Javier Martina
Encyclopedia
Javier Sylvester Martina (born 1 February 1987 in Willemstad, Curaçao) is a Curaçaoan
-Dutch
footballer who last played for Toronto FC
in Major League Soccer
. He also plays for the Curaçao
national soccer team.
, from where he was scouted by Jong AFC Ajax
in the summer of 2005.
He played three years for the AFC Ajax youth team, before he was promoted to the Eredivisie
team in June 2008. The highly rated right winger made his official Ajax debut in the 2008 season in a 2-0 Eredivisie
win against Twente. Martina started the match and assisted on his clubs first goal of the match. In January 2010 he was sent on loan to HFC Haarlem
playing only one game before the team went bankrupt. He returned to Jong Ajax before he was released in the summer of 2010.
of Major League Soccer
on trial for their pre-season in Antalya
, Turkey
. On February 15, 2011 it was reported that he had agreed to terms with the Canadian club. However it was not officially announced by the Canadian club until March 9, 2011. Martina was one of three Dutch
players signed by Toronto, both Nick Soolsma
and Elbekay Bouchiba
also joined the club. Martina made his debut for the team on March 19, 2011 versus Vancouver Whitecaps FC in the first all Canadian match-up in the league. One week later during the second game of the season Martina scored two goals against Portland
, leading Toronto to a 2-0 home victory. Martina's second goal of the match was a one touch volley direct from goalkeeper Stefan Frei
, which earned him MLS Goal of the Week honours.
Martina was waived by Toronto on November 23, 2011.
at the 2007 Toulon Tournament
. Martina was called up by his country of birth, Curaçao
for 2014 World Cup qualifying
in September 2011.
Curaçao
Curaçao is an island in the southern Caribbean Sea, off the Venezuelan coast. The Country of Curaçao , which includes the main island plus the small, uninhabited island of Klein Curaçao , is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands...
-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 last played for Toronto FC
Toronto FC
Toronto FC is a Canadian professional soccer club based in Toronto, Ontario which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada....
in Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
. He also plays for the Curaçao
Curaçao national football team
The Curaçao national football team is the official football team for Curaçao, under the control of the Curaçao Football Federation.-History:Although not a sovereign state, Curaçao appeared on the FIFA member list in March 2011, as successor of the Netherlands Antilles, which had been dissolved ...
national soccer team.
Netherlands
Martina began his career with SV Bijlmer. After two years, he joined Amstelveen Heemraad in the summer of 2001. In July 2003, he left Amsteleen Heemraad to sign for FC OmniworldFC Omniworld
Almere City Football Club is a Dutch football club. The club was founded in 2001, and is an expression of the ambitions of the city council of Almere to play an active role in top sports. To that end, a sports club was formed, which now comprises a volleyball branch, a basketball branch and a...
, from where he was scouted by Jong AFC Ajax
Jong AFC Ajax
Jong Ajax are the reserve team of AFC Ajax. In the past the team has competed in the KNVB Cup, reaching the quarter-finals on three occasions, and the semi-finals in 2001–02....
in the summer of 2005.
He played three years for the AFC Ajax youth team, before he was promoted to the 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....
team in June 2008. The highly rated right winger made his official Ajax debut in the 2008 season in a 2-0 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....
win against Twente. Martina started the match and assisted on his clubs first goal of the match. In January 2010 he was sent on loan to HFC Haarlem
HFC Haarlem
HFC Haarlem was a Dutch football club from the city of Haarlem, established in 1889. The club won the Dutch national title in 1946 and reached five Cup finals, winning in 1902 and 1912...
playing only one game before the team went bankrupt. He returned to Jong Ajax before he was released in the summer of 2010.
Canada
In January 2011, Martina joined Canadian club Toronto FCToronto FC
Toronto FC is a Canadian professional soccer club based in Toronto, Ontario which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada....
of Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
on trial for their pre-season in Antalya
Antalya
Antalya is a city on the Mediterranean coast of southwestern Turkey. With a population 1,001,318 as of 2010. It is the eighth most populous city in Turkey and country's biggest international sea resort.- History :...
, Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
. On February 15, 2011 it was reported that he had agreed to terms with the Canadian club. However it was not officially announced by the Canadian club until March 9, 2011. Martina was one of three Dutch
Dutch people
The Dutch people are an ethnic group native to the Netherlands. They share a common culture and speak the Dutch language. Dutch people and their descendants are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in Suriname, Chile, Brazil, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and the United...
players signed by Toronto, both Nick Soolsma
Nick Soolsma
Nick Soolsma is a Dutch footballer who currently plays for Toronto FC in Major League Soccer.-Netherlands:Soolsma began his career in the youth ranks of Dutch side FC Volendam. During the 2007 season he played for FC Volendam's Under-19 side...
and Elbekay Bouchiba
Elbekay Bouchiba
Elbekay Bouchiba is a Dutch footballer of Moroccan descent who currently plays for Toronto FC in Major League Soccer.-Club career:...
also joined the club. Martina made his debut for the team on March 19, 2011 versus Vancouver Whitecaps FC in the first all Canadian match-up in the league. One week later during the second game of the season Martina scored two goals against Portland
Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers may refer to any of four distinct professional soccer teams:*Portland Timbers, a Major League Soccer expansion team that began playing in 2011....
, leading Toronto to a 2-0 home victory. Martina's second goal of the match was a one touch volley direct from goalkeeper Stefan Frei
Stefan Frei
Stefan Frei is a Swiss footballer who currently plays for Toronto FC in Major League Soccer.-Youth and college:...
, which earned him MLS Goal of the Week honours.
Martina was waived by Toronto on November 23, 2011.
International career
He was a member of the Netherlands U-20 teamNetherlands national football team
The Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...
at the 2007 Toulon Tournament
2007 Toulon Tournament
The 2007 Toulon Tournament was the 35th edition of the Toulon Tournament, and was held from 31 May to 9 June. It was won by France, after they beat China 3-1 in the final.-Table:-Match summaries:-Table:-Match summaries:...
. Martina was called up by his country of birth, Curaçao
Curaçao
Curaçao is an island in the southern Caribbean Sea, off the Venezuelan coast. The Country of Curaçao , which includes the main island plus the small, uninhabited island of Klein Curaçao , is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands...
for 2014 World Cup qualifying
2014 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONCACAF)
The CONCACAF qualification for the 2014 FIFA World Cup will see teams competing for places at the finals in Brazil.As in recent tournaments, CONCACAF will have three direct qualifiers for the finals tournament in addition to a further possible place via the inter-confederation play-offs against the...
in September 2011.