Lan Maatsen: Ian Maatsen’s Aston Villa Rise, Dortmund Breakthrough and Netherlands Dream

The search term Lan Maatsen usually refers to Ian Maatsen, the fast Dutch left-back who plays for Aston Villa. His correct first name begins with a capital “I,” not a lowercase “L.” Maatsen developed at several Dutch academies before joining Chelsea, winning promotion with Burnley and reaching the Champions League final with Borussia Dortmund. He later moved permanently to Aston Villa and scored on his senior Netherlands debut.

Quick Bio of Ian Maatsen

Maatsen’s date of birth, position, preferred foot and Aston Villa status are listed in current player records. His contract is widely recorded as running until June 2030.

Is His Name Lan Maatsen or Ian Maatsen?

The correct name is Ian Maatsen.

The first letter is a capital “I.” In some fonts, a capital “I” can look like a lowercase “l,” which may explain why people search for “Lan Maatsen.”

His complete name is Ian Ethan Maatsen.

Official club records, Premier League pages and football databases all use Ian Maatsen. There is no well-known Aston Villa footballer officially named Lan Maatsen.

Who Is Ian Maatsen?

Ian Maatsen is a Dutch professional footballer known for his speed, movement and attacking ability from the left side.

He mainly plays at left-back. However, he is not a defender who stays close to his own penalty area for the whole match.

Maatsen likes to move forward, combine with midfielders and enter attacking spaces. He can play as a normal full-back, an attacking wing-back or a winger when his team needs a more aggressive option.

His main strengths include:

• Quick acceleration
• Close ball control
• Forward passing
• Attacking runs
• Movement into midfield
• Pressing opponents
• Crossing
• Shooting from advanced positions
• Playing in several left-sided roles

His flexibility helped him succeed under different coaches in England and Germany. The Premier League’s analysis of his game highlighted his ability to step into midfield and support attacks rather than remaining in a traditional defensive position.

How Old Is Ian Maatsen?

Maatsen was born on March 10, 2002.

He turned 24 years old on March 10, 2026.

He had already played in the Premier League, Bundesliga, Championship and Champions League before reaching his 23rd birthday.

His age remains important to Aston Villa.

He already has experience from several major competitions, but he is still young enough to improve his defensive timing, physical strength and final pass.

Where Was Ian Maatsen Born?

Maatsen was born in Vlaardingen, a city in the western Netherlands near Rotterdam.

He began his football education in the Netherlands and spent time with several respected academies.

His youth clubs included:

• Feyenoord
• Sparta Rotterdam
• PSV Eindhoven
• Chelsea

Chelsea recruited him from PSV in 2018. He was still a teenager when he moved from the Netherlands to England.

That move required him to leave home, learn a new football culture and compete with talented young players from many countries.

Was Ian Maatsen Rejected for Being Too Small?

Several profiles report that Feyenoord released Maatsen when he was young because the club had concerns about his size.

He did not allow that early disappointment to end his career.

Maatsen continued developing at Sparta Rotterdam and PSV before attracting Chelsea’s attention. His progress later proved that height does not decide whether a player can succeed at the highest level.

At around 1.78 metres, Maatsen is not unusually tall for a defender.

He uses speed, balance and smart positioning rather than depending mainly on physical size.

When Did Maatsen Join Chelsea?

Chelsea signed Maatsen from PSV in 2018.

He entered the club’s academy and progressed quickly enough to make his first-team debut the following year.

Maatsen made his senior Chelsea debut in September 2019 during a 7–1 League Cup victory over Grimsby Town. He came on as a substitute while still only 17.

A first-team debut did not immediately lead to regular Premier League football.

Chelsea had experienced international players in its squad, so Maatsen needed senior minutes elsewhere.

The club used loan moves to support his development.

What Happened During His Charlton Loan?

Maatsen joined Charlton Athletic on loan for the 2020/21 season.

The move gave him regular experience in League One, the third level of English football.

He made 34 league appearances and scored his first senior goal during the loan.

League One introduced him to physical matches, difficult pitches and experienced opponents.

Those challenges were very different from academy football.

Maatsen needed to defend against direct attacks while also supporting Charlton’s forwards. The experience helped him become more comfortable with the demands of senior football.

How Did Maatsen Perform at Coventry City?

His next loan took him to Coventry City for the 2021/22 Championship season.

Maatsen played regularly and appeared in 40 league matches, scoring three goals.

Coventry often used wing-backs, which suited his attacking qualities.

The system allowed him to move high up the pitch while another defender protected the space behind him.

This role showed that Maatsen could influence games in both halves of the field.

He was no longer only a young defender gaining experience. He had become a regular Championship player capable of helping a team build attacks.

Why Was His Burnley Season So Important?

Maatsen joined Burnley for the 2022/23 season and enjoyed one of the biggest early successes of his career.

Burnley won the Championship title under Vincent Kompany and earned promotion to the Premier League.

Maatsen played 39 league matches and scored four goals. He also received individual recognition after becoming one of the division’s most effective attacking defenders.

Burnley’s style suited him.

The team kept the ball, built attacks from defence and encouraged its full-backs to move forward.

Maatsen could receive possession in wide areas, move inside and join attacks near the penalty box.

His form earned him a place in the Championship Team of the Season and the PFA Championship Team of the Year. He was also named the division’s Player of the Month for January 2023.

Why Did Maatsen Not Stay at Burnley?

Burnley wanted to keep Maatsen after promotion, but a permanent move did not happen.

He returned to Chelsea and became part of the first-team squad for the beginning of the 2023/24 season.

Maatsen made 15 appearances for Chelsea across all competitions during the first half of that campaign. Many of those appearances came from the bench, and he struggled to secure a regular starting role.

Chelsea extended his contract and allowed him to join Borussia Dortmund on loan in January 2024.

That six-month move changed his career.

Why Was Borussia Dortmund Perfect for Maatsen?

Dortmund gave Maatsen the regular top-level football that he needed.

He quickly became the team’s main left-back and brought more speed and control to its build-up play.

Maatsen could stay wide, overlap an attacker or move inside to act like an extra midfielder. The Bundesliga later said his ability to enter midfield and attack down the wing changed how Dortmund played with the ball.

His strong start earned him the Bundesliga Rookie of the Month award for January 2024.

Maatsen made 16 league appearances during the loan and scored twice in the Bundesliga. He also became a major part of Dortmund’s Champions League campaign.

Did Ian Maatsen Reach the Champions League Final?

Yes.

Maatsen helped Borussia Dortmund reach the 2024 Champions League final at Wembley Stadium.

Dortmund defeated teams including PSV, Atlético Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain during the knockout rounds.

The German club faced Real Madrid in the final but lost 2–0.

Even without winning the trophy, Maatsen’s campaign was widely praised.

UEFA selected him at left-back in its official 2023/24 Champions League Team of the Season. The team also included Dortmund teammates Gregor Kobel, Mats Hummels and Marcel Sabitzer.

The loan proved that Maatsen could perform in important matches against Europe’s strongest clubs.

When Did Ian Maatsen Join Aston Villa?

Aston Villa announced Maatsen’s permanent signing on June 28, 2024.

He left Chelsea after six years and joined Unai Emery’s squad before the 2024/25 season.

Villa had qualified for the Champions League, allowing Maatsen to remain in the competition after his Dortmund run.

The transfer fee was officially undisclosed by the clubs. Reports commonly placed it at around £35 million to £37.5 million, but those numbers were not included in Aston Villa’s short official announcement.

Player databases list his agreement as running until June 2030.

That long contract showed Villa viewed him as an important part of its future rather than a temporary signing.

What Number Does Ian Maatsen Wear?

Maatsen wears number 22 for Aston Villa.

He has continued using that number during his Premier League and European appearances for the club.

The number does not define his role.

He usually starts at left-back, but his position can change when Villa has possession.

How Did Maatsen Perform in His First Aston Villa Season?

Maatsen made 29 Premier League appearances during the 2024/25 season.

He started 10 league matches, scored one goal and supplied two assists. He also appeared regularly in cup and European competition.

Lucas Digne remained strong competition for the starting left-back position.

As a result, Maatsen often entered matches as a substitute or started when Villa needed more speed and attacking movement.

His first Aston Villa goal came during the club’s Champions League round-of-16 victory over Club Brugge in March 2025.

Maatsen scored Villa’s second goal as the team won 3–0 on the night and 6–1 on aggregate, reaching the Champions League quarter-finals.

That goal carried special meaning because the Champions League had played such an important part in his rise at Dortmund.

How Did Ian Maatsen Perform in 2025/26?

Maatsen remained a regular member of Villa’s squad during the 2025/26 season.

Opta recorded him with 30 Premier League appearances, including 17 starts. He played 1,597 league minutes and provided one assist.

He also made 11 Europa League appearances and scored once in the competition.

Across the league, Europa League, FA Cup and League Cup, his playing time grew compared with parts of his first Villa campaign.

The figures show that Villa used him regularly, even when he did not start every match.

His ability to cover several roles gave Unai Emery different tactical choices.

What Is Ian Maatsen’s Best Position?

Maatsen considers himself primarily a left-back.

He has said that he values both the defensive and attacking parts of that position. During his Dortmund loan, he received the freedom to move forward and show more of his technical ability.

His best role may depend on the team’s system.

Traditional Left-Back

He begins in a defensive line of four and moves forward when space opens.

Wing-Back

Three central defenders provide protection, allowing him to play much higher.

Inverted Full-Back

He moves into central midfield when his team controls possession.

Left Winger

His speed and ball control allow him to play as a more advanced attacker when required.

This flexibility is valuable because modern coaches often change formations during the same match.

What Makes Maatsen’s Playing Style Different?

Maatsen plays with energy and confidence.

He does not wait for every attack to develop in front of him. Instead, he tries to join the move early.

When Villa has the ball, he may run outside the winger or move into a central area.

This movement can confuse defenders.

An opponent must decide whether to follow Maatsen inside or protect the wide area. Either choice can create space for another Villa player.

He is also comfortable receiving the ball under pressure.

His low centre of balance helps him turn quickly, while his speed allows him to recover after moving forward.

The Bundesliga credited his movement into midfield and ability to attack the wing as major parts of his instant Dortmund impact.

Does Maatsen Need to Improve Defensively?

Like many attacking full-backs, Maatsen can still improve parts of his defensive game.

Moving forward creates excitement, but it can also leave open space behind him.

He must judge when to attack and when to remain close to his centre-back.

Premier League opponents can quickly target an empty wide area after winning possession.

Further development may include:

• Stronger aerial defending
• Better positioning against crosses
• Improved timing in one-on-one challenges
• Greater physical strength
• More consistent final passes
• Knowing when to slow an attack

At 24, he still has time to develop these areas while keeping the attacking qualities that make him valuable.

When Did Ian Maatsen Make His Netherlands Debut?

Maatsen received several senior Netherlands call-ups before making his debut.

He was added to the Euro 2024 squad as an injury replacement for Frenkie de Jong. However, he did not play during the tournament.

His first senior appearance finally came against Spain on March 23, 2025.

Maatsen entered the Nations League quarter-final and scored a powerful goal that made the score 2–2. The match later ended 3–3 after extra time before Spain progressed through a penalty shootout.

Scoring on his debut completed an emotional international breakthrough.

He had waited through several squad selections before finally receiving minutes.

Could Maatsen Play for Indonesia or Suriname?

Maatsen was born in the Netherlands and has represented the country from youth level through to the senior team.

Public profiles also describe him as having Surinamese and Indonesian family roots.

Online supporters have sometimes discussed whether he could represent another country.

However, he has already played a competitive senior match for the Netherlands.

International eligibility rules can be complex, but no change should be presented as possible or confirmed without an official ruling and announcement.

His confirmed senior national team is the Netherlands.

Is Ian Maatsen Married?

Maatsen does not make every part of his family and romantic life public.

Football reports sometimes mention personal details, but many online biography pages repeat relationship claims without strong evidence.

Articles should avoid naming a wife or partner unless Maatsen has confirmed that information publicly.

His club career, match record and international journey are well documented. His private relationships should be treated with care.

What Is Ian Maatsen’s Net Worth?

Ian Maatsen’s exact net worth is not publicly verified.

Some websites publish estimates based on his transfer fee, contract and possible wages.

Those estimates cannot show:

• Taxes
• Savings
• Investments
• Property
• Family expenses
• Sponsorship income
• Personal debts

The reported transfer fee paid by Aston Villa went to Chelsea as part of a club-to-club deal. It was not a direct payment into Maatsen’s personal account.

The safest answer is that he earns a professional Premier League salary, while his full wealth remains private.

Is Ian Maatsen Leaving Aston Villa?

No permanent transfer away from Aston Villa has been officially announced.

Maatsen remains listed as a Villa player, and current football records show his contract running until 2030.

Competition for playing time may create future rumours.

However, a rumour is not the same as a formal offer or completed transfer.

Villa invested heavily in Maatsen and gave him a long agreement. His age, European experience and flexible playing style make him a useful squad member.

Final Thoughts

The name Lan Maatsen is normally a simple spelling mistake.

The footballer’s correct name is Ian Maatsen.

His career has already included several major steps.

Maatsen started in Dutch youth academies before joining Chelsea. Because regular first-team football was difficult to find, he developed through loans at Charlton, Coventry and Burnley.

His Burnley season brought a Championship title and major individual recognition.

A short Borussia Dortmund loan then changed how Europe viewed him. Maatsen became a regular Bundesliga starter, reached the Champions League final and entered UEFA’s official Team of the Season.

Aston Villa signed him permanently in June 2024.

His first two seasons included Premier League appearances, Champions League football, Europa League action and increased competition with experienced left-back Lucas Digne.

International football brought another special moment.

After waiting through several Netherlands call-ups, Maatsen scored against Spain during his senior debut in March 2025.

At 24, his journey is still developing.

He must continue improving defensively and turn more attacking runs into goals and assists. Yet his speed, flexibility and European experience give him the tools to remain an important Aston Villa and Netherlands player.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it Lan Maatsen or Ian Maatsen?

The correct spelling is Ian Maatsen. “Lan Maatsen” is a common search mistake caused by the appearance of the capital letter “I.”

Who is Ian Maatsen?

He is a Dutch professional footballer who plays at left-back for Aston Villa.

What is Ian Maatsen’s full name?

His full name is Ian Ethan Maatsen.

How old is Ian Maatsen?

He is 24 years old as of July 2026.

When was Ian Maatsen born?

He was born on March 10, 2002.

Where was Ian Maatsen born?

He was born in Vlaardingen, Netherlands.

How tall is Ian Maatsen?

He is commonly listed at around 1.78 metres, or about 5 feet 10 inches.

Which club does Ian Maatsen play for?

He plays for Aston Villa.

What number does Ian Maatsen wear?

He wears number 22.

What position does Ian Maatsen play?

He mainly plays as a left-back. He can also play as a wing-back or winger.

Is Ian Maatsen left-footed?

Yes. His preferred foot is his left.

When did Maatsen join Aston Villa?

He completed his permanent move in June 2024.

How long is his Aston Villa contract?

Current player databases list his contract as running until June 2030.

Which club sold Maatsen to Aston Villa?

Chelsea sold him after his successful Borussia Dortmund loan.

Did Maatsen play for Chelsea?

Yes. He made 16 senior appearances in all competitions for Chelsea.

Which clubs did he join on loan?

He played on loan for Charlton Athletic, Coventry City, Burnley and Borussia Dortmund.

Did Ian Maatsen win the Championship?

Yes. He won the 2022/23 Championship title with Burnley.

Did Maatsen play in a Champions League final?

Yes. He started for Borussia Dortmund against Real Madrid in the 2024 final.

Did he enter the Champions League Team of the Season?

Yes. UEFA selected him in its official 2023/24 Team of the Season.

Has Maatsen played for the Netherlands?

Yes. He made his senior debut in March 2025.

Did Ian Maatsen score on his Netherlands debut?

Yes. He scored against Spain during a 3–3 Nations League match.

Was Maatsen at Euro 2024?

Yes. He joined the squad as an injury replacement but did not play.

Is Ian Maatsen married?

His marital status has not been clearly confirmed through a dependable public source.

What is Ian Maatsen’s net worth?

His exact net worth is private and has not been reliably verified.

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