Spitse started her career at VV Sneek before joining SC Heerenveen when the Eredivisie Vrouwen, the Dutch women's professional league, was established in 2007.[3] In five seasons at Heerenveen, she played in 100 matches and scored 13 goals.[4] In 2012, as the Dutch and Belgian leagues merged to form the BeNe League, Spitse moved to FC Twente in May 2012.[5] At Twente, she won the BeNe League titles in 2012–13 and 2013–14. She was also the club top scorer in 2012–13.[3]
In December 2013, it was announced that Spitse would transfer to Norwegian Toppserien club LSK Kvinner FK from January 2014.[6] This was the first transfer that included monetary payment in Dutch women's football.[7][8][9][10] With LSK Kvinner, Spitse became a Norwegian League and Cup champion at the end of the 2014 season. She was also voted on to Norway's Team of the Year at the annual NISO awards ceremony in Oslo.[11] She remained in the club for the next two seasons, through 2016, winning the League and Cup in both seasons.[12]
On 19 December 2016, during the 2015–16 Eredivisie winter break, she moved back to the Netherlands, agreeing to a contract with FC Twente for the second half of the season.[13] On 16 June 2017, she extended her contract with FC Twente for one season.[14]
During the 2017–18 Eredivisie winter break, on 27 December 2017, she signed a two-year contract with Vålerenga Fotball, returning to the Norwegian Toppserien.[15]
On 20 November 2020, it was announced that Spitse had returned to the Eredivisie, joining Ajax.[16]
On 7 February 2015, she earned her 100th cap for the Dutch against Thailand.[22] Spitse helped the Netherlands qualify for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup and was selected for the final squad.[23] She played all four matches in the tournament.[2]
Spitse suffered a knee injury in July 2021, forcing her to miss the rescheduled 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics.[30] In June 2022, Spitse earned her 200th cap with the Netherlands.[28]
On 31 May 2023, she was named as part of the Netherlands provisional squad for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.[31] Spitse was the captain of the Dutch team and appeared in all five matches.[32][33]
Career statistics
Scores and results list the Netherlands' goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Spitse goal.
List of international goals scored by Sherida Spitse[17]
*During the BeNe League period (2012 to 2015), the highest placed Dutch team is considered as national champion by the Royal Dutch Football Association.[36]