Ryan Leijten

Dutch footballer (born 2003)

Ryan Leijten
Personal information
Full name	Ryan Yang Leijten
Date of birth	(2003-09-18) 18 September 2003 (age 20)
Place of birth	's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands
Height	1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Roda JC
Number	20
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2021–2024	Den Bosch	84	(7)
2024–	Roda JC	2	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 11:37, 25 August 2024 (UTC)

Ryan Yang Leijten (Chinese: 杨瑞安; born 18 September 2003) is a Dutch footballer who plays as a midfielder for Eerste Divisie club Roda JC.

Early life

Leitjen was born in 2003 in 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands, to a Dutch father and Chinese mother.^[1]

Club career

On 9 August 2024, Leijten signed a three-year contract with Roda JC.^[2] He made his debut for the club on 12 August, coming on for Joshua Schwirten in the 63rd minute of the season's opening fixture against Jong AZ, which ended in a heavy 6–1 defeat.^[3]^[4]

Style of play

Leitjen mainly operated as a midfielder and has been compared to Germany international Kai Havertz.^[5]

Personal life

Leitjen can speak Chinese and Dutch.^[6]

References

^ "'Ik dacht: ik ga mijn best doen, want als Napoli me hier al kan zien...'". voetbalzone.nl.
^ "Ryan Leijten dwingt contract af bij Roda JC" (in Dutch). Roda JC. 9 August 2024. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
^ "Versterkt Jong AZ boekt recordzege in KKD tegen armlastig Roda JC". Voetbal International (in Dutch). 12 August 2024. Archived from the original on 16 August 2024. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
^ Kleinen, Jelle (12 August 2024). "Afgang voor Roda JC in openingsronde: 6-1 nederlaag tegen Jong AZ". L1 Nieuws (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 14 August 2024. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
^ "Ryan Leijten: a new Kai Havertz?". ttplus.cn.
^ "Ryan Yang Leijten swingt in de Vliert en op de piano". bd.nl.