Wout François Maria Weghorst is a Dutch professional footballer born on 7 August 1992 in Borne, Overijssel, in the Netherlands.
He plays as a striker, known for his physical presence, aerial ability, hold-up play, and relentless work rate as a target man.
He currently represents Eredivisie club FC Twente and the Netherlands national team.
Coming from a well-off family that owns a network of petrol stations under the AVIA brand, Weghorst chose a football career against initial family preferences for him to pursue academics or the family business.
He is in a long-term relationship with Nikki van Esch, his partner since secondary school, and they have four daughters.
Siblings
Wout is the third son of parents Astrid and Frans Weghorst.
His siblings are Twan Weghorst (the eldest), Ralf Weghorst (the second-born and his immediate older brother), and Niek Weghorst (the youngest).
Twan became a pilot and has played amateur football; he has spoken publicly about the family’s support for Wout and personal challenges, including the loss of a young son.
Ralf works as an architect and has recalled Wout’s early obsession with football.
Niek has taken a role in the family business, AVIA Weghorst (involved in oil and gas retailing with over 130 stations in the Netherlands), serving in a management or commercial director capacity.
Career
Weghorst began playing at local clubs RKSV NEO and DETO Twenterand before a brief spell in the Willem II youth setup.
He turned professional with second-tier side Emmen in 2012, scoring regularly over two seasons.
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A move to Eredivisie club Heracles Almelo followed in 2014, where he contributed to the club’s historic European qualification.
He then joined AZ Alkmaar in 2016, continuing his goalscoring form and earning senior international recognition.
In 2018 he transferred to Bundesliga side VfL Wolfsburg, where he enjoyed his most prolific club period, netting around 70 goals in over 140 appearances across all competitions and helping the team secure European places.
In January 2022 he moved to Burnley in the Premier League.
After relegation he spent time on loan at Beşiktaş in Turkey, Manchester United (where he featured in cup competitions), and TSG Hoffenheim, before returning to the Netherlands with Ajax in mid-2024.
In 2026 he joined FC Twente. Internationally, he debuted for the Netherlands in 2018 after one under-21 appearance.
He has featured at UEFA Euro 2020, the 2022 FIFA World Cup (scoring two memorable goals as a substitute in the quarter-final against Argentina), UEFA Euro 2024, and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Accolades
Weghorst’s major team honour includes winning the EFL Cup (Carabao Cup) with Manchester United in the 2022/23 season during his loan spell.
He was the top scorer in the KNVB Cup during the 2017/18 season with nine goals for AZ. He has also recorded top-scorer recognition in certain play-off competitions earlier in his career.
At club level he has been instrumental in European qualifications with Heracles, AZ, and Wolfsburg, and he holds a strong goalscoring record in the Bundesliga relative to his time there.
For the Netherlands he has delivered key moments in major tournaments, most notably the two goals against Argentina at the 2022 World Cup that forced extra time.
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