Davy Klaassen

Davy Klaassen (born 21 February 1993) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays for Eredivisie club Ajax and the Netherlands national team. He is usually deployed as an midfielder for both club and country.[3]

Davy Klaassen
Klaassen with Werder Bremen in 2019
Personal information
Full name Davy Klaassen[1]
Date of birth (1993-02-21) 21 February 1993
Place of birth Hilversum, Netherlands
Height 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)[2]
Position(s) Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Ajax
Number 6
Youth career
1999–2003 HVV de Zebra's
2003–2004 HSV Wasmeer
2004–2012 Ajax
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2017 Ajax 126 (44)
2013 Jong Ajax 6 (1)
2017–2018 Everton 7 (0)
2018–2020 Werder Bremen 69 (12)
2020– Ajax 16 (7)
National team‡
2008–2009 Netherlands U16 5 (4)
2009–2010 Netherlands U17 11 (1)
2010–2011 Netherlands U19 9 (2)
2013 Netherlands U21 4 (0)
2014– Netherlands 19 (4)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 31 January 2021
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 18 November 2020

Club career

Early career

Klaassen began his football career in the youth ranks of local amateur side HVV de Zebra's, where he played until 2003, when he transferred to HSV Wasmeer. A year later he was recruited into the famed Ajax Youth Academy. While playing for the Ajax A1 youth squad in 2011–12, Klaassen helped his side to win the Nike Eredivisie league title,[4] as well as finishing as runners-up to Inter Milan in the NextGen Series (the Champions League equivalent for under-19 teams) after losing on penalties (5–3) following a 1–1 deadlock after extra time.[5]

Ajax

Klaassen made his debut for the first team in the UEFA Champions League group stage away draw (0–0) against Olympique Lyonnais on 22 November 2011 replacing Lorenzo Ebecilio in the 85th minute.[6] While still competing in the A-Juniors Nike Eredivisie league competing for the Ajax A1 under-19 squad, he made his Eredivisie debut on 27 November as a substitute against NEC and scored only 42 seconds after having been subbed on.[7] He made his debut in the starting XI of the Ajax first team on 11 December 2011, due to starting center midfielder Theo Janssen catching the flu. Klaassen played the entire match which ended in a 0–1 away win for Ajax against RKC Waalwijk.[8]

On 5 August 2013, Klaassen made his debut in the Dutch Eerste Divisie in the 2–0 win against Telstar while playing for the newly promoted reserves team Jong Ajax, in what would be the first match in the 2nd tier of professional football ever for the reserves.[9] He scored his first goal for Jong Ajax on 20 September 2013 in the 1–2 away victory against FC Eindhoven.[10] On 6 October 2013, while playing for the Ajax first team, he scored his team's second goal in the 59th minute in the 3–0 home win against FC Utrecht.[11] On 7 December 2013, Klaassen scored his first hat-trick while playing for the first team, in a 4–0 victory at home over NAC Breda, taking home the match ball and earning himself the Man of the Match award.[12] Following the departure of Ajax captain Siem de Jong, Klaassen switched to the vacant number 10 shirt for the upcoming season.

For the 2015–16 season, Klaassen was named Ajax' captain, replacing the departed Niklas Moisander.[13]

Everton

On 15 June 2017, Klaassen signed for Premier League side Everton on a five-year deal worth £23.6 million.[14] He was handed the number 20 jersey at his new club for the 2017–18 season.[15] He made his first official appearance for Everton in a 1–0 win over MFK Ružomberok in the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round first leg.[16] Klaassen made his league debut for Everton on 12 August 2017, when his club beat Stoke City 1–0 at Goodison Park.[17]

Werder Bremen

On 27 July 2018, Klaassen joined Werder Bremen on a four-year deal while the transfer fee paid to Everton was reported as €13.5 million (£12 million).[18][19]

Return to Ajax

On 5 October 2020, Klaassen rejoined Ajax on a contract until 30 June 2024, with a transfer fee which could rise to €14 million.[20]

International career

Youth

Klaassen made his debut for the Dutch national team at youth levels, debuting for the Netherlands U-16 team on 28 October 2008 in the 10th edition of the Tournoi Val de Marne '08 in the 3–0 victory over Italy U-16, while scoring the second goal for the Netherlands in his first international encounter.[21] Klaassen scored in his second appearance for the Netherlands U-16 in the same tournament as well in 0–1 win over France U-16.[22] In total Klaassen made 5 appearances for the Netherlands U-16 while scoring 4 goals.[23] Scoring two more goals in friendly encounters against Ukraine U-16 and Ireland U-16 as well.[24] On 22 September 2009, Klaassen made his first appearance for the Netherlands U17 team in a friendly encounter against France U17 which ended in a 1–0 loss for the Dutch. On 3 March 2010, he scored his first goal for the under-17 side in his 8th appearance, a friendly match against Greece U17.[25] He also played a major role in the Netherlands qualifying campaign ahead of the 2010 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship as well as playing in the 2009 edition of La Manga Cup. On 2 September 2010, Klaassen made his debut for the Netherlands U19 team in a friendly match against Germany U19 which ended in a 2–2 draw. In his 7th appearance for the under-19 side he scored both his first and second goal on 10 November 2011 in a qualification match ahead of the 2012 UEFA European Under-19 Championship against Moldova U19 with the Netherlands failing to qualify for the final tournament in Estonia.[26]

Due to injuries sustained by Ruben Ligeon, Yassin Ayoub and Jürgen Locadia for the Netherlands U21 selection, Klaassen received his first call-up for Jong Oranje the under-21 selection of the Netherlands as a replacement along with Thomas Bruns and Timo Letschert for the 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship qualification match against Georgia U21, as well as the friendly match against Austria U21 four days later.[27] He made his debut for the under-21 side on 10 October 2013 in that qualification match helping the Dutch to defeat Georgia 6–0 in which he replaced Luc Castaignos in the 81st minute of the match.[28]

Senior

On 5 March 2014, Klaassen made his debut for the Netherlands first team under head coach Louis van Gaal at the Stade de France in Paris, in a friendly match against France ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He was substituted on in the 72nd minute for Wesley Sneijder, as the Netherlands lost the match 2–0 to the French.[29] While making his debut for the Netherlands, Klaassen became the 100th Ajax player in the history of the club to make his debut for the Dutch national team while playing his club football at Ajax.[30]

On 31 March 2015, Klaassen scored his first international goal and the team's second goal in a 2–0 win over Spain in a friendly match.[31]

Style of play

Klaassen's nickname is "cheese straw" (Dutch: kaasstengel) due to his physical appearance.[32] On the signing of the former Ajax captain, Everton manager Ronald Koeman was quoted saying Klaassen was a leader on the pitch. Koeman further described Klaassen's playing style as hardworking, liked to press and would provide creativity and goals.[33]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 28 January 2021.[3]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Ajax 2011–12 Eredivisie 4100—3[lower-alpha 1]00071
2012–13 Eredivisie 2000—001[lower-alpha 2]030
2013–14 Eredivisie 261050—5[lower-alpha 3]1003611
2014–15 Eredivisie 30630—10[lower-alpha 4]21[lower-alpha 2]0448
2015–16 Eredivisie 311300—10[lower-alpha 5]2004115
2016–17 Eredivisie 331400—17[lower-alpha 6]6005020
Total 1264480—45112018155
Jong Ajax 2013–14 Eerste Divisie 61————61
Everton 2017–18 Premier League 7000108[lower-alpha 7]0—160
Werder Bremen 2018–19 Bundesliga 33552———387
2019–20 Bundesliga 33742——2[lower-alpha 8]0399
2020–21 Bundesliga 3010———40
Total 6912104——208116
Ajax 2020–21 Eredivisie 15620—6[lower-alpha 9]0—236
Career total 223632041059114030778
  1. Two appearances in the UEFA Champions League, one appearance in the UEFA Europa League
  2. Appearance in the Johan Cruyff Shield
  3. Three appearances and one goal in the UEFA Champions League, two appearances in the UEFA Europa League
  4. Six appearances and two goals in the UEFA Champions League, four appearances in the UEFA Europa League
  5. Two appearances and two goals in the UEFA Champions League, eight appearances in the UEFA Europa League
  6. Four appearances and four goals in the UEFA Champions League, thirteen appearances and two goals in the UEFA Europa League
  7. Appearance(s) in the UEFA Europa League
  8. Appearance(s) in the Bundesliga relegation play-offs
  9. Appearance(s) in the UEFA Champions League

International
As of match played 18 November 2020.[34]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Netherlands 201410
201531
201672
201751
202030
Total194

International goals
Scores and results list the Netherlands' goal tally first.
Goal Date Venue Opponent Score Result CompetitionRef
1.31 March 2015Amsterdam Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands Spain2–02–0Friendly
2.7 October 2016De Kuip, Rotterdam, Netherlands Belarus3–14–12018 FIFA World Cup qualification
3.9 November 2016Amsterdam Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands Belgium1–01–1Friendly
4.4 June 2017De Kuip, Rotterdam, Netherlands Ivory Coast4–05–0

Honours

Club

Ajax[3]

Individual

References
  1. "Squads for 2017/18 Premier League confirmed". Premier League. 1 September 2017. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
  2. "Davy Klaassen". Ajax.nl. Retrieved 20 February 2017.
  3. "D. Klaassen". Soccerway. Retrieved 4 November 2013.
  4. "Beste Spelers Nike A-junioren Eredivisie seizoen 2011/'12" (PDF). Nikefootball.com. 26 January 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
  5. "Ajax A1 verliest finale van NextGen Series van Inter Milan". Voetbal Centraal. 25 March 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
  6. "Klaassen belt Ajax-nieuws aan opa door". Ajax.nl. Retrieved 4 November 2013.
  7. "Aissati en Klaassen mee naar NEC". Ajax.nl. Retrieved 4 November 2013.
  8. "Ajax met Klaassen tegen RKC Waalwijk". NU.nl. Retrieved 4 November 2013.
  9. "Jong Ajax 2–0 Telstar". Soccerway. Retrieved 4 November 2013.
  10. "FC Eindhoven 1–2 Jong Ajax". Soccerway. Retrieved 4 November 2013.
  11. "Ajax 3–0 FC Utrecht". Soccerway. Retrieved 4 November 2013.
  12. "Ajax met fantastische Klaassen langs NAC". Ajax Showtime. Retrieved 7 December 2013.
  13. "Klaassen volgt Moisander op als aanvoerder Ajax". Voetbal International. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  14. McNulty, Phil (15 June 2017). "Davy Klaassen: Everton complete £23.6m signing of Ajax midfielder and captain". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
  15. "Everton Squad Numbers Announced For 2017/18". Everton F.C. 11 July 2017. Archived from the original on 13 July 2017. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  16. Rostance, Tom (27 July 2017). "Baines gives Everton Europa lead on Rooney return". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
  17. "Everton 1–0 Stoke City". BBC Sport. 12 August 2017. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  18. "Davy Klaassen: Everton midfielder joins Werder Bremen". BBC Sport. 27 July 2018. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  19. ""Absoluter Wunschspieler": Werder verpflichtet Klaassen". Kicker. 27 July 2018. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  20. "Davy Klaassen keert terug bij Ajax". Ajax (in Dutch). 5 October 2020.
  21. "Oranje onder 16 start sterk op Val de Marne Tournoi". AZJeugd.nl. Retrieved 4 November 2013.
  22. "Oranje onder 16, verslaat ook Frankrijk (1–0)". AZJeugd.nl. Retrieved 4 November 2013.
  23. "Davy Klaassen in Oranje". Wasmeer.nl. Retrieved 4 November 2013.
  24. "Davy Klaassen Onder-16 Statistieken". OnsOranje.nl. Retrieved 4 November 2013.
  25. "Onder 17 simpel langs Grieken". OnsOranje.nl. Archived from the original on 5 November 2013. Retrieved 4 November 2013.
  26. "Klaassen: 'Karwei afmaken'". OnsOranje.nl. Archived from the original on 5 November 2013. Retrieved 4 November 2013.
  27. "Zege Jong Oranje, debuut Klaassen". Ajax.nl. Retrieved 4 November 2013.
  28. "Bruns, Klaassen en Letschert bij JO". OnsOranje.nl. Archived from the original on 5 November 2013. Retrieved 4 November 2013.
  29. "France vs Netherlands 2–0". Soccerway. Retrieved 5 April 2014.
  30. "Honderdste Ajax-debutant ontvangt applaus". Ajax Showtime. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
  31. "Netherlands 2–0 Spain: Rejuvenated Dutch ease pressure on Hiddink". Goal.com. 31 March 2015. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  32. Olives-Berthet, Cyril (24 May 2017). "Ligue Europa : L'Ajax Amsterdam et ses quatre ténors". L'Équipe. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
  33. Kirkbride-, Phil (16 June 2017). "Everton boss Ronald Koeman explains Davy Klaassen signing after midfielder joins Blues". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  34. "Klaassen, Davy". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmerman.
  35. "2016/17: United win it for Manchester". UEFA. 30 May 2017.
  36. "Bayern opnieuw bij AEGON Future Cup". Ajax.nl. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
  37. "Klaassen: Talent van de Toekomst". Ajax.nl. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
  38. "Ajacied Davy Klaassen Hilversumse sportman van het jaar". Het Parool. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
  39. "Davy Klaassen: Ajax Talent van het Jaar". AT5. Retrieved 5 June 2014.
  40. "Klaassen: Talent van het Jaar". Spits Nieuws. Retrieved 5 June 2014.
  41. "Telegraaf: Klaassen wint Gouden Schoen". Ajax Showtime. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
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