Tom Jan Hiariej (born 25 July 1988) is a Dutch former professional footballer who played as a defensive midfielder or right-back. He is of Moluccan descent.

Club career

The son of a Moluccan father and a Dutch mother, he made his professional first team debut in 2007 with Eredivisie side FC Groningen under long-time head coach Ron Jans. Hiariej scored his first professional goal on 23 January 2008 in a match against NEC. During his time at Groningen, Hiariej was sent on loan twice; to Emmen and Cambuur. In May 2017, he moved to Australia to play in Gosford for the Central Coast Mariners. After practicing with the first team for a few weeks, he signed another one-year contract with Emmen in July 2019. He left the club at the expiration of his contract, after losing his starting spot to Hilal Ben Moussa.

International career

Hiarej is also a Dutch youth international; he played a number of matches for several youth teams. He was also part of the Netherlands under-17 team, who ended up third in the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship. Netherlands under-17 coach, Ruud Kaiser was very impressed by the young defender. Before the youth FIFA U-17 World Cup in Peru, Kaiser said about Hiariej: "When Hiariej plays for his club, he plays central defender, but here he plays right-back. He is talented and quick. He also has the qualities to come up in attack; he sees the chances". Hiariej would also make appearances for the Netherlands under-21 team.

Honours

Groningen Netherlands U17