Zoetebier was born in Purmerend, North Holland. He started his professional career in the 1988–89 season playing for FC Volendam. He later served Sunderland, Feyenoord, Vitesse Arnhem, PSV Eindhoven and NAC Breda. Zoetebier signed for Sunderland in the summer of 1997 as back up to Lionel Pérez. However, he left in January 1998 having made just two appearances for the club (both in the League Cup). His career highlight was being the starting goalkeeper for Feyenoord in the 2002 UEFA Cup Final against Borussia Dortmund as the Dutch club won 3–2. He also played in the 2002 UEFA Super Cup against Real Madrid which saw the Spanish side prevail 2–1. He was also an unplayed member of the Feyenoord side which won the Eredivisie in 1998–99 and the Dutch Super Cup in 1999 as Jerzy Dudek was the team's first-choice goalkeeper.