Thijs Kraaijeveld comes from a supportive Dutch family that has accompanied him throughout his development at Feyenoord. Although the young midfielder regularly acknowledges his parents and relatives, their names and personal backgrounds have not been widely reported.
More information has emerged about his romantic life. Kraaijeveld was in a long-term relationship with Indy Zijlaard, the daughter of Olympic cycling champion Leontien Zijlaard-van Moorsel and former cyclist Maikel Zijlaard. However, Leontien revealed in July 2026 that the relationship had been placed on hold.
Who Are Thijs Kraaijeveld’s Parents?
The names of Thijs Kraaijeveld’s parents have not been publicly confirmed by reliable sources. He has referred to them in interviews, but they appear to prefer living outside the media spotlight.
Kraaijeveld was born in the Rotterdam area on May 3, 2007. He began playing for XerxesDZB before joining Feyenoord’s academy in 2016, when he was nine years old.
His parents supported a demanding academy journey that lasted almost a decade before he made his senior debut. When Kraaijeveld reflected on his breakthrough in 2026, he said that conversations with his parents and family helped him understand how quickly his life had changed.
Who Is Thijs Kraaijeveld’s Father?
The identity and profession of Thijs Kraaijeveld’s father have not been documented in established Dutch football publications.
No reliable evidence indicates that his father played professional football or worked within the sport. Available interviews simply show that both parents have remained involved in their son’s life and regularly discuss his career with him.
Who Is Thijs Kraaijeveld’s Mother?
Thijs Kraaijeveld’s mother has also remained private. Her name, occupation and personal history have not been disclosed through dependable public sources.
Because Kraaijeveld entered Feyenoord’s academy while still a child, his mother and father would have been responsible for helping him balance school, travel, training and matches. However, the family has not publicly described how those responsibilities were divided.
Does Thijs Kraaijeveld Have Siblings?
No reliable public information confirms whether Thijs Kraaijeveld has brothers or sisters. His club interviews and Dutch media profiles refer broadly to his family without identifying any siblings.
It would therefore be inaccurate to state that he is an only child. The available evidence establishes only that any possible siblings have remained outside public attention.
Does Thijs Kraaijeveld Have a Girlfriend?
Thijs Kraaijeveld was in a relationship with Indy Zijlaard from early 2022. The relationship became publicly known while both were still progressing through school and their respective sporting environments.
Indy supported Kraaijeveld during his development at Feyenoord and was occasionally seen with him in publicly shared photographs. Dutch publications consequently identified her as his girlfriend.
However, the latest public update came in July 2026, when Indy’s mother said that the relationship had been placed “on pause.” This means it is unclear whether Kraaijeveld and Indy are currently together. Neither has publicly provided a detailed update about their status.
Who Is Indy Zijlaard?
Indy Zijlaard is the daughter of retired Dutch cyclists Leontien Zijlaard-van Moorsel and Maikel Zijlaard. She grew up in a family with a significant history in competitive cycling.
Her mother is one of the Netherlands’ most successful athletes. Leontien won four Olympic gold medals and multiple world championships during her cycling career. Indy’s father, Maikel, also competed in track cycling and won Dutch national titles.
Kraaijeveld admitted that he did not initially understand how famous Indy’s mother was. Her greatest achievements occurred before he was born, and Leontien reportedly had to explain her Olympic career to him.
Are Thijs Kraaijeveld and Indy Zijlaard Still Together?
Their current relationship status is uncertain. They were together for approximately four years, but Leontien Zijlaard-van Moorsel stated in July 2026 that the relationship was temporarily on hold.
Since Kraaijeveld and Indy have not publicly confirmed either a reconciliation or a permanent separation, describing Indy as his former girlfriend would be premature. The most accurate description is that their relationship status has not been clarified following the reported pause.
Is Thijs Kraaijeveld Married?
There is no credible evidence that Thijs Kraaijeveld is married. He has never announced a wedding, and no established publication identifies Indy Zijlaard or anyone else as his wife.
Does Thijs Kraaijeveld Have Children?
No reliable report indicates that Thijs Kraaijeveld has children. He has not announced becoming a father, and credible profiles of the Feyenoord midfielder do not mention any sons or daughters.
How Did His Family Influence Thijs Kraaijeveld’s Career?
Kraaijeveld’s family supported him through an unusually long period in Feyenoord’s academy. After arriving from XerxesDZB in 2016, he progressed through numerous age groups and represented the Netherlands at youth level.
In June 2022, the midfielder signed his first professional contract with Feyenoord. The club later extended his agreement until the summer of 2028.
His development was interrupted by a serious knee injury in 2024. Kraaijeveld recovered and returned strongly enough to receive opportunities with Feyenoord’s senior squad.
He made his professional debut against Sparta Rotterdam on August 31, 2025. His first senior start and European debut followed against Real Betis in January 2026.
When discussing those achievements, Kraaijeveld acknowledged that sharing the experience with his parents and relatives helped him appreciate his progress. He described the transition from playing youth football to standing inside De Kuip as something that happened extremely quickly.
Thijs Kraaijeveld’s Connection to Two Sporting Families
Kraaijeveld’s relationship with Indy connected him socially to the well-known Zijlaard cycling family. Her parents understood the discipline and pressure associated with elite sport, even though cycling and football present different professional challenges.
Leontien spoke positively about Kraaijeveld while he was dating her daughter. She described him as a welcome presence within their family, while also avoiding placing excessive expectations on the young couple.
Their reported relationship pause should be treated respectfully. No credible source has suggested that it affected the support Kraaijeveld previously received from the Zijlaard family.
Why Is Little Known About His Immediate Family?
Kraaijeveld only became a regular subject of senior football coverage after his Feyenoord breakthrough. Earlier reports concentrated on his academy performances, injury recovery and playing style rather than his home life.
His parents are not known public figures and have not given prominent media interviews. Their decision to remain private means that unsupported websites should not be used to supply names, professions or family relationships.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Thijs Kraaijeveld’s parents?
The names of his parents have not been publicly confirmed. They have supported his career but remain outside the media spotlight.
Does Thijs Kraaijeveld have siblings?
No reliable source confirms whether Kraaijeveld has brothers or sisters.
Who is Thijs Kraaijeveld’s girlfriend?
Kraaijeveld was in a relationship with Indy Zijlaard. In July 2026, Indy’s mother said that the relationship had been placed on hold.
Are Thijs Kraaijeveld and Indy Zijlaard still together?
Their current status is unclear. Neither has publicly confirmed whether they reconciled or permanently ended the relationship.
Who are Indy Zijlaard’s parents?
Her parents are Olympic cycling champion Leontien Zijlaard-van Moorsel and former track cyclist Maikel Zijlaard.
Is Thijs Kraaijeveld married?
No credible public information indicates that he is married.
Does Thijs Kraaijeveld have children?
No reliable reports indicate that he has children.

Miguel Manjate is a football journalist and editor covering the Premier League, European competitions, and transfer news, with a strong focus on match analysis and data-driven reporting.
