Sven Adriaan Botman (born 12 January 2000) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays primarily as a centre-back for club Newcastle United. He has represented the Netherlands at youth levels under-15 through under-21.
Club career Ajax On 23 June 2018, Botman made his debut for the senior team of Ajax in a friendly against VVSB. He made his Eerste Divisie debut for Jong Ajax on 17 August 2018 in a game against Roda JC.
Lille
On 15 May 2020, he signed a deal with Ajax, which would keep him at the club until 30 June 2023. However, a few months later, on 31 July 2020, he signed a five-year deal with the French club Lille, who bought him from Ajax for almost 7 million euros.Botman to Lille, VoetbalPrimeur.nl, 31 July 2020 He made a good start,Good start for Botman at Lille VI, 19 October 2020 and was a starter for the entire 2020–21 season. Lille surprisingly won the Ligue 1 and, for the first time in the club's history, also the Trophée des Champions. This Super Cup was won in a 1–0 victory over Coupe de France winner Paris Saint-Germain.
Newcastle United On 28 June 2022, Botman signed for Premier League club Newcastle United on a five-year deal for €40 million. On 24 September 2023, Botman scored his first goal for Newcastle in a record 8–0 away win over Sheffield United. In March 2024, he sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury during an FA Cup match against Manchester City, which would sideline him for six to nine months. On 16 December, Botman made his return from his ACL injury in a Professional Development League Premier League 2 game vs the Chelsea Development Squad.
On 12 January 2026, Botman extended his contract with Newcastle United until the summer of 2030.
International career He has captained the Netherlands at under-21 level, as well as being called up to the senior Netherlands squad for the first time in November 2020. In October 2022, Botman was included in the preliminary squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Personal life Botman's girlfriend Chana Kesselaar is a fashion stylist from Amsterdam. The pair have been in a long-term relationship since 2016. They welcomed a daughter, Giulia, in September 2024.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupEuropeOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsJong Ajax2018–19Eerste Divisie282————282Heerenveen (loan)2019–20Eredivisie26240———302Lille2020–21Ligue 137020—80—4702021–22Ligue 125310—5010323Total62330—13010793Newcastle United2022–23Premier League3601070——4402023–24Premier League172301010—2222024–25Premier League800020——1002025–26Premier League251203081—382Total8636013091—1144Career total202101301302211025111
Honours Lille Ligue 1: 2020–21 Trophée des Champions: 2021
Newcastle United
EFL Cup: 2024–25; runner-up: 2022–23
References
External links
Profile at the Newcastle United website Profile at the Royal Dutch Football Association website (in Dutch)