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Robin Roefs’ journey feels like something straight out of a fairy tale. The 22-year-old goalkeeper, now in just his second season as a first-choice player, has already cemented his place among the top goalkeepers in the Premier League. For the Netherlands’ national side, a starting role at the upcoming World Cup might not be beyond reach for this latest inclusion in GOAL’s Hidden Gems series.

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'Signing of the season'

When Roefs headed towards the visitors’ dressing room at the City Ground, home of Nottingham Forest, Sunderland’s players and staff broke into cheers and applause. Their new goalkeeper had quickly become the backbone of the newly-promoted team’s early Premier League success. His outstanding save had just secured another crucial victory — and it was far from the first time he'd saved the day this season.

Since his arrival in English football, Roefs has impressed fans and pundits alike with his composure, ball-handling skills, and, most importantly, his shot-stopping ability. In Sunderland’s recent draw against Manchester City, he once again showcased his class, turning the match into a head-to-head duel with Gianluigi Donnarumma — two of the league’s standout goalkeepers this season.

After the game, former Watford striker Troy Deeney hailed Roefs as the “best signing of the season” on BBC analysis, while Jamie Carragher named the Dutchman in his Premier League XI for the first half of the campaign.

“I’m very impressed with him. He’s had a fantastic start to life in the Premier League at Sunderland, which boasts one of the strongest defences in the league — and he’s been integral to that,” former Liverpool defender Carragher told Sky Sports. One Sunderland supporter summed up the sentiment perfectly on X: “I’d throw my dog off a bridge if I knew Roefs was below to catch him.”

Whichever way you look at it, Roefs is leaving a lasting mark on Wearside.

Superb stats

Standing tall at 6'4”, Roefs currently boasts the best save percentage in the Premier League (79%). He has also caught the most crosses (30), made 67 saves — averaging 3.5 per match — and recorded seven clean sheets.

He has prevented 3.71 expected goals and saved the only penalty he has faced. Considering this is only his second full season as a regular starter, his consistency is remarkable.

Biding his time

During the 2023–24 season, Roefs was recognised as a rising talent at NEC Nijmegen, but found himself as backup to veteran Dutch international Jasper Cillessen.

“I got to test myself against Jasper every day,” he told Voetbal International. “He knows exactly what it takes at the highest level. Jasper was a role model for me. If my career turns out like his, I’d gladly take it.

“He made difficult things look easy. Jasper helped me a lot, both on and off the pitch. I could always go to him for advice, and he was very open. Even while I was behind him, I felt I was getting closer to that starting position.”

When Cillessen moved to Las Palmas the following season, Roefs seized his chance. In his debut campaign, the then-21-year-old impressed many, though the self-critical goalkeeper had a different view.

“Am I satisfied with this season? Honestly, no,” he admitted. “There were too many moments when I didn’t look good. That shouldn’t happen — maybe once a season, but not three times.”

On the move

“If the right opportunity comes up, I’ll consider it,” Roefs said in February 2025 when asked about a potential move. “But I’m not expecting anything this summer.”

He couldn’t have been more wrong. Sunderland’s approach to NEC caught general manager Wilco van Schaik completely by surprise.

“That was the fastest transfer I’ve ever seen,” van Schaik revealed on the De Grote Bestuurskamer podcast. “It was unbelievable. Carlos Aalbers (our technical director) came in with a piece of paper and said, ‘Look at this: €9.5 million from Sunderland.’ I immediately said, ‘Take it! Where do I sign?’

“Carlos wanted to keep negotiating, but I told him he was crazy. Still, talks continued, and within 20 minutes the offer had risen to €10.5 million plus three bonuses of €1 million each. The entire process took no more than 20 minutes.”

'Next Van der Sar'?

Roefs owes much of his transfer to his performances at the Under-21 European Championship in the summer of 2025. He shone in the match against Portugal, keeping the 10-man Dutch side in the game, and was again outstanding in the semi-final against eventual champions England.

“Am I going too far if I call you Edwin van der Sar?” a Ziggo Sport reporter asked him during the tournament. “That’s quite a compliment,” Roefs replied with a smile. It’s little wonder Sunderland scouts took notice that summer.

Ironically, Roefs was not expected to start the tournament but stepped in after Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro’s injury — a twist of fate that may have defined his career trajectory.

World Cup-bound?

For Sunderland, signing Roefs has turned out to be a masterstroke. He fought his way into the starting eleven during pre-season, and manager Regis Le Bris has no plans to replace him as the Black Cats push for European qualification.

The biggest honour came at the end of August when Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman called him up for the World Cup qualifiers against Poland and Lithuania. Roefs has yet to make his senior debut, but a starting berth at next summer’s World Cup is now a realistic possibility — even if he remains humble about it.

“Bart Verbruggen is doing really well,” Roefs told Voetbalzone in November. “So there’s no reason to change anything. Mark Flekken is also an excellent goalkeeper. I just have to keep working hard and be ready when my chance comes.”

Four years ago, as NEC’s third-choice keeper, Roefs watched the World Cup in Qatar from a friend’s sofa. Now he could not only travel to North America with the national squad but even feature on the pitch.

“Back then, no one knew who I was. And now look where I am. Football changes fast. Just being there would be amazing at my age. Of course, you dream of playing, but there’s no rush — one step at a time.”