Georginio Wijnaldum

Georginio Wijnaldum

Wijnaldum with Netherlands in 2016
Personal information
Full name Georginio Gregion Emile Wijnaldum[1]
Date of birth (1990-11-11) 11 November 1990
Place of birth Rotterdam, Netherlands
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)[2]
Playing position Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Liverpool
Number 5
Youth career
1997–2004 Sparta Rotterdam
2004–2007 Feyenoord
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007–2011 Feyenoord 111 (23)
2011–2015 PSV 109 (40)
2015–2016 Newcastle United 38 (11)
2016– Liverpool 36 (6)
National team‡
2005–2007 Netherlands U17 15 (4)
2007–2009 Netherlands U19 17 (5)
2009–2013 Netherlands U21 24 (10)
2011– Netherlands 40 (8)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 20:58, 21 May 2017 (UTC).
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 9 June 2017

Georginio Gregion Emile "Gini" Wijnaldum (Dutch pronunciation: [d͡ʒɔrˈd͡ʒiɲoː ʋɛiˈnɑldɵm]; born 11 November 1990) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Premier League club Liverpool and the Netherlands national team.

A youth product of Eredivisie side Feyenoord, he became the youngest player ever to represent the club when he made his debut in 2007, and went on to play 134 matches over the course of a five-year spell. Following his departure from Feyenoord, Wijnaldum then spent four seasons at PSV Eindhoven where he won the KNVB Cup in the first season and the Eredivisie in the last. He also earned the Dutch Footballer of the Year award during his time in Eindhoven. In 2015, Wijnaldum joined Premier League side Newcastle United for £14.5 million, before departing following the club's relegation a year later to join Liverpool in a £23 million deal.

Wijnaldum is also a full Dutch international, having earned more than 30 caps since making his debut in 2011, and was a member of the squad which came third at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Early life

Georginio Wijnaldum was born and raised in Rotterdam, South Holland.[3] When he was six years old his parents, who are both of Afro-Surinamese descent, went through a divorce with the result that his mother moved to Amsterdam.[3][4] Wijnaldum, however, decided to stay in Rotterdam and moved in with his grandmother where he lived for the remainder of his childhood.[5]

In Wijnaldum's younger years he never showed interest in football. He never played with a ball or watched football on TV. His ambition was to become a gymnast or acrobat. This changed when Wijnaldum's nephew asked him to come to Sparta Rotterdam's opening day with him; then he got invited to the Sparta Rotterdam youth academy and his love for football started to grow slowly.[6]

Wijnaldum has two younger brothers, one of whom, Giliano Wijnaldum currently plays for Philadelphia Union, as well as a half-brother, Rajiv van La Parra, who currently plays for Huddersfield Town.[7] Wijnaldum was formerly known as Georginio Boateng, but following his mother's divorce, he took her maiden name (Wijnaldum).[8]

Club career

Early career

At the age of six, Wijnaldum developed himself rapidly at Sparta Rotterdam, winning two championship titles in his first two seasons. Soon Ajax, PSV and Feyenoord showed interest in the youngster, but Wijnaldum declined all offers: "I didn't watch football on TV and I didn't know any of the first team players of Sparta or any of the top clubs. I only knew the real famous players of Oranje, so the offers didn't impress me much. I had a good time at Sparta, I wanted to stay." After playing for Sparta Rotterdam for seven seasons and representing the Netherlands at various youth levels, Wijnaldum decided to accept a new Feyenoord offer. He was convinced playing for Feyenoord was better for his development as a football player and believed in Feyenoord's vision.[6]

At Feyenoord, Wijnaldum joined a successful generation with the likes of Leroy Fer and Luís Pedro. Wijnaldum stood out as an exceptional talent. In January 2007, a few weeks after turning 16, Wijnaldum was invited to the first team's training camp in Belek, Turkey, by Feyenoord manager Erwin Koeman.[9]

Feyenoord

Wijnaldum with Feyenoord in 2007

On 8 April 2007, Wijnaldum made his official debut in Feyenoord's starting line-up in the Eredivisie home match against FC Groningen (0–4).[10] At the age of 16 and 148 days, Wijnaldum became the youngest player ever to play in Feyenoord's first team and was chosen Feyenoord's man of the match. On 2 December 2007, Wijnaldum scored his first Eredivisie goal for Feyenoord against Heracles Almelo in a 6–0 home win.[11]

In the season 2008–09 Wijnaldum made his official European debut. On 18 September 2008, Wijnaldum was named in the starting line-up in the UEFA Cup home match against Kalmar FF (0–1).[12] On 2 October 2008, Wijnaldum scored his first European goal for Feyenoord in the return match against Kalmar FF, which resulted in a 1–2 win and a place in the group stage.[13]

On 6 March 2009, Wijnaldum signed a new contract at Feyenoord which keeps him in de Kuip until summer 2012.[14] On 27 February 2011 Wijnaldum helped his struggling Feyenoord to a 5–1 demolition of FC Groningen, scoring four goals. He scored two goals from open play in the first half and two more from the penalty spot to add his total for the season to 8 goals.[15]

PSV

Wijnaldum playing for PSV in 2015

On 29 June 2011 the technical director of Feyenoord announced that they had reached a transfer deal for Wijnaldum reported to be worth €5 million with PSV Eindhoven.[16] On the opening day of Eredivisie 2011/12 season, Wijnaldum made his debut for PSV in a 3–1 loss against AZ.[17] On 21 August 2011, Wijnaldum scored his first goal for PSV in a 3–0 victory against ADO Den Haag. Since joining the club, Wijnaldum established himself in the starting eleven as he scores goals and develops assists from his attacking role in midfield in Eredivisie, KNVB Beker and Europa League. After the retirement of Mark van Bommel and the departure of Kevin Strootman in the summer of 2013, Wijnaldum was named PSV's captain for the 2013–14 Eredivisie season. In that year he just played 11 matches (4 goals) due to a back injury. For the 2014–15 Eredivisie season Wijnaldum returned to full fitness and captained PSV to their first title since 2008.

Newcastle United

On 11 July 2015, Wijnaldum joined Newcastle United on a five-year contract, for a reported transfer fee of £14.5 million, making him the most expensive signing of Mike Ashley's ownership.[18] He made his debut on 9 August as Newcastle began the season with a 2–2 home draw against Southampton, heading in a goal from Gabriel Obertan's cross.[19] He would score his second Newcastle United goal in a 2–2 draw with Chelsea on 26 September.[20] On 18 October, Wijnaldum scored four goals in a 6–2 home win over Norwich City,[21] becoming only the second Newcastle player to score more than three goals in a Premier League game.[22] Wijnaldum was considered the player of the match in a game against Liverpool when he forced Martin Škrtel into an own goal as well as scoring himself in a 2–0 win.[23] He scored against Manchester United in a 3–3 draw on January 12,[24] and again four days later in a 2–1 win against West Ham[25] and later scored twice against Tottenham in a 5–1 win on the final day of the season, finishing the season as relegated Newcastle's top goalscorer.[26]

Liverpool

Wijnaldum playing for Liverpool in 2016

On 22 July 2016, Wijnaldum returned to the Premier League, signing for Liverpool on a five-year contract, for an initial £23 million with a further £2 million in conditional add-ons. He was handed the number 5 shirt.[27][28] He made his Premier League debut against Arsenal on 14 August 2016 where he played 80 minutes and provided an assist for Adam Lallana before being replaced by Kevin Stewart.[29] He scored his first goal for the club in a 6–1 thrashing of Watford on 6 November 2016. [30] On 31 December 2016 he scored the only goal with a powerful header in Liverpool's 1–0 win over Manchester City to take them four points clear in second. He was praised highly for his goal.[31] Wijnaldum sealed Liverpool's 3–1 win over Arsenal on 4 March 2017 with a close-range finish in stoppage time.[32] In the final game of the 2016–17 season, with Liverpool needing a win over Middlesbrough to secure a top-4 finish and Champions League berth, Wijnaldum opened the scoring with a first-half stoppage time goal. Liverpool won the match 3–0.[33]

International career

Youth

Wijnaldum (right) with Jonathan de Guzmán during international training in March 2015

Wijnaldum was one of the key players of the Netherlands U17 on the 2007 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship in Belgium. The team finished third in their group behind England and Belgium, failing to qualify for the knock-out stage. Quickly after the 2007 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship, Wijnaldum got selected for the Netherlands U19. Despite excellent individual performances, the team underachieved and failed to qualify for the 2008 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship in Czech Republic and 2009 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship in Ukraine.

On 12 November 2008, the young midfielder got invited to the Netherlands B by manager Johan Neeskens. Wijnaldum had to deny the invitation due to an injury.[34]

Wijnaldum had to deny his first Netherlands U21 invitation on 9 August 2009.[35] Wijnaldum received an invitation for the friendly match against England U21 by manager Cor Pot.[36] Wijnaldum made his official Netherlands U21 debut on 4 September 2009, in the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship qualification match against Finland U21 (2–0).

Senior

On 30 May 2011, Wijnaldum was named in the Netherlands squad for friendlies against Brazil and Uruguay, but was not selected in either match.[37] He made his international debut in the match against San Marino on 2 September 2011, appearing as a substitute in the 86th minute and promptly scoring the final goal in an 11–0 win.[38]

Wijnaldum was a member of the Netherlands squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and scored his second goal for the nation in a 3–0 win against Brazil in the third-place play-off.[39]

Career statistics

Club

As of 21 May 2017
Club Season League Cup League Cup Europe Other Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Feyenoord 2006–07 3000—00—30
2007–08 10120—00—121
2008–09 33430—6130455
2009–10 31471———385
2010–11 341410—20—3714
Total 11123131—813013425
PSV 2011–12 32862—124—5014
2012–13 331461—54114520
2013–14 11400—40—154
2014–15 331432—62—4218
Total 10940155—27101115256
Newcastle United 2015–16 38111010——4011
Total 38111010——4011
Liverpool 2016–17 3661050——426
Total 36610500000426
Total 292803066035114136698

International goals

As of match played 9 June 2017. Scores and results list Netherlands' goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Wijnaldum goal.[40]
International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competition
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
1 2 September 2011Philips Stadion, Eindhoven, Netherlands1 San Marino11–011–0UEFA Euro 2012 qualification
2 12 July 2014Estádio Nacional Mané Garrincha, Brasília, Brazil12 Brazil3–03–02014 FIFA World Cup
3 12 June 2015Skonto Stadium, Riga, Latvia20 Latvia1–02–0UEFA Euro 2016 qualification
4 10 October 2015Astana Arena, Astana, Kazakhstan23 Kazakhstan1–02–1UEFA Euro 2016 qualification
5 1 June 2016Stadion Energa Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland29 Poland2–12–1Friendly
6 4 June 2016Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna, Austria30 Austria2–02–0Friendly
7 1 September 2016Philips Stadion, Eindhoven, Netherlands31 Greece1–01–2Friendly
8 9 June 2017De Kuip, Rotterdam, Netherlands40 Luxembourg3–05–02018 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Club

Feyenoord
PSV Eindhoven

International

Netherlands

Individual

References

  1. ↑ "2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil: List of Players" (PDF). FIFA. 11 June 2014. p. 26. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  2. ↑ "Georginio Wijnaldum profile". Premier League. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
  3. 1 2 Sian Parry (2 March 2011). "Liverpool transfer target Georginio Wijnaldum: 10 things you need to know!". talksport.co.uk, Talksport.
  4. ↑ "‘I’m not a Ghanaian; Boateng was the name of my step father,’ PSV’s Georginio Wijnaldum - Goal.com". 15 May 2013.
  5. ↑ "10 things you need to know about Georginio Wijnaldum". mirrorfootball.co.uk, Daily Mirror. 8 April 2010.
  6. 1 2 "Georginio Wijnaldum". Kameraadjes (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 8 September 2009. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
  7. ↑ "Spotlight on Georginio Wijnaldum: Newcastle's new Dutch delight - Football Oranje". 12 July 2015.
  8. ↑ "'Goed ventje' laat zich niet gek maken" ['Good boy' won't be caught with his head in the clouds]. AD (in Dutch). 7 November 2008. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
  9. ↑ "Talent in Turkije (4): Georginio Wijnaldum" [Talent in Turkey (4): Georginio Wijnaldum]. Feyenoord.nl (in Dutch). 12 January 2007. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
  10. ↑ "Mokerslag in de Kuip: 0–4" [Slam dunk in de Kuip: 0–4]. Feyenoord.nl (in Dutch). 8 April 2007. Archived from the original on 13 August 2012. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
  11. ↑ "Swingend en glibberend voorbij Heracles: 6–0" [Swinging and slipping past Heracles: 6–0]. Feyenoord.nl (in Dutch). 2 December 2007. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
  12. ↑ "Teleurstellende rentree op Europees podium" [Disappointing comeback on European stage]. Feyenoord.nl (in Dutch). 18 September 2008. Archived from the original on 8 March 2012. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
  13. ↑ "Feyenoord naar groepsfase UEFA Cup" [Feyenoord to group stage UEFA Cup]. Feyenoord.nl (in Dutch). 2 October 2008. Archived from the original on 13 August 2012. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
  14. ↑ "Feyenoord verlengt contract Wijnaldum" [Feyenoord renews contract Wijnaldum]. Feyenoord.nl (in Dutch). 6 March 2009. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
  15. ↑ Match: Feyenoord Rotterdam v FC Groningen – Dutch Eredivisie – ESPN FC. Soccernet.espn.go.com (27 February 2011). Retrieved on 2013-08-02.
  16. ↑ 'Ik had Wijnaldum liever aan buitenlandse club verkocht'. Voetbalzone.nl. Retrieved on 2 August 2013.
  17. ↑ "Report: AZ Alkmaar vs PSV Eindhoven". ESPN Soccernet. 7 August 2011. Retrieved 11 March 2012.
  18. ↑ "Newcastle United: Georginio Wijnaldum seals five-year deal". BBC Sport. 11 July 2015.
  19. ↑ Davis, Matt (9 August 2015). "Newcastle 2–2 Southampton". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
  20. ↑ Olsen, Connor (26 September 2015). "Newcastle 2–2 Chelsea". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  21. ↑ "Newcastle United 6–2 Norwich City". BBC Sport. 18 October 2015. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  22. ↑ "Steve McClaren: Boss has had 'enormous' support from Newcastle". BBC Sport. 18 October 2015. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
  23. ↑ "Newcastle beat Liverpool as Georginio Wijnaldum is the star of the show". ESPN.com. 6 December 2015. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  24. ↑ Dawkes, Phil (12 January 2016). "Newcastle United 3–3 Manchester United". BBC Sport.
  25. ↑ Sanghera, Mandeep (16 January 2016). "Newcastle United 2–1 West Ham United". BBC Sport.
  26. ↑ Chowdhury, Saj (15 May 2016). "Newcastle United 5–1 Tottenham Hotspur". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  27. ↑ "Liverpool complete Georginio Wijnaldum capture". Liverpool F.C. 23 July 2016.
  28. ↑ "Georginio Wijnaldum: Liverpool sign midfielder from Newcastle for £25m". Retrieved 2016-07-22.
  29. ↑ "Liverpool and Coutinho stun stuttering Arsenal in seven-goal thriller". Guardian. 14 August 2016. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
  30. ↑ "Liverpool 6–1 Watford full-time report – Joy of six as Reds romp to Premier League summit". www.liverpoolecho.co.uk. 6 November 2016. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  31. ↑ McNulty, Phil (31 December 2016). "Liverpool 1–0 Manchester City: Liverpool maintained their pursuit of Premier League leaders Chelsea as they moved to within six points of the pacesetters with victory over Manchester City at Anfield". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
  32. ↑ McNulty, Phil (4 March 2017). "Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal". BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 April 2017.
  33. ↑ Usher, Dave (22 May 2017). "Wijnaldum, Coutinho and Lallana send Liverpool to Champions League". ESPN FC. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  34. ↑ "Wijnaldum en Fer niet naar Nederland B" [Wijnaldum and Fer won't go to Netherlands B]. Feyenoord.nl (in Dutch). 17 November 2008. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
  35. ↑ "Wijnaldum meldt zich af voor Jong Oranje" [Wijnaldum logs off for Jong Oranje]. Feyenoord.nl (in Dutch). 9 August 2009. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
  36. ↑ "Biseswar, Wijnaldum en Fer in voorselectie Jong Oranje" [Biseswar, Wijnaldum and Fer in pre-selection Jong Oranje]. Feyenoord.nl (in Dutch). 29 July 2009. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
  37. ↑ Wijnaldum vervangt Sneijder bij het Nederlands elftal. nieuwslog.nl (30 May 2011)
  38. ↑ "San Marino on the end of record Netherlands win". UEFA. 2 September 2011. Retrieved 23 June 2014.
  39. ↑ "Brazil 0–3 Netherlands". BBC. 12 July 2014. Retrieved 13 July 2014.
  40. ↑ Georginio Wijnaldum at Soccerway
  41. ↑ "PSV vs. Heracles – 8 April 2012 – Soccerway".
  42. 1 2 Smith, Matt (9 March 2016). "Where are they now? Dutch Footballer of the Year award winners of the last 10 years". Squawka. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  43. ↑ "2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil: Brazil-Netherlands". FIFA. 12 July 2014. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
  44. ↑ "Wijnaldum Rotterdams sporttalent". Feyenoord.nl (in Dutch). 19 December 2007. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
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