 2021, Van Crooij signed a three-year contract with Sparta Rotterdam. On 14 August 2022, he scored the fastest goal in Eredivisie history – after eight seconds against AZ Alkmaar.

On 7 September 2023, van Crooij joined Saudi Pro League club Al-Wehda on a three-year deal.

On 30 September 2024, van Crooij signed a three-season contract with NEC. On 9 January 2026, Van Crooij returned to Sparta Rotterdam on a six-month loan.

International career Van Crooij played 6 games for the Netherlands national under-20 football team and one for the U21s.

Career statistics

Honours VVV-Venlo Eerste Divisie: 2016–17,

Individual Eredivisie Team of the Month: March 2023, January 2025