Dion Cools

Dion Johan Cools (born 4 June 1996) is a professional footballer who plays as a right back for Danish Superliga club Midtjylland and the Malaysia national team.

Cools won 28 caps for Belgium at youth level. In 2021, he was called up to represent Malaysia.

Club Career

Early years

Cools started his career with Tempo Overijse, but soon moved to OH Leuven as a 9-years-old. In 2010, he joined the Anderlecht youth team. After a season, he returned to the OH Leuven youth academy in 2013. He signed his first professional contract with the club in July 2014 after he finished his studies.

OH Leuven

On 3 August 2014, Cools made his debut in the first team of OH Leuven, competing in the Belgian Second Division under coach Ivan Leko. There, he was in the starting lineup for the away match against Racing Mechelen. Afterwards he grew into a regular starter. Even after the dismissal of Leko and the arrival of new head coach Jacky Mathijssen in December 2014, Cools remained a starter. In May 2015, he participated with OH Leuven in the final round for promotion. Cools did not miss a single minute of the final round and won promotion to the Belgian First Division A again with the club.

Club Brugge

On 23 June 2015, Cools signed a four-year contract with Club Brugge. He won two Belgian national titles and twice the Belgian Super Cup. Cools became a starter under head coach Michel Preud'homme in the 2016–17 season due to poor performances by former Dutch international Ricardo van Rhijn, who had initially become the starter after the departure of regular right-back Thomas Meunier to Paris-Saint Germain. Cools also remained a starter under new coach Ivan Leko, with whom he was reunited after his time with OH Leuven. Cools would, however, later become benched after the emergence of Clinton Mata at the position.

Midtjylland

On 31 January 2020, Cools signed a three-year contract with Midtjylland in the Da

This page also has a version in other languages :  Дион Колс (russian)