Jeremain Marciano Lens (born 24 November 1987) is a Dutch professional footballer who primarily plays as a winger or forward. Known for his pace, dribbling, and ability to play on either flank, he has had a career spanning several top European leagues, including the Eredivisie, Ukrainian Premier League, Premier League, and Süper Lig.
Early Life and Career
Born in Amsterdam, Lens began his youth career at local clubs, including SV Bijlmer and HFC Haarlem, before joining the AZ Alkmaar youth academy.
Club Career
AZ Alkmaar
Lens made his senior debut for AZ Alkmaar in 2005. He spent a season on loan at NEC Nijmegen during the 2007–08 season to gain first-team experience. Upon his return to AZ, he became an integral part of the squad that famously won the Eredivisie title in the 2008–09 season under manager Louis van Gaal, contributing with important goals and assists.
PSV Eindhoven
In 2010, Lens moved to PSV Eindhoven, one of the Netherlands' top clubs. During his three seasons at PSV, he established himself as a prolific attacker, consistently scoring and assisting. He helped PSV win the KNVB Cup in the 2011–12 season and regularly featured in European competitions.
Dynamo Kyiv
In June 2013, Lens signed with Ukrainian giants Dynamo Kyiv. He quickly adapted to the Ukrainian Premier League, becoming a key player for the club. With Dynamo, he won the Ukrainian Premier League in the 2014–15 season and the Ukrainian Cup in both 2014 and 2015. His performances in Ukraine attracted interest from clubs in stronger European leagues.
Sunderland
In July 2015, Lens made a move to the English Premier League, joining Sunderland for an undisclosed fee, reuniting with his former PSV coach Dick Advocaat. He scored on his home debut against Norwich City. Despite showing flashes of brilliance, his time at Sunderland was marked by inconsistency and injuries, and the club struggled, eventually being relegated from the Premier League at the end of the 2016–17 season, though Lens spent the latter part of that season on loan.
Fenerbahçe (loan)
For the 2016–17 season, Lens was loaned to Turkish Süper Lig club Fenerbahçe. He enjoyed a highly successful spell in Turkey, showcasing his creative abilities and scoring important goals. He quickly became a fan favorite, contributing significantly to Fenerbahçe's campaign with numerous assists and crucial goals.
Beşiktaş
Following his successful loan spell at Fenerbahçe, Lens joined their city rivals Beşiktaş in August 2017, initially on loan with an obligation to buy. He signed a permanent deal with Beşiktaş later that year. He continued to be a regular presence in the Süper Lig and featured in the UEFA Champions League. He won the Süper Lig title with Beşiktaş in the 2020–21 season.
Later Career
After his stint with Beşiktaş, Lens moved to Fatih Karagümrük in the Turkish Süper Lig for the 2021–22 season. He later joined FC Versailles in the French third tier (Championnat National) in January 2023.
International Career
Jeremain Lens made his debut for the Netherlands national team in 2010. He was part of the squad that qualified for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, though he was not included in the final tournament squad. He earned a total of 34 caps for the Oranje, scoring 8 goals.
Playing Style
Lens is primarily known for his explosive pace, strong dribbling skills, and ability to take on defenders. He can play on either wing, cutting inside or providing width, and also has the versatility to play as a central striker or an attacking midfielder. His strong shot and ability to deliver crosses have been key aspects of his game throughout his career.
Honours
Club
- AZ Alkmaar
- Eredivisie: 2008–09
- Johan Cruyff Shield: 2009
- PSV Eindhoven
- KNVB Cup: 2011–12
- Johan Cruyff Shield: 2012
- Dynamo Kyiv
- Ukrainian Premier League: 2014–15
- Ukrainian Cup: 2013–14, 2014–15
- Beşiktaş
- Süper Lig: 2020–21
Individual
- Eredivisie Team of the Year: 2012–13