Bert Esselink

Bert Esselink of Dundee United was born in Arnhem, Netherlands on 16 August 1999 (age 27).

Bert Esselink, born on 16 August 1999 (age 27), is a Dutch central defender with Dundee United. An imposing 6ft 3in (1.91m) player, he wears the number three shirt and is valued at around £298,000 by Transfermarkt.

His career to this point is shaped mainly by Stal Mielec. Across two seasons with the Polish club, he made 54 league appearances and scored twice. His most productive campaign came in 2023–24, when he scored two goals in 26 league games.

Esselink is now at Dundee United, where in 2026–27 he has made 12 league appearances and three League Cup appearances. His career has been built around regular defensive work at Stal Mielec, with Dundee United the next step rather than the main body of the story so far.

📈 Key stats and insights

Bert Esselink has started 12 Premiership matches in 2026–27

Bert Esselink averages a 7.08 rating this season with a high of 8.24 and a low of 6.2

Bert Esselink joined Dundee United on a free transfer in July 2025

Bert Esselink's market value is €350k

Bert Esselink has three League Cup appearances this season

Last updated 8 November 2026. Send feedback

Bert Esselink stats

Check out all of the statistics about Bert Esselink.

Central Defender
Primary Position: Defender
Position

Bert Esselink

CD

1.91m (6ft 3in)
Height: 3
Squad Number: 78kg (12st 3lb)
Weight: 16 August 1999 (age 27)
Date of Birth: Arnhem
Birthplace: Netherlands 🇳🇱
Country of Birth: Dundee United
Team: £298,000 (via Transfermarkt)
Market Value

📊 Season stats

Team: Dundee United
Premiership 2026 - 2027
Games: 12
Starting: 12
Substitute: -
Unused: -
Utilisation: 100%
Goals: -
Yellows: 1
Reds: -

Team: Dundee United
League Cup 2026 - 2027
Games: 3
Starting: 3
Substitute: -
Unused: 2
Utilisation: 60%
Goals: -
Yellows: 1
Reds: -

In the 2026–27 Premiership Esselink has made 12 appearances (12 starts), scored 0 goals and received 1 yellow card; he has also made three League Cup appearances. The consistent starting pattern marks him as a first-choice central defender and a regular presence in Dundee United's defensive selection.

🔥 Recent form

Last 10 appearances for Bert Esselink.

Season average rating: 7.08

Match: Celtic 2-2 Dundee United
28 Oct 2026 (A)
Mins: 90
Goals: -
Rating: 6.2

Match: Dundee United 3-2 Aberdeen
24 Oct 2026 (H)
Mins: 90
Goals: -
Rating: 7.3

Match: St. Johnstone 1-1 Dundee United
17 Oct 2026 (A)
Mins: 90
Goals: -
Rating: 7.0

Match: Dundee United 1-0 Hibernian
10 Oct 2026 (H)
Mins: 90
Goals: -
Rating: 7.6

Match: St. Mirren 0-3 Dundee United
19 Sep 2026 (A)
Mins: 90
Goals: -
Rating: 7.3

Match: Dundee United 1-1 Falkirk
5 Sep 2026 (H)
Mins: 90
Goals: -
Rating: 6.5

Match: Motherwell 3-0 Dundee United
2 Sep 2026 (A)
Mins: 90
Goals: -
Rating: 6.9

Match: Kilmarnock 0-4 Dundee United
29 Aug 2026 (A)
Mins: 90
Goals: -
Rating: 8.2

Match: Dundee United 0-4 Celtic
15 Aug 2026 (H)
Mins: 90
Goals: -
Rating: -

Match: Dundee United 0-2 Dundee
22 Aug 2026 (H)
Mins: 90
Goals: -
Rating: 7.5

Esselink's season average rating is 7.08, with a high of 8.24 and a low of 6.2, a profile that points to generally reliable performances with occasional standout displays.

📋 Career stats

Team: Dundee United
Season 2026 - 2027
Country: Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
Games: 12
Goals: -

Team: Dundee United
Season 2025 - 2026
Country: Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
Games: 21
Goals: 1

Team: Stal Mielec
Season 2024 - 2025
Country: Poland 🇵🇱
Games: 28
Goals: -

Team: Stal Mielec
Season 2023 - 2024
Country: Poland 🇵🇱
Games: 26
Goals: 2

Bert Esselink is 27, plays as a central defender and carries a market value of €350k. His career moved through APOEL and Stal Mielec before joining Dundee United; he scored 2 goals in 2023–24 and 1 goal in 2025–26, indicating an occasional set-piece threat during those seasons.

💰 Transfers

Team: Dundee United
1 July 2025
From: Stal Mielec
Type: Free Transfer

Team: Stal Mielec
3 July 2023
From: APOEL
Type: Undisclosed

Esselink moved from Stal Mielec to Dundee United on a free transfer in July 2025, having joined Stal Mielec from APOEL for an undisclosed fee in July 2023. The July 2025 deal was a fee-free acquisition following an earlier undisclosed transfer.

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🔗 External links

Bert Esselink on Transfermarkt