Damián van der Vaart (born 28 May 2006) is a Dutch footballer currently playing as a midfielder for Ajax.
Early life
Van der Vaart was born in the Dutch municipality of Zaanstad to former Dutch international footballer Rafael van der Vaart and Dutch television personality and model Sylvie Meis.[2] Following his parent's separation in 2013, he remained in Germany with his mother.[3]
Club career
Following his father's move from London-based club Tottenham Hotspur to German side Hamburger SV in 2012, van der Vaart joined the academy of fellow Hamburg-based club SC Victoria.[4] During his time with SC Victoria, the club was sponsored by his mother's company, Meis Enterprise.[5]
In July 2020, van der Vaart moved to Denmark to live with his father, joining the academy of Esbjerg - the last club his father had played for, and the club his father's new partner, Estavana Polman, played handball for.[6][7] A year after joining the Danish 1st Division side, on his fifteenth birthday in May 2021, he signed a new contract, keeping him with the club until 2023.[8] He made his unofficial debut for the club in February 2022, while his father was a member of the coaching staff.[9]
On 6 September 2023, van der Vaart joined another of his father's former clubs, returning to the Netherlands to join Ajax on a free transfer, with a compensation fee being agreed between Ajax and Esbjerg.[2][10][11] He had trialled with the Eredivisie side three months prior, and on signing a one-year deal, he stated: "I am very happy. It was always a dream of mine to play for Ajax."[12]
International career
Born in the Netherlands, van der Vaart is eligible to represent the Netherlands and Indonesia at international level, due to his mother's Dutch East Indies heritage.[13] He made his debut for the Netherlands under-17 Futures side, composed of players not yet eligible to represent the full under-17 squad, in a 2–2 friendly draw against Luxembourg in February 2023, before going on to also feature in a 2–0 loss to Belgium.[14][15]
References
- ^ Damián van der Vaart at WorldFootball.net
- ^ a b "Ajax has signed Damián van der Vaart". english.ajax.nl. 6 September 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
- ^ Gründlers, Berit-Silja (3 May 2019). "Sylvie Meis' Sohn spricht über schwere Kindheit" [Sylvie Meis' son talks about difficult childhood]. schweizer-illustrierte.ch (in German). Retrieved 1 April 2024.
- ^ "Damian Van der Vaart verstärkt Victoria Hamburg" [Damian Van der Vaart joins Victoria Hamburg]. sportal.de (in German). 9 October 2012. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
- ^ "Tritt er in Papas Fußstapfen? DFB fördert Damian van der Vaart" [Is he following in Dad’s footsteps? DFB supports Damian van der Vaart]. stern.de (in German). 29 November 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
- ^ "Fussball zuerst: Sohn Damian zieht zu Vater Rafael van der Vaart" [Football first: Son Damian moves in with father Rafael van der Vaart]. bluewin.ch (in German). 18 July 2020. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
- ^ Westphal, Kim (22 July 2020). "Ny van der Vaart på banen" [New van der Vaart on the pitch]. ugeavisen.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 1 April 2024.
- ^ "Scorer kontrakt med dansk klub" [Scores contract with Danish club]. ekstrabladet.dk (in Danish). 28 May 2021. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
- ^ "Wie is Damian Van der Vaart, de zoon van Rafael die heeft getekend bij Ajax?" [Who is Damian Van der Vaart, the son of Rafael who has signed with Ajax?]. voetbalnieuws.nl (in Dutch). 7 September 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
- ^ "Esbjerg har solgt Damian van der Vaart til Ajax" [Esbjerg has sold Damian van der Vaart to Ajax]. bt.dk (in Danish). 1 September 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
- ^ "EFB SÆLGER DAMIAN VAN DER VAART TIL AFC AJAX" [EFB SELLS DAMIAN VAN DER VAART TO AFC AJAX]. efb.dk (in Danish). 6 September 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
- ^ "Damián van der Vaart dolt bij Ajax met vader Rafael: 'Ik ben sneller dan hij was'" [Damián van der Vaart plays at Ajax with father Rafael: 'I am faster than he was']. ad.nl (in Dutch). 7 September 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
- ^ Rahmayunita, Husna (7 September 2023). "3 Fakta Menarik Damian van der Vaart, Pemain Berdarah Indonesia yang Resmi Gabung Ajax Amsterdam" [3 Interesting Facts about Damian van der Vaart, Indonesian Player Who Officially Joined Ajax Amsterdam]. suara.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 1 April 2024.
- ^ "DAMIAN VAN DER VAART PÅ U17-LANDSHOLDET" [DAMIAN VAN DER VAART ON THE U17 NATIONAL TEAM]. efb.dk (in Danish). 17 February 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
- ^ Milani, Babak (22 March 2023). "Van-der-Vaart-Sohn Damian läuft im Oranje Trikot auf" [Van der Vaart's son Damian wears the Oranje jersey]. sportbild.bild.de (in German). Retrieved 1 April 2024.