Tyrique Mercera

Tyrique Mercera
Personal information
Date of birth (2003-12-19) 19 December 2003
Place of birth The Hague, Netherlands[1]
Height 1.87 m (6 ft 1+12 in)
Position Defender
Team information
Current team
Groningen
Number 16
Youth career
–2022 Alphense Boys
2022–2023 Cambuur
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2023–2025 Cambuur 47 (3)
2025– Groningen 10 (0)
International career
2024– Curaçao 1 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 5 December 2025

Tyrique Mercera (born 19 December 2003) is a professional footballer who plays as a defender for Eredivisie club Groningen. Born in the Netherlands, he plays for the Curaçao national team.[2]

Club career

From South Holland he played as a youngster for Alphense Boys prior to joining the youth academy of Cambuur.[3] In the summer of 2024 he signed a two year professional contract with the club.[4] A versatile player, he featured for the club at both full back positions as well as centrally in defensive midfield. He scored his first professional goals for Cambuur with a brace in a 4-0 Eerste Divisie win against Jong FC Utrecht in September 2024.[5] For his efforts in that game he was awarded the league player of the week award on 25 September 2024.[6]

On 18 July 2025, Mercera signed a four-year contract with Groningen.[7]

International career

He received his first call-up to the Curaçao national football team by head coach Dick Advocaat in the autumn of 2023.[8] He appeared as a substitute in the 2024–25 CONCACAF Nations League B match against Saint Martin on 15 November 2024 to make his debut for the national team.[4][9]

Personal life

When he was an amateur footballer he supplemented his income by working as a delivery driver.[4][3]

References

  1. ^ Tyrique Mercera at WorldFootball.net
  2. ^ "Tyrique Mercera". Soccerway. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  3. ^ a b Ploeg, Jonathan (April 26, 2024). "DHL parcel delivery driver Tyrique Mercera (20) is set to make his debut at SC Cambuur: 'Very special'". lc.nl. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  4. ^ a b c Faber, Andor (November 22, 2024). "Tyrique Mercera takes giant steps; from amateur to international and a new contract". omfropfryslan.nl. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  5. ^ Ploeg, Jonathan (September 24, 2024). "Goalscorer Tyrique Mercera relieved after big win SC Cambuur: 'We felt the pressure'". lc.nl. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  6. ^ "Tyrique Mercera receives e-Boekhouden.nl Player of the Week award". keukenkampioendivisie.nl. September 25, 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  7. ^ "FC Groningen contracteert verdediger Mercera" [FC Groningen signs defender Mercera.] (in Dutch). FC Groningen. 18 July 2025. Retrieved 11 December 2025.
  8. ^ van Tuinen, Geert (8 November 2024). "Mercera hopet takom wike syn debút foar Kurasao te meitsjen: "Dit wordt een leuke strijd"". omropfrysland. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  9. ^ "SAINT MARTIN VS. CURAÇAO 0 - 5". Soccerway. 15 November 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2024.