Bert Esselink

Bert Esselink of Dundee United was born in Arnhem, Netherlands on 16 August 1999 (age 27).

Bert Esselink (born 16 August 1999, age 27) is a Dutch central defender with Dundee United, where he wears squad number 3. A tall, rangy defender at 6ft 3in (1.91m), he is valued at around £298,000 by Transfermarkt.

His career has been shaped chiefly by Stal Mielec. Across two seasons with the Polish club he made 54 league appearances and scored twice, with 2023-24 his most productive campaign: two goals in 26 league outings. For a player whose wider profile remains fairly plain, that spell gives the career its main substance.

Esselink is now at Dundee United. In 2026-27 he has made 10 league appearances and another three in the League Cup, taking him to 13 appearances for the club in all competitions.

📈 Key stats and insights

Bert Esselink has 10 Premiership starts in 2026 - 2027

Bert Esselink has 3 League Cup appearances this season

Bert Esselink averages a 7.15 season rating with a high of 8.24

Bert Esselink's market value is €350k

Bert Esselink joined Dundee United on a free transfer in July 2025

Last updated 25 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: 10
Starting: 10
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: -

In Premiership 2026 - 2027 Esselink has made 10 appearances, all starts, and added three League Cup appearances – those figures mark him out as a regular centre back for Dundee United this campaign and his single yellow card indicates a relatively restrained disciplinary profile.

🔥 Recent form

Last 10 appearances for Bert Esselink.

Season average rating: 7.17

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

Match: Hearts 4-0 Dundee United
9 Aug 2026 (A)
Mins: 90
Goals: -
Rating: 6.6

Esselink averages a 7.15 season rating with a high of 8.24 and a low of 6.47 – a profile that points to steady baseline performances with the capacity for standout displays across his appearances this season.

📋 Career stats

Team: Dundee United
Season 2026 - 2027
Country: Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
Games: 10
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

Bert Esselink is 27, Dutch and plays as a central defender for Dundee United. His career includes moves from APOEL to Stal Mielec in July 2023 and from Stal Mielec to Dundee United in July 2025, and he has established himself as a regular starter early in the 2026 - 2027 campaign.

💰 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 APOEL to Stal Mielec for an undisclosed fee in July 2023 and joined Dundee United on a free transfer in July 2025 – his market value is €350k, which frames the July 2025 arrival as a low-cost acquisition for the club.

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🔗 External links

Bert Esselink on Transfermarkt