Sai van Wermeskerken

Sai van Wermeskerken (ファン ウェルメスケルケン 際) is a professional footballer who plays as a right-back for Kawasaki Frontale. Born in the Netherlands, he is a former youth international for Japan.

Early career
Van Wermeskerken was born in Maastricht, Netherlands, to a Dutch father and a Japanese mother. When Sai was only 2-years old, his family moved to Japan after his father had got a job there. The van Wermeskerken family settled down in Yamanashi Prefecture. Van Wermeskerken started his career at Yatsugatake Hokuto at age eight, before joining Ventforet Kofu youth academy in 2008.

Dordrecht
After several years in the Kofu youth system, van Wermeskerken was rewarded with a contract by Dordrecht in July 2013. He made his first appearance for Dordrecht on 10 May 2015, in the Eredivisie match against Twente.

SC Cambuur
On 21 August 2017, van Wermeskerken signed for SC Cambuur.

PEC Zwolle
On 9 July 2019, van Wermeskerken signed a two-year deal for Eredivisie side PEC Zwolle on a free transfer.

Return to Cambuur
On 10 August 2022, van Wermeskerken returned to Cambuur for one season.

NEC Nijmegen
On 27 October 2023, van Wermeskerken joined Eredivisie side NEC Nijmegen, signing a contract until the end of the 2023–24 season.

Kawasaki Frontale
On 21 January 2024, NEC announced van Wermeskerken's transfer to Japanese club Kawasaki Frontale.

International career
On 14 March 2016, Sai received his first call-up to the Japan national under-23 football team for the friendly match against Mexico.

Club
Kawasaki Frontale
 * Japanese Super Cup: 2024