Why Robin Roefs Is England's New Premier League Sensation
5 January 2026
From NEC to Premier League: A Skyline Rise
Robin Roefs, 22, is in his second season as Sunderland's starting goalkeeper and already ranks among the Premier League's top shot-stoppers. The Dutch keeper is tipped to guard the Netherlands in World Cup qualifiers, a reward many predicted for a player who has grown into a steady presence for Sunderland.
When Roefs walks into the City Ground locker room—the home of Nottingham Forest—the room quiets, then erupts in applause for the new stopper who quickly became essential to Sunderland's early-season surge.
He has repeatedly shown his value with crucial saves and composed ball work, earning him a rising reputation across England as a reliable last line of defense.
In a standout clash against Manchester City, Roefs went head-to-head with Gianluigi Donnarumma in one of the season's defining goalkeeping duels. The match turned into a showcase of reflexes, with both sides producing a flurry of saves and ending goalless.
After the game, Roefs drew praise from pundits: Troy Deeney called him the best signing of the season, while Jamie Carragher included the Dutchman in his top XI for the first half of the campaign. The verdict from observers, including former players, underscored his rapid rise.
The 1.93-meter-tall keeper has delivered standout numbers: a save percentage near 79%, around 67 saves in total, averaging roughly 3.5 saves per game, and seven clean sheets so far. He has helped suppress expected goals, with about 3.71 goals prevented, and even reduced the one penalty faced to a successful stop.
Roefs’s path began at NEC Nijmegen in 2023/24, where he learned behind veteran Dutch international Jasper Cillessen. He has repeatedly cited the influence of Cillessen, describing how the older keeper’s approach to the highest levels served as a blueprint for his own growth.
When Cillessen left for Las Palmas after one season, Roefs seized the opportunity. In his first year as a full-time starter at 21, he made a strong impression, though he admits not every moment met his own standards. In a mid-season interview, he said that if a good opportunity arose, he would be ready, yet did not expect it to come that summer. Then Sunderland arrived, and negotiations progressed rapidly. According to his account in a recent podcast, the deal moved from an initial figure to a final offer of around 10.5 million euros plus bonuses, all within a remarkably quick process.
Roefs’s breakout coincided with his selection for the Netherlands U21 squad, where he stood out among his peers and earned the respect of the Oranje camp. He delivered important performances against Portugal U21 and left a mark in the semi-final against England, helping to elevate his status ahead of senior call-ups.
Roefs later reflected on how his career progressed: his early days at NEC, the chance to train with a rising group of Dutch talents, and the opportunity to compete at the highest level soon after. He remains focused on cementing a place with Sunderland, while also keeping an eye on the Netherlands’ World Cup plans. He told Voetbalzone that he is grateful for the growing confidence around him and is ready to take the next steps when the chance arrives.
Four years ago, the goalkeeper watched the World Cup from a friend’s couch. Today, he dares to dream bigger, hoping to travel with the Dutch team to America next summer and maybe play there one day—step by step, with patient ambition.
In summary, Roefs’s journey—rising from a backup in Nijmegen to a potential World Cup contender—is a reminder that football can still surprise with rapid, decisive turns. He stands as a symbol of Sunderland’s faith in youth and a promising chapter in Dutch goalkeeping history.
Two punchlines to close: first, Roefs's saves are so timely that even the calendar signs a reminder to respect the offside rule; second, at 1.93 meters, he makes the ball think twice before testing the back of the net—because it’s Roefs time in the goal, not just another shot at glory.
