Arjan de Zeeuw

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Personal information
Arjan de Zeeuw
Full name	Adrianus de Zeeuw
Date of birth	April 16, 1970 (1970-04-16) (age 38)
Place of birth	Castricum, Netherlands
Height	1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Playing position	Centre Back
Senior clubs¹
Years	Club	App (Gls)*
1992–1995 1995-1999 1999-2002 2002-2005 2005-2007 2007-2008	Stormvogels Telstar Barnsley Wigan Athletic Portsmouth Wigan Athletic Coventry City	102 (5) 138 (7) 126 (6) 106 (5) 052 (0) 017 (0)
¹ Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 09:26, 25 February 2008 (UTC). * Appearances (Goals)

Adrianus "Arjan" de Zeeuw (born April 16, 1970 in Castricum) is a Dutch footballer. He is a centre-back, and is currently without a club after his contract with English Championship side Coventry City was not renewed.

[edit] Playing career

De Zeeuw played for Dutch club Telstar before moving to English club Barnsley in a £250,000 deal for the 1995/96 season. Despite the club being relegated de Zeeuw proved to be a consistent performer, and when his contract expired at the end of the 1998/99 season he moved to Wigan Athletic. He soon became a vital team member, proving to be highly dependable at the back.

His contract at Wigan expired in the summer of 2002, and the following season he moved on a free transfer to Portsmouth. He was an integral part of the Portsmouth squad that claimed the First Division championship.

He continued to perform to high standards as Portsmouth played well in their debut FA Premier League season, and was recognised by the fans who voted him Portsmouth Player of the Year. He was rewarded with the captaincy for the 2004/05 season following Teddy Sheringham's departure to West Ham United, and led the team to stave off relegation following the departure of manager Harry Redknapp.

In the summer of 2005, after falling out with then-Portsmouth manager Alain Perrin, he returned to Wigan Athletic for the nominal fee of £90,000. de Zeeuw, who is now advanced in years for the life of a footballer, wanted the guarantee of first-team football which Perrin was unwilling to provide. The majority of Portsmouth supporters lamented this decision and loss of their former captain, who had a very consistent season with Wigan at the heart of their defense, helping them to a better-than-expected mid-table finish and even received praise from then Prime Minister Tony Blair.^[1]

He has a degree in medical science and became a professional football player quite late in life, after he completed his degree. He is planning to go into sports medicine when his football career is over.

De Zeeuw is considered by many to be an excellent example of professionalism in the modern game.^{[citation needed]} He refused to retaliate after Bolton's El Hadji Diouf spat in his face during a match at the Reebok Stadium in November of 2004.^[2] His response was to score the winning goal in Portsmouth's 1-0 victory.

In Wigan's second Premiership season he struggled to get a regular first team place due to a series of injuries and was released by the club on 17 May 2007.

In a poll to celebrate the centenary of the Professional Footballer's Association fans voted De Zeeuw to be the best player of all time of Wigan Athletic.

In June 2007 it was announced that de Zeeuw had signed a one-year contract with Coventry City. During pre-season training a freak accident left the defender sidelined for 6-8 weeks. He made his debut for Coventry against Bristol City on the 15th September 2007.^[3]

It was annouced towards the end of the 2007/2008 season that De Zeeuw would be one of eight first team players whose contracts wouldnt be renewed. His season was hampered by injury and lack of form leading to new manager Chris Coleman decided he was surplsu to requirements.