Dirk Kuijt, commonly known as Dirk Kuyt (Dutch pronunciation: [dɪrk kœyt] born 22 July 1980) is a Dutch professional footballer who currently plays for English club Liverpool. He is renowned for his work-rate in his primary position as a striker, but now he is more often deployed as a winger for both Liverpool and the Netherlands national team.
Kuyt began his professional career with FC Utrecht in 1998 and quickly became part of their first team. He spent five years at the club and in his final season he won his first senior honour, the Dutch Cup, and was chosen as the season's Dutch Golden Shoe Winner. Following this, he left Utrecht in a €1 million transfer to Feyenoord. He became the club captain in 2005 and was a prolific goalscorer at the Rotterdam club; he was the club's top scorer for three consecutive seasons, the top goalscorer in the 2004–05 Eredivisie season, and the 2005–06 Dutch Footballer of the Year. Kuyt missed only five games over seven seasons from 1999 until 2006 and appeared in 179 consecutive matches between 2001–06.
He left Feyenoord after three years, having scored 71 league goals in 101 appearances, and joined Premier League side Liverpool for £10 million. He made his Premier League debut late in 2006 and immediately became part of the first team squad. He scored in his first ever UEFA Champions League final with Liverpool against AC Milan, with Kuyt offering late hope for Liverpool although eventually losing 2–1.
He made his international debut in 2004 and has represented the Netherlands at two major international tournaments, the 2006 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2008.
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Dirk Kuijt | ||
Date of birth | 22 July 1980 | ||
Place of birth | Katwijk aan Zee, Netherlands | ||
Height | 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in) [1] | ||
Playing position | Winger / Striker / Second Striker | ||
Club information | |||
Current club | Liverpool | ||
Number | 18 | ||
Youth career | |||
1985–1998 | Quick Boys | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
1998–2003 | Utrecht | 160 | (51) |
2003–2006 | Feyenoord | 101 | (71) |
2006– | Liverpool | 141 | (36) |
National team‡ | |||
2004– | Netherlands | 60 | (14) |
Living as one of the stars of the Premiership in Liverpool in a multi-million pound home, you would have to be a little security conscious.
But Liverpool FC player Dirk Kuyt will be ramping up surveillance on his home today after becoming the fifth Liverpool player to be burgled in 18 months.
Last night it was revealed the 27-year-old striker's luxury home had been targeted on Thursday while he was away on international duty with Holland.
A spokesman for Merseyside Police said: "We are investigating a burglary at an address in Woolton, Liverpool."
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Dirk Kuyt has become the fifth Liverpool FC player in 18 months to have his home burgled
The raid follows a trend of footballers' homes being targeted, often when they are playing matches.
The Merseyside home of Jerzy Dudek, Liverpool's goalkeeper from the 2005 Champions League final penalty shoot-out, was burgled in June 2006.
He was on holiday in Poland when thieves took his Porsche car, jewellery and football memorabilia, including his European Cup medal.
Reds defender Daniel Agger had his Wirral home burgled in September last year and striker Peter Crouch's house in Alderley Edge was targeted in the same month while he was on England duty.
Pepe Reina was burgled while he played for Liverpool in last May's Champions League semi-final against Chelsea.
The Spaniard helped secure Liverpool's place in the final by saving two out of three spot kicks in a penalty shoot-out.
He returned from the celebrations to find that his home in Woolton had been ransacked.
Jewellery, a Bang and Olufsen entertainment system, personal documents and a grey Porsche Cayenne with Spanish number plates were taken.
The Porsche was found burnt out in the West Derby area of Liverpool.
Everton winger Andy Van der Meyde was burgled twice last year, including one raid in which his pedigree puppy was taken.
Wayne Rooney also lost memorabilia, including his BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year trophy, when his parents' Liverpool home was burgled in July 2006
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