Maruschka Waldus
Maruschka Waldus | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 20, 1992 Heerenveen, Netherlands |
| Occupation | Soccer player (former) |
| Years active | 2009–2025 |
| Known for | First Dutch player in NWSL; professional career across multiple countries |
Maruschka Waldus (born 20 September 1992) is a former Dutch soccer athlete.
She made her first appearance in the NWSL in May 2015, becoming the league's inaugural Dutch participant. In 2017, alongside Marlous Pieëte, Waldus was also among the pioneer Dutch players competing in Australia's W-League.
Career
Waldus was selected twice for the KNVB Talent Team (in 2009 and 2010) based in Amsterdam, and she pursued her studies at the Johan Cruyff Academy in the Netherlands.
Beginning in 2011, she spent three seasons with SC Heerenveen, initially playing in the Eredivisie before transitioning to the BeNe League. Throughout three consecutive seasons, she earned a place on the starting lineup and captained the squad during her final two years. Over this period, she netted nine goals, six of which came in 2013.
In August 2014, Waldus joined the Alabama Crimson Tide at the University of Alabama, where she quickly established herself as a key defensive player. Midway through the season, she shifted to a defensive midfield role, starting every one of the 20 matches and scoring three goals.
In 2015, Waldus earned a roster spot with Sky Blue FC before transferring mid-season to Swedish top-flight club Mallbackens IF competing in the Damallsvenskan. In January 2016, she signed with German outfit Turbine Potsdam for the second half of the 2015–2016 campaign. Subsequently, she returned to her home country to play for reigning Dutch champions FC Twente. During her time there, Waldus participated in the UEFA Women's Champions League, helping FC Twente overcome Sparta Praha before being eliminated by Barcelona. That season concluded with FC Twente finishing as runners-up.
By July 2017, Waldus had moved to Icelandic side Fylkir, competing in the Úrvalsdeild under head coach Hermann Hreiðarsson. Shortly after, in September 2017, she joined Australia's Western Sydney Wanderers, alongside fellow Dutch player Marlous Pieëte, participating in the W-League until February 2018.
In March 2018, Waldus signed with Norwegian club Avaldsnes Idrettslag competing in the Toppserien. She captained Avaldsnes during their UEFA Women's Champions League matches against defending champions Olympique Lyonnais Féminin. Avaldsnes concluded that league season in ninth place. Following this stint, she returned to Western Sydney Wanderers for the 2018–19 W-League campaign, a league noted for attracting international players primarily from the US and Scandinavia.
In March 2019, known by nicknames such as "The Flying Dutchman" and "The Happy Soccer Nomad," Waldus inked a two-year contract with Norwegian top-tier club Vålerenga IF, where she reunited with fellow Frisian Dutch international Sherida Spitse. The year 2019 saw Vålerenga finish second in the Toppserien and reach the final of the Norwegian Women's Cup. Waldus earned selection to the Toppserien Team of the Year alongside Spitse and Ajara Nchout.
The following season in 2020 marked Vålerenga's most successful campaign to date as they secured both the Toppserien championship and Norwegian Women's Cup titles.
In January 2021, Waldus joined Australian side Adelaide United, playing a significant role in achieving their highest-ever fifth-place finish. Her performances earned her Adelaide United's Player of the Year award as well as the Alagich Vidmar accolade.
After completing that Australian season, Waldus signed a two-year contract with Dutch club PSV in May 2021. However, Adelaide United reacquired her services by buying out her contract in August 2022. She extended her commitment to Adelaide United for an additional two years in September 2023 but departed from the club in May 2024 despite having an active contract for the upcoming season.
In August 2024, Waldus agreed to a one-year deal with Dutch team Feyenoord. She announced her retirement from professional football in May 2025.
External links
- : Appearances, playing time, cautions, and goal statistics.
- Maruschka Waldus Profile at University of Alabama – www.rolltide.com
- Maruschka Waldus – FC Twente and Avaldsnes, UEFA Champions League seasons 2016–2018
- 79th Minute – Decisive Goal by Maruschka Waldus FC Twente Vrouwen versus Sparta Prague, October 5, 2016
- TV Oost Interview with Mary Kok Willemse October 5, 2016
- Defensive Highlights Maruschka Waldus at FC Twente, 2016–2017 season
- Midfield Defensive Highlights Maruschka Waldus with Alabama Crimson Tide, 2014
- READY FOR MADDY Interview October 13, 2021 #6: Global Athlete MARUSCHKA WALDUS 🇳🇱
- Pages with script errors
- Articles with short description
- Articles with hCards
- No local image but image on Wikidata
- 1992 births
- Living people
- Dutch women's footballers
- Eredivisie (women) players
- National Women's Soccer League players
- Gotham FC players
- Women's association football defenders
- Damallsvenskan players
- Mallbackens IF players
- Dutch expatriate sportspeople in Sweden
- Expatriate women's footballers in Sweden
- Alabama Crimson Tide women's soccer players
- SC Heerenveen (women) players
- Expatriate women's soccer players in the United States
- Dutch expatriate sportspeople in the United States
- Footballers from Heerenveen
- 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam players
- Frauen-Bundesliga players
- Dutch expatriate sportspeople in Germany
- Expatriate women's footballers in Germany
- FC Twente (women) players
- Western Sydney Wanderers FC (women) players
- Adelaide United FC (women) players
- PSV (women) players
- Vålerenga Fotball Damer players
- Toppserien players
- Dutch expatriate sportspeople in Australia
- Dutch expatriate women's footballers
- Dutch expatriate sportspeople in Iceland
- Dutch expatriate sportspeople in Norway
- Expatriate women's footballers in Iceland
- Expatriate women's footballers in Norway
- Expatriate women's soccer players in Australia
- 21st-century Dutch sportswomen