Rick Kruys
Rick Kruijs, commonly known as Rick Kruys, (born 9 May 1985 in Utrecht) is a Dutch former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. His father, Gert Kruys, was a former professional football player as well, currently working as a manager in Dutch football. Club career. Utrecht. Kruys started his professional career in Utrecht in 2003. He played in Utrecht for five years and played over 100 league games. In 2008 Dutch media reported that Kruys would sign a -year contract with Malmö FF, and he eventually joined the team in July 2008. Malmö FF. Due to injury  problems Kruys would only play four games for his first season at the club. In 2009 Kruys played 13 games for the club in his best season this far at the club although still battling injuries. For the 2010 league winning season Kruys once again had much problems with injuries and played only four games. In early 2011 Malmö FF gave Kruys permission to look for a new club to restart his career. FC Volendam. Kruys was eventually loaned to FC Volendam until 1 June 2011. When the loan deal expired Kruys became a Malmö FF player once again, however  he is not training with the squad as Malmö FF is awaiting eventual bids from clubs in the Netherlands. On 19 July it was announced that Kruys would continue to play for Volendam on loan until the end of the season. Excelsior. Kruys signed a two year contract with Excelsior on 13 July 2012. International career. Kruys has represented the Dutch under-21 side for 16 games and scored one goal. Coaching career. During the 2013-14 season, Kruys was working as an individual coach for the academy of FC Utrecht alongside his playing career at SBV Excelsior. He then left  the position in 2014 and started working as a youth coach and assistant manager at VV De Meern, still playing for SBV Excelsior beside. Kruys left SBV Excelsior in 2016 and continued at VV De Meern, now also as player and he was later also hired as a youth coach at FC Utrecht again. Retiring from playing football at the end of 2017, Kruys became an assistant coach at FC Utrecht in January 2018, alongside his former coach Marinus Dijkhuizen and under head coach Jean-Paul de Jong. In May 2018, Kruys signed a new deal until the summer 2023  with Utrecht. After de Jong was fired in September 2018, Kruys and Dijkhuizen was appointed joint-caretaker managers. They were replaced later on the month and Kruys continued as an assistant manager. Honours. Utrecht