Daniël Krutzen

Daniël Nicolas Maria Johanes Krutzen (born 19 September 1996) is a Dutch former professional footballer who played as a defender.

Early life
Born in Brunssum, Netherlands, Krutzen was raised in Lanaken, Belgium. Krutzen began his youth career with K. Lanaken VV. In 2003, he joined the Genk youth academy. In 2014, he signed a professional contract with Genk. In 2016, he was released by Genk.

College career
In 2016, Krutzen moved to the United States to attend the University at Albany, SUNY, where he played for the men's soccer team. He scored his first collegiate goal on 17 September 2016, in a 1–0 victory over the Rhode Island Rams. In his second season in 2017, he led the America East Conference with seven assists, en route to being named an America East First Team All-Star, All-East First Team All-Star, All-America Third-Team, Scholar All-America First Team, Scholar All-East America East All-Academic. On 9 October 2018, he set a school record, recording four assists in a single game in a 6–2 victory over the American Eagles. In 2018, he was named to America East Fall Scholar-Athlete, SUNY Presidential Scholar-Athlete, USC Scholar All-America Second Team, Senior CLASS Second Team, USC Scholar All-East First Team, USC All-Northeast Second Team, and an America East All-Academic.

Early career
In 2017, he played for FC Tucson in the Premier Development League, scoring five goals in seven appearances.

In 2018, he played for Reading United AC in the Premier Development League, scoring two goals in nine appearances. After the season, he was ranked seventh on the PDL Top Prospects list.

Forge FC
In March 2019, he signed a professional contract with Forge FC in the Canadian Premier League. He made his debut on 4 May 2019 against HFX Wanderers FC. In his first season with the club in 2019, he helped them win the championship. The following season, he again won the league title while leading the league in both interceptions and defensive touches. On 4 November 2020, he scored a stoppage time winner against Panamanian club Tauro FC to send Forge through to the quarter-finals of the CONCACAF League.

In January 2021, he went on trial with Swedish clubs Örebro SK, followed by a trial with another Swedish club Helsingborgs IF. In February 2021, he signed a two-year extension with Forge. On 24 November 2021, he tore his ACL in a CONCACAF League match against Honduran club FC Motagua, which forced him to miss ten months of action. He returned to action near the end of the 2022 season, helping Forge win the 2022 CPL championship for the third time in four years. He departed the club following that season. Following Forge FC's 2022 season, Krutzen was reported to be training with Whitecaps FC 2. He was then subsequently invited to trial with the Vancouver Whitecaps first team for their 2023 pre-season. After appearing in a friendly for the Whitecaps against German club Hamburger SV, he departed the Whitecaps without earning a contract.

Phoenix Rising FC and retirement
In January 2023, Krutzen signed with USL Championship side Phoenix Rising FC. He won the league title in his debut season with the club.

Krutzen announced his retirement from professional football on 1 December 2023, citing persistent knee injuries as the main reason behind his choice.

Honours
Forge FC Phoenix Rising FC
 * Canadian Premier League: 2019, 2020, 2022
 * USL Championship: 2023