Kevin Strootman, once nicknamed “The Washing Machine” by his former coach Rudi Garcia for his ability to clean up messy plays and deliver pristine passes, is a figure who commands respect in European football history.
Though the Dutch midfielder officially hung up his boots in late 2024, his financial legacy and impact on the game remain significant in 2025. With a career spanning PSV Eindhoven, AS Roma, and Marseille, Strootman accumulated substantial wealth through lucrative contracts and sponsorships.
In this article, you will know Kevin Strootman’s net worth, career earnings, career overview, stats, relationship, and his life after retirement.
Kevin Strootman’s Biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kevin Johannes Willem Strootman |
| Date of Birth | February 13, 1990 |
| Age | 35 |
| Education | N/A (Youth Academy at Sparta Rotterdam) |
| Nationality | Dutch |
| Height | 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) |
| Weight | 80 kg (Approx.) |
| Turned Pro | 2008 |
| Retired | October 18, 2024 |
| Net Worth | Estimated $14 Million – $18 Million |
| Career Earnings | Est. €45 Million+ (Gross Salaries) |
| Wife | Thara Pols |
| Instagram Profile | @kstrootman6 |
| Twitter Profile | @Kevin_strootman |
Early Career
Kevin Strootman was born in Ridderkerk, Netherlands, and his footballing journey began just a few kilometers away at Sparta Rotterdam. He joined their youth academy at the tender age of six, showing an early maturity that would define his career.
He made his professional debut for Sparta Rotterdam in the 2007–08 season. Even as a teenager, his leadership was undeniable; he was often seen organizing the midfield and commanding players much older than him.
Following Sparta’s relegation, Strootman continued to shine in the second division, eventually earning a move to FC Utrecht in January 2011. His rise was meteoric. After just six months at Utrecht, where he dominated the midfield, Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven came calling.
In June 2011, he signed with PSV alongside Dries Mertens, cementing his status as one of the most promising young talents in Dutch football.
Professional Career
Strootman’s professional prime was a mix of world-class performances and unfortunate injuries. At PSV, he won the KNVB Cup and became a regular for the Netherlands national team, earning the captain’s armband at a remarkably young age.
His commanding style caught the eye of AS Roma, who signed him in 2013 for €17 million.
In Rome, Strootman quickly became a fan favorite, known as “Il Lavatrice” (The Washing Machine) for his ability to recover possession and distribute the ball cleanly. However, a devastating ACL injury in 2014 significantly altered his trajectory, forcing him to miss the 2014 World Cup and spend long periods on the sidelines.
He battled back, eventually securing a major transfer to Olympique Marseille in 2018 for €25 million, reuniting with coach Rudi Garcia.
His later years were spent in Italy, with loan spells at Genoa and Cagliari, before he signed permanently with Genoa. He helped the club achieve promotion back to Serie A in the 2022-23 season.
After his contract with Genoa expired in the summer of 2024, Strootman officially announced his retirement from professional football on October 18, 2024, closing the chapter on a distinguished 16-year career.
Wife
Kevin Strootman is married to Thara Pols. Their love story is one of childhood sweethearts; they met in Rotterdam when Kevin was 18 and Thara was 17, and they have been together for over 15 years.
Thara, who studied communication and aspired to be a teacher, put her own career on hold to support Kevin’s moves across Europe, living with him in Eindhoven, Rome, Marseille, and Genoa.
The couple has two daughters. Their first daughter, Jonah Maxime, was born in August 2018. Their second daughter, Rocky Diana, was born on June 4, 2021.
In 2025, the family is enjoying a more settled life following Kevin’s retirement, with Kevin noting in interviews how much he appreciates the quiet mornings and school runs that he missed during his playing days.
Kevin Strootman’s Net Worth Details
As of 2025, Kevin Strootman has an estimated net worth of $14 million to $18 million. This wealth is the result of over a decade of high-paying contracts in Serie A and Ligue 1, carefully managed during his transition into retirement.
Contract
Strootman’s most lucrative contract was signed in 2018 with Olympique Marseille. The French club paid a €25 million transfer fee and signed him to a 5-year deal that reportedly paid him one of the highest salaries in the squad.
Prior to that, in 2017, he signed a long-term extension with AS Roma that secured his financial future through 2022. His final contract with Genoa was significantly lower than his peak Marseille wages but included performance bonuses tied to the club’s promotion to Serie A.
Salary
At the peak of his career at Marseille, Strootman was earning an estimated €4.5 million to €6 million annually. During his time at AS Roma, his salary evolved from an initial €2.2 million per year to over €3 million after his extension.
In his final active season (2023-2024) with Genoa, he was still among the highest earners in the squad, with reports suggesting a salary in the range of €2 million to €2.5 million.
Career Earnings
| Year/Season | Club | Estimated Gross Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| 2011-2013 | PSV Eindhoven | ~€1.5 Million (Total) |
| 2013-2014 | AS Roma | €2.3 Million |
| 2014-2015 | AS Roma | €2.5 Million |
| 2015-2016 | AS Roma | €2.8 Million |
| 2016-2017 | AS Roma | €3.0 Million |
| 2017-2018 | AS Roma | €3.2 Million |
| 2018-2019 | Marseille | €5.5 Million |
| 2019-2020 | Marseille | €5.5 Million |
| 2020-2021 | Marseille/Genoa | €5.0 Million |
| 2021-2022 | Cagliari (Loan) | €4.0 Million |
| 2022-2023 | Genoa (Loan) | ~€2.5 Million |
| 2023-2024 | Genoa | ~€2.1 Million |
Career Stats
| Statistic | Total |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 450+ (Club Level) |
| Goals Scored | 35+ |
| Assists | 60+ |
| International Caps | 46 (Netherlands) |
| International Goals | 3 |
| Major Honors | KNVB Cup (2012), Supercoppa Italiana runner-up |
FAQs
1. Is Kevin Strootman still playing football?
No, Kevin Strootman is not playing professionally. He officially announced his retirement from football on October 18, 2024, at the age of 34.
2. What is Kevin Strootman doing now?
Since retiring, Strootman is focusing on his family and maintaining a balanced lifestyle. He has mentioned in interviews that he enjoys daily workouts like padel and strength training but is taking time away from the pressures of professional football.
3. Who is Kevin Strootman’s wife?
He is married to Thara Pols. They have been together since they were teenagers in Rotterdam and have two daughters, Jonah Maxime and Rocky Diana.
4. What was Kevin Strootman’s highest salary?
Strootman’s highest salary came during his time at Olympique Marseille (2018–2021), where he earned an estimated €5.5 million to €6 million per season.
5. Which clubs did Kevin Strootman play for?
During his senior career, Strootman played for Sparta Rotterdam, FC Utrecht, PSV Eindhoven, AS Roma, Olympique Marseille, Genoa, and Cagliari.
