He also played for FC Den Bosch, HFC Haarlem, Sparta Rotterdam and Go Ahead Eagles before being forced to retirement at the age of 30.
After one season of limited chances or football action, Willems left Ajax bound for fellow Eredivisie side Vitesse Arnhem where he would remain until 1999.
In November 2001, Menno signed a three-month loan deal with English club Grimsby Town as Mariners boss Lennie Lawrence brought in a wave of foreign talent following the dismissal of Alan Buckley.
Willems along with David Nielsen, Knut Anders Fostervold and Zhang Enhua linked up with the club on loan.
In the new season, slight injury problems coupled with performances of other players saw Willems fall out of favour at the club under new manager Paul Groves.