Dion Cools is a professional soccer player known for his defensive skills and versatility.
Born in Malaysia to a Belgian father and Malaysian mother, Cools initially played for Belgium’s youth teams before switching to the Malaysian national team in 2021.
He gained recognition through his performances at European clubs, notably with Club Brugge in Belgium and FC Midtjylland in Denmark.
His decision to represent Malaysia internationally further enhanced his status, especially in Southeast Asia.
Currently, he plays for Buriram United in the Thai League, where he continues to make a significant impact, helping his club to many domestic wins.
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- – Full name: Dion-Johan Chai Cools
- – Date of birth: June 4, 1996
- – Age: 28 years old
- – Gender: Male
- – Place of birth: Kuching, Malaysia
- – Nationality: Belgian-Malaysian
- – Occupation: Professional soccer player
- – Height: 1.85 m
- – Parents: Hans Cools (father), Xylina Chai (mother)
- – Siblings: Not applicable
- – Spouse: Melissa Schelfhout
- – Children: Liam-Zayn Cools
- – Relationship status: Married
- – Religion: Not applicable
- – Ethnicity: Mixed (Belgian-Malaysian)
- – Net worth: €800,000 (about $850,000)
Early life and education
Dion Cools was born on June 4, 1996 in Kuching, Malaysia and as of 2024, he is 28 years old. His father, Hans Cools, is Belgian, while his mother, Xylina Chai, is Malaysian of Chinese descent.
This mixed heritage has allowed Dion to represent Belgium and Malaysia at different career stages. Although he spent his childhood in Malaysia, his family later moved to Belgium, where he grew up and began his football journey.
Cools attended school in Belgium, where he joined local football academies, but there is no public record of his specific education beyond football training.
Ethnically, he is of Chinese-Belgian and Malaysian descent, a background that later played an important role in his decision to represent Malaysia internationally.
Personal life
Dion Cools is married to Melissa Schelfhout, a Belgian woman with whom he shares a son, Liam-Zayn Cools, born on May 6, 2022. The couple married on the same day as their son’s birth, hitting marks an important moment.
The specifics of how the couple met have not been publicly revealed, but their relationship has been well documented, especially during key moments in Cools’ career. There are no reports of divorces or infidelity involving Cools, and he appears to maintain a stable and happy family life.
Career
Dion Cools began his professional football career with OH Leuven in Belgium in 2014. He quickly attracted attention due to his performances and moved to Belgian giants Club Brugge in 2015.
During his time with Club Brugge, Cools played an important role in the team’s defense, winning multiple Belgian league and Super Cup titles.
His success in Belgium led to a move to FC Midtjylland of Denmark in 2020, where he contributed to the club’s Danish Superliga title and participation in European competitions, including including the UEFA Champions League.
After a short loan spell with Zulte Waregem and a brief spell at FK Jablonec in the Czech Republic, Cools signed for Buriram United in Thailand in 2023.
His time in Thailand was very successful. He helped Buriram United win the domestic treble, winning the Thai League, Thai FA Cup and Thai League Cup in the 2022–23 season.
Cools also plays for the Malaysian national team, after moving from representing Belgium at youth level. He debuted for the Malaysian team in 2021 and has become a key player, wearing the captain’s armband and helping them qualify for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup.
prize
- – Champion of the Belgian Professional League: 2016, 2018 (Club Brugge)
- – Belgian Super Cup: 2016, 2018 (Club Brugge)
- – Danish Superliga Champion: 2020 (FC Midtjylland)
- – Thai League champion: 2023, 2024 (Buriram United)
- – Thai FA Cup: 2023 (Buriram United)
- – Thai Federation Cup: 2023 (Buriram United)
Net worth
Dion Cools’s estimated net worth is 800,000 euros (about $850,000). His wealth mainly comes from his football career, which includes contracts with top European clubs and his current team, Buriram United, in Thailand.
Social Media
- Instagram: Not applicable
- Twitter: Not applicable
