Georginio Wijnaldum

Georginio Wijnaldum

Wijnaldum with PSV
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
 Newcastle United
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 (41)
2015– Newcastle United 31 (9)
National team‡
2005–2007 Netherlands U17 15 (4)
2007–2009 Netherlands U19 17 (5)
2009–2013 Netherlands U21 24 (10)
2011– Netherlands 27 (4)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 2 April 2016.
† Appearances (goals)

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 6 December 2015

Georginio Gregion Emile Wijnaldum (Dutch pronunciation: [ʒɔrˈʒiɲoː ʋɛiˈnɑldɵm]; born 11 November 1990) is a Dutch footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for English club Newcastle United and the Netherlands national team.

A youth product of Feyenoord, he made his professional debut in 2007 as the youngest player ever to represent the club, and played 134 matches for them in a five-year period. He also played four seasons at PSV Eindhoven, winning the KNVB Cup in the first and the Eredivisie in the last.

A full international with over 20 caps since 2011, Wijnaldium was a member of the Dutch squad which came third at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Early life

Georginio Wijnaldum was born and raised in Rotterdam, South Holland.[3] At the age of six his parents divorced and his mother moved to Amsterdam.[3] Wijnaldum decided to stay in Rotterdam and moved in with his grandmother, where he lived the remaining part of his childhood.[4] Both his parents are of Afro-Surinamese descent.[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 is currently playing for VfL Bochum.[7] Wijnaldum was formerly known as "Georginio Boateng," but following his mother's divorce he took her maiden name "Wijnaldum."[4][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.

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.

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. The game was just Newcastle's third win of the season.[23]

International career

Youth

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.[24]

Wijnaldum (right) battles Jonathan de Guzmán for the ball during international training in March 2015.

Wijnaldum had to deny his first Netherlands U21 invitation on 9 August 2009.[25] Wijnaldum received an invitation for the friendly match against England U21 by manager Cor Pot.[26] 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.[27] 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.[28]

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.[29]

Career statistics

Club

As of 2 April 2016[30]
Club Season League Cup Europe Total
Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists
Feyenoord 2006–07 300------300
2007–08 1010200---1210
2008–09 33454037104458
2009–10 3142710---3852
2010–11 3414110020037141
Total 11123814139101342511
PSV 2011–12 3287621124150149
2012–13 3314572354045208
2013–14 11400004011541
2014–15 3314332162142185
Total 10940151665271031525623
Newcastle United 2015–16 31942000003394
Total 31942000003394
Career total 25172273278361133199038

1 Includes UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League matches.

2 Includes the Eredivisie playoffs matches.

International goals

Scores and results list the Netherlands' goal tally first.[31][32]
Goal Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 2 September 2011 Philips Stadion, Eindhoven  San Marino 11–0 11–0 UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying
2. 12 July 2014 Estádio Nacional Mané Garrincha, Brasília, Brazil  Brazil 3–0 3–0 2014 FIFA World Cup
3. 12 June 2015 Skonto Stadium, Riga, Latvia  Latvia 1–0 2–0 UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying
4. 10 October 2015 Astana Arena, Astana, Kazakhstan  Kazakhstan
1–0
2–1
 UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying

Honours

Club

Feyenoord
PSV Eindhoven

International

Netherlands

Individual

References

  1. ↑ "2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil: List of Players" (PDF). FIFA. 11 June 2014. p. 25. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  2. ↑ "Player Profile Georginio Wijnaldum". http://www.premierleague.com. Barclays Premier League. 2016. Retrieved 18 January 2016. External link in |website= (help)
  3. 1 2 Sian Parry (2 March 2011). "Liverpool transfer target Georginio Wijnaldum: 10 things you need to know!". talksport.co.uk, Talksport.
  4. 1 2 "10 things you need to know about Georginio Wijnaldum". mirrorfootball.co.uk, Daily Mirror. 8 April 2010.
  5. ↑ http://www.goal.com/en-gh/news/4389/ghana/2013/05/15/3980540/im-not-a-ghanaian-boateng-was-the-name-of-my-step-father
  6. 1 2 "Georginio Wijnaldum". Kameraadjes (in Dutch). Retrieved 6 October 2009.
  7. ↑ "Giliano Wijnaldum" (in German). kicker. Retrieved 15 June 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. 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. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
  12. ↑ "Teleurstellende rentree op Europees podium" [Disappointing comeback on European stage]. Feyenoord.nl (in Dutch). 18 September 2008. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
  13. ↑ "Feyenoord naar groepsfase UEFA Cup" [Feyenoord to group stage UEFA Cup]. Feyenoord.nl (in Dutch). 2 October 2008. 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". PA Sport (ESPN.com). 6 December 2015. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  24. ↑ "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.
  25. ↑ "Wijnaldum meldt zich af voor Jong Oranje" [Wijnaldum logs off for Jong Oranje]. Feyenoord.nl (in Dutch). 9 August 2009. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
  26. ↑ "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.
  27. ↑ Wijnaldum vervangt Sneijder bij het Nederlands elftal. nieuwslog.nl (30 May 2011)
  28. ↑ "San Marino on the end of record Netherlands win". UEFA. 2 September 2011. Retrieved 23 June 2014.
  29. ↑ "Brazil 0–3 Netherlands". BBC. 12 July 2014. Retrieved 13 July 2014.
  30. ↑ "Lex Immers – Voetbal International profile". Voetbal International.
  31. ↑ Georginio Wijnaldum profile at Soccerway
  32. ↑ Georginio Wijnaldum at National-Football-Teams.com
  33. ↑ http://www.soccerway.com/matches/2012/04/08/netherlands/knvb-beker/psv-nv/stichting-heracles-almelo/1254876/
  34. ↑ "2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil: Brazil-Netherlands". FIFA. 12 July 2014. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
  35. ↑ "Wijnaldum Rotterdams sporttalent". Feyenoord.nl (in Dutch). 19 December 2007. Retrieved 6 October 2009.

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