Early career Maitimo started his football career at the age of 6 years old, for club VV Nieuwerkerk in the Netherlands. Already after two years, Maitimo was scouted by several professional Dutch clubs, one being
Feyenoord where he took the first steps of his professional career. Maitimo spent his whole youth career at
Feyenoord Academy. In
Feyenoord youth, Maitimo played together with
Robin van Persie. In the Dutch youth national teams Maitimo played alongside
Wesley Sneijder and
Arjen Robben Although having professional sporting commitments Maitimo also finished his bachelor's degree in Economics of Commerce with Sports Marketing & Management as his minor. Maitimo followed a special program for professional athletes, at the
Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, to complete his
Bachelor of Economics.
FC Dordrecht In January 2005, he made his debut at a senior level with club
FC Dordrecht in the
Eerste Divisie which is the second-highest division of football in the Netherlands.
Beijing BIT In January 2011, Maitimo continued his professional senior career in the
China League One with club
Beijing BIT for two seasons. Maitimo played as a holding midfielder and scored 6 goals.
Bali Devata and vv Capelle He made his next move to Indonesia. In 2011 Maitimo signed with
Liga Primer Indonesia club
Bali Devata and scored 3 goals. Unfortunately, the league stopped after 6 Months, because of domestic political problems. In 2012 Maitimo played for
vv Capelle in
Topklasse to stay fit and after 1 Month he returned back to Indonesia.
Mitra Kukar In May 2013 Maitimo signed for
Mitra Kukar in the
Indonesian Super League. He made his debut on 17 May 2013 in a match against
Pelita Jaya. On 15 September 2013, Maitimo scored his first goal for Mitra Kukar against
PSPS Pekanbaru in the 58th minute at the
Aji Imbut Stadium,
Tenggarong. He played 35 matches and scored 2 goals in
2013 season for
Mitra Kukar. He also scored 3 goals in 6 matches playing in
2014 Inter Island Cup.
Sriwijaya FC In January 2015, he signed with
Sriwijaya. Maitimo made his debut on 4 April 2015 in a match against
Pelita Bandung Raya. On 7 April 2015, Maitimo scored his first goal for Sriwijaya against
Semen Padang in the 35th minute at the
Gelora Sriwijaya Stadium,
Palembang. After three matches the Indonesian league got banned by FIFA because of a force majeur.
Arema Cronus He was signed for
Arema Cronus to play in
Indonesia Soccer Championship A in the 2016 season. He made 30 appearances and played mostly as a holding midfielder. Maitimo scored 2 goals for Arema Cronus in the competition and 2 goals in the Bayangkara Cup. With 9 assists during the season Maitimo became the top assist player of the season Arema Cronus became runner-up in the league and champions of the Bayangkara Cup.
Persib Bandung In 2017, Raphael Maitimo signed a one-year contract with Indonesian
Liga 1 club
Persib Bandung. He made his debut on 29 April 2017 in a match against
Sriwijaya. On 11 June 2017, Maitimo scored his first goal for Persib against
Persiba Balikpapan in the 88th minute at the
Gelora Bandung Lautan Api Stadium,
Bandung. He made 28 league appearances and scored 9 goals in the league for Persib Bandung and 3 goals in pre-season friendly matches. Besides becoming top scorer of the team Maitimo also became the player with the most assists of the season.
Madura United He was signed for
Madura United to play in
Liga 1 in the
2018 season and became the highest-paid player of the league. Maitimo made his debut on 26 March 2018 in a match against
Barito Putera. On 26 March 2018, Maitimo scored his first goal for Madura United in the 11th minute at the
Gelora Ratu Pamelingan Stadium,
Pamekasan. He made 10 league appearances and scored 6 goals including pre-season tournament matches for Madura United.
Loan to Persebaya Surabaya In July 2018, Maitimo join
Liga 1 club
Persebaya on
loan for the rest
2018 season. Towards the end of the first half of Liga 1 season 2018, Persebaya Surabaya gets new ammunition to meet the second half. Raphael Maitimo joined the club with the name Bajul Ijo. His debut came on 18 July as a substitute when he replaced
Feri Pahabol. The match ended 2–0 to Persebaya as a home victory. Because of a complicated injury, Maitimo only played 2 matches for Persebaya and wasn't able to play for the rest of the season.
PSIM Yogyakarta He was signed for
PSIM Yogyakarta to play in
Liga 2 in the 2019 season. He made 7 league appearances and scored 2 goals for PSIM Yogyakarta.
PSM Makassar In the middle of the 2019 season, Maitimo signed a year contract with
Liga 1 club
PSM Makassar. He made his debut on 27 September 2019 in a match against
Persipura Jayapura. On 22 December 2019, Maitimo scored his first goal for PSM against
Persib Bandung in the 73rd minute at the
Si Jalak Harupat Stadium,
Soreang.
Persita Tangerang Maitimo signed a year contract with
Persita Tangerang in 2020. and made his debut in the
2020 Liga 1. Maitimo scored his debut in the
2020 Liga 1 against
TIRA-Persikabo. This season was suspended on 27 March 2020 due to the
COVID-19 pandemic. The season was abandoned and was declared void on 20 January 2021.
Barito Putera In January 2022, Maitimo signed a contract with
Liga 1 club
Barito Putera. He made his league debut in a 3–0 lost against
Bali United on 9 January at the
Ngurah Rai Stadium,
Denpasar. == International career ==