Justine Vanhaevermaet: Belgium’s Tall Midfield Leader Balancing Football, Education and Motherhood
Justine Vanhaevermaet is a Belgian professional footballer known for her strength, intelligence and calm presence in midfield. She plays club football for Crystal Palace Women and represents the Belgium women’s national team, also known as the Belgian Red Flames.
Born on 29 April 1992 in Sint-Niklaas, Belgium, she stands at 1.85 metres, or 6 feet 1 inch. Her height gives her a strong advantage in aerial challenges, defensive situations and set pieces. She is right-footed and usually operates in central or defensive midfield.
At 34, she remains an important figure in Belgian women’s football. Her career has taken her through Belgium, Germany, Norway and England, while her studies have also prepared her for life beyond the pitch.
Justine Vanhaevermaet Early Life and Football Development
Justine Vanhaevermaet began her football journey with WB Sinaai Girls, a club connected with the Waasland-Beveren region. Her early years helped her develop the technical skills and competitive attitude needed for professional football.
She represented Belgium at under-17 and under-19 level before progressing to the senior national team. During her youth career, she gained valuable experience in European qualification matches and played an important role in Belgium’s developing women’s football system.
Her performances at youth level showed that she could compete physically while also contributing with passes, movement and goals. She later became captain of Belgium’s under-19 side, a sign of her leadership qualities at an early stage.
Justine Vanhaevermaet’s Club Career
Anderlecht and Lierse
In 2012, Justine Vanhaevermaet joined Anderlecht and began playing at a higher level of Belgian club football. She made 12 league appearances and scored twice during her first spell with the club. She moved to Lierse in 2013, where she enjoyed a productive period. Across two seasons, she made 48 league appearances and scored 10 goals. Her performances at Lierse helped establish her as one of Belgium’s reliable midfield players.
In 2016, she returned to Anderlecht. This second spell brought further progress, as she made 41 league appearances and scored 12 goals. During the 2017–18 season, she helped Anderlecht win the Belgian Women’s Super League.
Germany and Norway
In 2018, the midfielder moved abroad to join SC Sand in Germany’s Frauen-Bundesliga. Although her time there was short, the experience exposed her to a highly competitive European league. She then moved to Norway, joining Røa IL in 2019. She played 21 league matches and scored three goals. In 2020, she signed for LSK Kvinner, one of Norway’s leading women’s clubs. With LSK Kvinner, she experienced UEFA Women’s Champions League football. The team reached the round of 16 after defeating FC Minsk, although the Norwegian side later lost to VfL Wolfsburg.
Reading and Everton
In August 2021, Reading announced her signing on a two-year contract. She quickly became a dependable option in midfield and made 39 league appearances, scoring six goals during her time with the club.
Her next move came in July 2023, when Everton signed her. She spent two seasons with the Merseyside club and made 31 league appearances, scoring once. Her experience, height and ability to protect the defence made her a useful addition to Everton’s squad.
Although her LinkedIn page still shows Everton as a present employer, that record has not been updated. Everton confirmed her departure when her contract ended in 2025.
Crystal Palace Move
A New Chapter in England
On 13 August 2025, Crystal Palace Women announced the signing of the Belgian international on a two-year contract. The move gave her another opportunity to continue her career in England and bring her experience to a developing squad.
Justine Vanhaevermaet wears shirt number 18 for Palace and remains recognised as a midfielder. Her role includes helping the team maintain shape, winning possession and supporting attacks from deeper areas. Her time at Palace has also attracted attention because of her commitment to football during pregnancy. She has continued carefully adapted training, including individual work on the pitch and personalised gym sessions.
International Career with Belgium
Becoming a Red Flame
Justine Vanhaevermaet made her senior Belgium debut in 2013. It took time for her to become a regular starter, but her consistency eventually earned her a more important role in the team. She became a regular during Belgium’s qualification campaign for UEFA Women’s Euro 2022. She played in all eight qualifying matches and scored her first senior international goal in a victory over Romania in September 2020.
At Euro 2022, she started all four of Belgium’s matches. She scored from the penalty spot against Iceland in the group stage, helping Belgium secure a draw. The Red Flames reached the quarter-finals, where they lost narrowly to Sweden.
Justine Vanhaevermaet also played a major role during Belgium’s qualification campaign for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The team reached the play-offs but were defeated by Portugal in the first round.
Euro 2025
Belgium qualified for Euro 2025 after overcoming Ukraine in the play-offs. Vanhaevermaet started both legs of the final and helped the team secure its place in the tournament. She was included in Belgium’s squad for the finals in Switzerland. During the competition, she scored against Spain and continued to provide experience in the centre of midfield. The Belgian Football Association records her as one of the country’s established senior internationals. Her long service with the Red Flames has made her an important presence for younger players entering the national set-up.
Playing Style and Strengths
A Powerful Central Midfielder
At 6 feet 1 inch, Vanhaevermaet brings physical strength to the middle of the pitch. She is effective when challenging for high balls and can use her body well when shielding possession from opponents. Her game is not based only on physical ability. She reads play carefully, makes sensible passes and understands when to slow the game down. Her positioning allows her to support defenders while also helping the team move forward.
Justine Vanhaevermaet can contribute at both ends of the pitch. Her record includes important goals for clubs and country, particularly from midfield and set-piece situations.
Leadership and Experience
Her leadership is another important quality. Captaining Belgium’s under-19 team helped develop her ability to organise teammates and take responsibility during difficult moments. Years spent in Belgium, Germany, Norway and England have also given her a broad understanding of different football styles. This experience helps her adjust to new managers, tactical systems and demanding competitions.
Justine Vanhaevermaet Education and Career Beyond Football
Justine Vanhaevermaet has invested in her education alongside professional football. She completed a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy at Ghent University in 2016. In 2024, she completed a postgraduate degree in Sports Management at Vrije Universiteit Brussel. These qualifications reflect her interest in health, performance and the wider organisation of sport.
Her academic background is especially relevant to her career. A foundation in physiotherapy gives her insight into injury prevention, recovery and physical preparation, while sports management may support future work in leadership or football administration.
Justine Vanhaevermaet Personal Life and Motherhood
Justine Vanhaevermaet has shared parts of her personal life through her verified social-media accounts. She and her partner, Thomas De Jonghe, announced that they were expecting their first child.
Justine Vanhaevermaet later confirmed that they were expecting a baby girl. During pregnancy, she spoke positively about adapting her training and listening to her body.
Her approach has attracted support from football fans and fellow athletes. She has shown that pregnancy can be managed with care, professional guidance and respect for personal health, although every athlete’s circumstances are different.
Legacy in Belgian Football
Justine Vanhaevermaet’s career is built on steady progress, resilience and versatility. From her early days in Sint-Niklaas to major tournaments with Belgium, she has earned recognition through hard work rather than short-term success.
Her club journey across several countries has strengthened her as a player and broadened her experience. Her education, international service and leadership qualities have also given her a strong foundation for the future.
As she continues with Crystal Palace and prepares for motherhood, her story remains an inspiring example of ambition, professionalism and balance. She represents a generation of Belgian players helping the Red Flames grow on the international stage.
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