Jan-Arie van der Heijden
Encyclopedia
Jan-Arie van der Heijden (born 3 March 1988 in Schoonhoven
) is a Dutch
footballer who currently plays for SBV Vitesse in the Dutch Eredivisie
.
in the league match Ajax – Roda JC on 4 November 2007 (4–2). Prior to playing for Ajax, he played for V.V. Schoonhoven. He has also attained a Bachelors degree in Sports and Economics. Although the player has only played two league games for Ajax he did play a full match against VfB Stuttgart
and made a substitutes appearance against Italian champions F.C. Internazionale Milano
. On his 20th birthday, March 3, 2008, the player signed an improved contract that binds him to Ajax until 2013.
In the 2008–09 season under manager Marco van Basten, Van der Heijden was injured until March 2009 due to a double knee-injury. During the season he had a number of unfortunate setbacks that prolonged his recovery period. At the end of March he was about to resume full training with Young Ajax, and he played a number of full matches with the reserve squad. On May 10, 2009, the last day of the Eredivisie season, Van der Heijden was on the bench as Ajax played against FC Twente
, although he did not come onto the pitch.
For the 2009–10 season, new manager Martin Jol
came in and Van der Heijden was sent out on loan to gain experience in the Eredivisie. On August 31, he joined Willem II Tilburg
on loan until June 30, 2010. At Willem II he has become a first team regular as a controlling midfielder or as a libero. He made his first goal in competitive football for the Tilburg side in a 2–1 home victory against VVV-Venlo. He kicked a great free kick in the top corner leaving the goalkeeper without any chance. In January 2010, Ajax team mate Mitchell Donald
joined Van der Heijden on loan from Ajax at the Tilburg club, His playing style has been compared to A.C. Milan
star Clarence Seedorf
.
, where the Netherlands reached the semi finals, but they were beaten by the later winners Mexico. He was called up for the 2008 Toulon Tournament
. On 13 October 2009, he made his U-21 debut in a 2011 European Championship qualifier
.
Schoonhoven
Schoonhoven is a city and municipality in the western Netherlands, in the province of South Holland. The municipality has a population of 12,195 , and covers an area of 6.96 km²...
) is a Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
footballer who currently plays for SBV Vitesse in the Dutch Eredivisie
Eredivisie
The Eredivisie is the highest football league in the Netherlands. The league was founded in 1956 two years after the start of professional football in the Netherlands. It is currently ranked the ninth best league in Europe by UEFA....
.
Club career
Van der Heijden is a talented midfielder, who made his debut for AjaxAjax Amsterdam
Amsterdamsche Football Club Ajax , also referred to as AFC Ajax, Ajax Amsterdam or simply Ajax , is a professional football club from Amsterdam, Netherlands...
in the league match Ajax – Roda JC on 4 November 2007 (4–2). Prior to playing for Ajax, he played for V.V. Schoonhoven. He has also attained a Bachelors degree in Sports and Economics. Although the player has only played two league games for Ajax he did play a full match against VfB Stuttgart
VfB Stuttgart
Verein für Bewegungsspiele Stuttgart 1893 e. V., commonly known as VfB Stuttgart, is a German sports club based in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg. The club is best known for its football team, which has participated in all but two Bundesliga seasons...
and made a substitutes appearance against Italian champions F.C. Internazionale Milano
F.C. Internazionale Milano
Football Club Internazionale Milano, often referred to as Internazionale or simply Inter, is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Italy. Outside Italy, the club is often called Inter Milan. They are the reigning FIFA Club World champions and Coppa Italia holders.Inter have always...
. On his 20th birthday, March 3, 2008, the player signed an improved contract that binds him to Ajax until 2013.
In the 2008–09 season under manager Marco van Basten, Van der Heijden was injured until March 2009 due to a double knee-injury. During the season he had a number of unfortunate setbacks that prolonged his recovery period. At the end of March he was about to resume full training with Young Ajax, and he played a number of full matches with the reserve squad. On May 10, 2009, the last day of the Eredivisie season, Van der Heijden was on the bench as Ajax played against FC Twente
FC Twente
FC Twente is a Dutch professional football club from the city of Enschede, playing in the Eredivisie. The club was formed in 1965 by the merger of 1926 Eredivisie Champions, Sportclub Enschede and Enschedese Boys...
, although he did not come onto the pitch.
For the 2009–10 season, new manager Martin Jol
Martin Jol
Maarten Cornelis "Martin" Jol is a Dutch football manager and former midfielder who currently manages Fulham in the Premier League. Jol played over 400 games during his career which included spells in the Netherlands, Germany, and England, as well as earning three caps with the Dutch national team...
came in and Van der Heijden was sent out on loan to gain experience in the Eredivisie. On August 31, he joined Willem II Tilburg
Willem II Tilburg
Willem II , also known as Willem II Tilburg, is a football club based in Tilburg, North Brabant, Netherlands. The team was founded on 12 August 1896 as Tilburgia...
on loan until June 30, 2010. At Willem II he has become a first team regular as a controlling midfielder or as a libero. He made his first goal in competitive football for the Tilburg side in a 2–1 home victory against VVV-Venlo. He kicked a great free kick in the top corner leaving the goalkeeper without any chance. In January 2010, Ajax team mate Mitchell Donald
Mitchell Donald
Mitchell Donald is a Dutch footballer who currently plays for Roda JC as a right midfielder. He previously played for AFC Ajax, where he went through the youth program.-Ajax:...
joined Van der Heijden on loan from Ajax at the Tilburg club, His playing style has been compared to A.C. Milan
A.C. Milan
Associazione Calcio Milan, commonly referred to as A.C. Milan or simply Milan , is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Lombardy, that plays in the Serie A. Milan was founded in 1899 by English lace-maker Herbert Kilpin and businessman Alfred Edwards among others...
star Clarence Seedorf
Clarence Seedorf
Clarence Clyde Seedorf OON is a Dutch footballer who currently plays as an attacking midfielder for Serie A club Milan. Seedorf is the first player to have won the Champions League with three different clubs - Ajax in 1995, Real Madrid in 1998 and Milan in 2003 and 2007...
.
International career
Van der Heijden also participated in the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship
The 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship was held in the cities of Lima, Trujillo, Chiclayo, Piura and Iquitos in Peru between 16 September and 2 October 2005. Players born after 1 January 1988 could participate in this tournament...
, where the Netherlands reached the semi finals, but they were beaten by the later winners Mexico. He was called up for the 2008 Toulon Tournament
2008 Toulon Tournament
The 2008 Toulon Tournament was the 36th edition of the Toulon Tournament, and was held from 20 May to 29 May 2008. Tournament finished with the final between Italy and Chile at Stade Mayol in Toulon as Italy had the title after the final score of 1–0, scored by Pablo Daniel Osvaldo on 70th...
. On 13 October 2009, he made his U-21 debut in a 2011 European Championship qualifier
2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship qualification
The 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship started with a qualifying competition which began on 27 March 2009 and finished on 13 October 2010. The final tournament is being held in Denmark between 11–25 June 2011....
.