Leyton Orient have announced the signing of Dutch defender Jens Janse. The 30-year-old has signed a contract with the O’s until the end of the season. Janse is primarily a right back, though he is able to play across the back four as well as in midfield. Jens was a free agent following his departure from Ternana and he had recently been on trial with Dundee.

Jens Janse

Age: 30

Born: Venlo, Netherlands

Height: 1.86 cm (6 ft 1 in)

Career Apps: 225

Career Goals: 3

 

 

Jens Janse was born in Venlo, Netherlands in July 1986. He grew up in the town of Maasbree and played for amateur side MVC ’19 before moving to the youth system at VVV-Venlo. Janse then joined PSV Eindhoven‘s academy, initially as a right winger but he later moved back to right back.

Jens opted to move to Willem II rather than sign a senior contract with PSV. He made his senior debut for the club in January 2006. Janse’s breakthrough season in the Willem II senior side came in 2006/07 and he went on to play over 100 games for the club during his five-year stay.

In the summer of 2010 he joined NAC Breda. Jens stayed at the club for three years and made 64 appearances for NAC.

Janse signed for Spanish Segunda División side Córdoba in July 2013. He featured 11 times for Los Blanquiverdes before moving on in February 2014.

He joined top division Georgian side Dinamo Tbilisi until the end of the 2013/14 season but managed just 4 appearances for the club.

In September 2014 Janse moved to Italy, signing for Serie B side Ternana. He played 20 games in his first season with the club and last term he featured 21 times. He left the club this summer.

Jens was on trial with Scottish Premiership side Dundee as recently as last week, however, the free agent has made the move to England.

Janse was capped by the Netherlands at youth level. He made 12 appearances for the Dutch Under-19s and later made the step up to the Under-21s for whom he played 21 times between 2005 and 2007.

The Dutchman’s arrival will strengthen Andy Hessenthaler’s defensive options, an issue that became of greater importance following Saturday’s game as Nicky Hunt sustained a medial collateral ligament injury. However, it should be noted that Janse has not played a competitive fixture since May so it remains to be seen whether he will go straight into Orient’s starting line-up.