Damián van der Vaart
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Date of birth | 28 May 2006 | ||
Place of birth | Zaanstad, Netherlands[1] | ||
Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
Team information | |||
Current team | Ajax | ||
Youth career | |||
Years | Team | ||
2012–2020 | SC Victoria | ||
2020–2023 | Esbjerg | ||
2023– | Ajax |
Damián van der Vaart (born 28 May 2006) is a Dutch footballer currently playing as a midfielder for Ajax.
Early life[edit]
Van der Vaart was born in the Dutch municipality of Zaanstad to former Dutch international footballer Rafael van der Vaart and Dutch television personality and model Sylvie Meis.[2] Following his parent's separation in 2013, he remained in Germany with his mother.[3]
Club career[edit]
Following his father's move from London-based club Tottenham Hotspur to German side Hamburger SV in 2012, van der Vaart joined the academy of fellow Hamburg-based club SC Victoria.[4] During his time with SC Victoria, the club was sponsored by his mother's company, Meis Enterprise.[5]
In July 2020, van der Vaart moved to Denmark to live with his father, joining the academy of Esbjerg - the last club his father had played for, and the club his father's new partner, Estavana Polman, played handball for.[6][7] A year after joining the Danish 1st Division side, on his fifteenth birthday in May 2021, he signed a new contract, keeping him with the club until 2023.[8] He made his unofficial debut for the club in February 2022, while his father was a member of the coaching staff.[9]
On 6 September 2023, van der Vaart joined another of his father's former clubs, returning to the Netherlands to join Ajax on a free transfer, with a compensation fee being agreed between Ajax and Esbjerg.[2][10][11] He had trialled with the Eredivisie side three months prior, and on signing a one-year deal, he stated: "I am very happy. It was always a dream of mine to play for Ajax."[12]
International career[edit]
Born in the Netherlands, van der Vaart is eligible to represent the Netherlands and Indonesia at international level, due to his mother's Dutch East Indies heritage.[13] He made his debut for the Netherlands under-17 Futures side, composed of players not yet eligible to represent the full under-17 squad, in a 2–2 friendly draw against Luxembourg in February 2023, before going on to also feature in a 2–0 loss to Belgium.[14][15]
References[edit]
- ^ Damián van der Vaart at WorldFootball.net
- ^ a b "Ajax has signed Damián van der Vaart". english.ajax.nl. 6 September 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
- ^ Gründlers, Berit-Silja (3 May 2019). "Sylvie Meis' Sohn spricht über schwere Kindheit" [Sylvie Meis' son talks about difficult childhood]. schweizer-illustrierte.ch (in German). Retrieved 1 April 2024.
- ^ "Damian Van der Vaart verstärkt Victoria Hamburg" [Damian Van der Vaart joins Victoria Hamburg]. sportal.de (in German). 9 October 2012. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
- ^ "Tritt er in Papas Fußstapfen? DFB fördert Damian van der Vaart" [Is he following in Dad’s footsteps? DFB supports Damian van der Vaart]. stern.de (in German). 29 November 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
- ^ "Fussball zuerst: Sohn Damian zieht zu Vater Rafael van der Vaart" [Football first: Son Damian moves in with father Rafael van der Vaart]. bluewin.ch (in German). 18 July 2020. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
- ^ Westphal, Kim (22 July 2020). "Ny van der Vaart på banen" [New van der Vaart on the pitch]. ugeavisen.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 1 April 2024.
- ^ "Scorer kontrakt med dansk klub" [Scores contract with Danish club]. ekstrabladet.dk (in Danish). 28 May 2021. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
- ^ "Wie is Damian Van der Vaart, de zoon van Rafael die heeft getekend bij Ajax?" [Who is Damian Van der Vaart, the son of Rafael who has signed with Ajax?]. voetbalnieuws.nl (in Dutch). 7 September 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
- ^ "Esbjerg har solgt Damian van der Vaart til Ajax" [Esbjerg has sold Damian van der Vaart to Ajax]. bt.dk (in Danish). 1 September 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
- ^ "EFB SÆLGER DAMIAN VAN DER VAART TIL AFC AJAX" [EFB SELLS DAMIAN VAN DER VAART TO AFC AJAX]. efb.dk (in Danish). 6 September 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
- ^ "Damián van der Vaart dolt bij Ajax met vader Rafael: 'Ik ben sneller dan hij was'" [Damián van der Vaart plays at Ajax with father Rafael: 'I am faster than he was']. ad.nl (in Dutch). 7 September 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
- ^ Rahmayunita, Husna (7 September 2023). "3 Fakta Menarik Damian van der Vaart, Pemain Berdarah Indonesia yang Resmi Gabung Ajax Amsterdam" [3 Interesting Facts about Damian van der Vaart, Indonesian Player Who Officially Joined Ajax Amsterdam]. suara.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 1 April 2024.
- ^ "DAMIAN VAN DER VAART PÅ U17-LANDSHOLDET" [DAMIAN VAN DER VAART ON THE U17 NATIONAL TEAM]. efb.dk (in Danish). 17 February 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
- ^ Milani, Babak (22 March 2023). "Van-der-Vaart-Sohn Damian läuft im Oranje Trikot auf" [Van der Vaart's son Damian wears the Oranje jersey]. sportbild.bild.de (in German). Retrieved 1 April 2024.
- 2006 births
- Living people
- Footballers from Zaanstad
- Dutch men's footballers
- Dutch people of Spanish descent
- Dutch people of Indonesian descent
- Sportspeople of Indonesian descent
- Dutch people of Belgian descent
- Men's association football midfielders
- SC Victoria Hamburg players
- Esbjerg fB players
- AFC Ajax players
- Dutch expatriate men's footballers
- Expatriate men's footballers in Germany
- Dutch expatriate sportspeople in Germany
- Expatriate men's footballers in Denmark
- Dutch expatriate sportspeople in Denmark