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, where he wears the number three shirt. At 6ft 3in (1.91m), he is a tall centre-half, which at least keeps the job description fairly clear.

His career to this point is shaped above all by Stal Mielec. Across two seasons in Poland, Esselink made 54 league appearances and scored twice. Both goals came in 2023-24, when he played 26 league matches, his most productive campaign in front of goal.

He is now part of the Dundee United squad. In 2026-27, he has made 11 league appearances and another three in the League Cup, giving him 14 appearances in all competitions for the club.

His market value is around £298,000, according to Transfermarkt. Esselink’s senior record remains led by his Stal Mielec spell, with Dundee United the next stage of a steady professional career.

📈 Key stats and insights

Bert Esselink has made 11 Premiership starts this season for Dundee United

Bert Esselink has three League Cup appearances this season

Bert Esselink averages a 7.1 rating with a season high of 8.24 and low of 6.36

Bert Esselink moved to Dundee United on a free transfer in July 2025 and carries a €350k market value

Last updated 29 October 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: 11
Starting: 11
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: -

Esselink has made 11 starts in the Premiership this season and has 0 goals, plus three League Cup appearances – his consistent selection and starting rate underline his role as a first-choice central defender for Dundee United, with one yellow card recorded across those outings.

🔥 Recent form

Last 10 appearances for Bert Esselink.

Season average rating: 7.10

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 averages a 7.1 rating this season with a high of 8.24 and a low of 6.36 – that range points to steady baseline performances with occasional standout displays.

📋 Career stats

Team: Dundee United
Season 2026 - 2027
Country: Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
Games: 11
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

Esselink is 27, is Dutch and plays as a central defender; his senior career has included spells at APOEL and Stal Mielec before joining Dundee United, a trajectory that has taken him across Cyprus, Poland and into the Scottish Premiership.

💰 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 in July 2025 on a free transfer and previously moved from APOEL to Stal Mielec in July 2023 for an undisclosed fee – the July 2025 move took him into the Scottish Premiership and his market value is €350k.

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🔗 External links

Bert Esselink on Transfermarkt