Wilkes became one the first Dutch players to turn professional when he signed for Italy's Inter Milan in 1949 after starting his career at Xerxes Rotterdam.

He scored 47 goals in almost 100 appearances for Inter over three years before joining Torino for one season and then moving to Spain's Valencia.

His departure was one of the factors in the eventual introduction of professional soccer in the Netherlands. Once that happened Wilkes returned to play for Fortuna '54 and Xerxes, where he ended his career in 1964 at 40.

The stylish striker, famed for his dribbling and ball control, made his international debut in 1946, scoring 35 goals in 39 appearances, but was not allowed to play for the Dutch team between 1949 and 1956 as he was a professional.