Leo Canjels was born in Breda April 1st 1933. He became Dutch topscorer in the "eredivisie" in 1957/58 (32 goals)and 1958/59 (34 goals). In his 3 caps for the Dutch national team in 1959 he scored 2 goals. Leo made his debut against Turkey in Istanbul 10-05-1959 (0-0). In his 2nd match in Sofia against Bulgaria they lost 3-2 (with Canjels scoring both Dutch goals!). His last cap was another loss in Amsterdam on May 27th 1959 against Scotland 1-2......
Canjels got a transfer to Belgian side Patro Eisden in his late years before he became a trainer at NAC, MVV Maastricht, Club Brugge, Cercle Brugge, KV Mechelen and Eendracht Aalst.
In 1973 he won the Belgian Championship with the Dutch midfield-trio: Houwaart-Rijnders-Veenstra.