Wouter Goes

Wouter Maarten Goes (born 10 June 2004) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for club AZ. He has represented the Netherlands at youth international level.

Club career Goes progressed through the AZ academy, having earlier played for Ajax's youth teams, and captained several of AZ's age-group sides. He signed his first professional contract in November 2020, at which point he was captain of the under-17 side.

During the 2021–22 season, Goes was part of the under-19 team that reached the round of 16 of the UEFA Youth League through the Champions Path, eliminating Angers and Villarreal along the way. He made his senior debut for the reserve side Jong AZ on 4 February 2022, starting in a 2–1 Eerste Divisie defeat away to Ajax's reserve team.

Goes made his Eredivisie debut for AZ's senior side on 4 February 2023, starting in a match against Volendam. Three weeks later, on 25 February, he scored his first Eredivisie goal in a 2–1 win over Cambuur. The following season he established himself in the side.

On 21 April 2025 he played in the KNVB Cup final, in which AZ lost to Go Ahead Eagles on penalties after a 1–1 draw.

Style of play and reputation Goes is a combative centre-back who models his game on Sergio Ramos, whom he named as his example in a 2024 interview with Voetbal International.

His aggressive, physical style has made him a repeatedly discussed figure in the Eredivisie and has drawn criticism from opponents and pundits. After the 2025 KNVB Cup final, in which AZ lost to Go Ahead Eagles, several pundits and opposing players criticised his on-field conduct; Go Ahead Eagles forward Victor Edvardsen called him "a stupid and nasty guy". and said he wanted to move away from the theatrics in his game.

International career Goes has represented the Netherlands at under-15 through under-21 level. The following year he featured for the under-21s in a 2–1 away win over Italy.

Career statistics

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

Individual Eredivisie Talent of the Month: December 2024, May 2025 Eredivisie Team of the Month: December 2024, May 2025