Finally providing the fans what they asked for, Milan dipped into the
transfer market and bought a striker. Their chosen one was Klaas-Jan
Huntelaar from Real Madrid.
"I am very happy to arrive in Milan, a city that is very special for the Dutch," the 25-year-old told the press when arriving at Malpensa Airport on Thursday.
Huntelaar is far from the first Dutchman to wear the Milan colours. Goal.com looks at the Top 10 players hailing from the Netherlands to feature for the Rossoneri...
10) Chedric Seedorf
It’s safe to say that Chedric never reached the heights of his illustrious brother Clarence. Often following his sibling to the youth academies of Real Madrid and Inter, he joined him once again in 2006. However, the Rossoneri would do him no favours as he clearly lacks the quality necessary to play for such a prestigious side – he has been loaned to Savoie 74 of the Championnat National and Monza of Italy’s lower divisions.
9) Winston Bogarde
It would not be surprising if most of you had forgotten he ever played for the Rossoneri. The defender only lasted six months and didn’t even average an appearance per month, only featuring three times. The situation got no better for the now 38-year-old as he continued to fade at both Barcelona and Chelsea before retiring.
8) Edgar Davids
The ‘pitbull’ moved to the Rossoneri after being part of the impressive Ajax side that made it to two Champions League finals, but he faltered in his first year in the peninsula, despite all his promise. Milan’s loss was Juventus’ gain as they snapped him up and he became one of the top defensive midfielders in the league for several years.
7) Patrick Kluivert
Too much, too soon is how the career of this Holland native can be described in Italy. Another of the contingent from Ajax, he only scored six goals in one season at the club before leaving for a more successful spell at Barcelona, but few at the San Siro still speak his name – an unequivocal flop in Italy.
6) Michael Reiziger
Like some of the others on the list, he came to the red and black from the Amsterdam ArenA in 1996, but left shortly after. Ten appearances was all he could manage during an injury-plagued campaign, before meeting up with former coach Louis Van Gaal in Spain the following year.
5) Jaap Stam
One of the most highly-rated defenders of the era, Stam enjoyed success at PSV, Manchester United, and Lazio before coming to Milan. The stopper had a good two seasons, but fell short in the 2005 Champions League final to Liverpool. The towering defender then returned to Eredivisie and finished his career with Ajax.
4) Clarence Seedorf
The name Clarence Seedorf is now intertwined with the history of the club. Since arriving in 2001 from city-rivals Inter, the former Real Madrid playmaker has helped the Rossoneri to a Serie A title, two UEFA Super Cups, a Supercoppa Italiana, a FIFA World Club Cup, and two Champions League titles, the latter accolade giving him the particular distinction of being the only person to win the competition with three separate teams. He remains a prominent part of the team at the age of 33.
3) Ruud Gullit
His coaching career may not be anything to highlight, but Gullit produced plenty of them himself when he was on the field. Joining i Diavoli from PSV, Gullit found the back of the net twice in the club’s 1989 European Cup triumph. After taking his time to settle in Italy, he became an unrivalled success alongside compatriots Rijkaard and Van Basten. Even after leaving for Sampdoria, he returned for a brief spell in 1994. His greatest asset was his versatility, as he was used as a defender, midfielder, and striker on different occasions.
2) Frank Rijkaard
The second member of Milan’s famous Dutch trio that were so outstanding during the late 1980s and early 90s. Transformed by coach Arrigo Sacchi from a defender to a defensive midfielder, Frank helped the Rossoneri to a number of trophies – including the 1990 European Cup, when he scored the winning goal against Benfica in the final.
1) Marco Van Basten
Viewed as one the top and most complete strikers of his generation, Van Basten is a true hero to the Rossoneri tifosi. Signed due to his incredible scoring rate with Ajax, he continued those exploits with the Italian outfit. Scoring a brace in the 1989 European Cup Final against Steaua Bucharest, he is also glorified for thumping an incredible header from the edge of the area against Real Madrid that year.
Three Serie A titles, three Italian Supercups, two Intercontinental Cups, two European Cups, two European Supercups and 125 goals were his achievements in six seasons with Milan before injury unfortunately forced him to retire before the age of 30. Also named FIFA World Player of the Year in 1992.
Adam Scime, Goal.com
"I am very happy to arrive in Milan, a city that is very special for the Dutch," the 25-year-old told the press when arriving at Malpensa Airport on Thursday.
Huntelaar is far from the first Dutchman to wear the Milan colours. Goal.com looks at the Top 10 players hailing from the Netherlands to feature for the Rossoneri...
10) Chedric Seedorf
It’s safe to say that Chedric never reached the heights of his illustrious brother Clarence. Often following his sibling to the youth academies of Real Madrid and Inter, he joined him once again in 2006. However, the Rossoneri would do him no favours as he clearly lacks the quality necessary to play for such a prestigious side – he has been loaned to Savoie 74 of the Championnat National and Monza of Italy’s lower divisions.
9) Winston Bogarde
It would not be surprising if most of you had forgotten he ever played for the Rossoneri. The defender only lasted six months and didn’t even average an appearance per month, only featuring three times. The situation got no better for the now 38-year-old as he continued to fade at both Barcelona and Chelsea before retiring.
8) Edgar Davids
The ‘pitbull’ moved to the Rossoneri after being part of the impressive Ajax side that made it to two Champions League finals, but he faltered in his first year in the peninsula, despite all his promise. Milan’s loss was Juventus’ gain as they snapped him up and he became one of the top defensive midfielders in the league for several years.
7) Patrick Kluivert
Too much, too soon is how the career of this Holland native can be described in Italy. Another of the contingent from Ajax, he only scored six goals in one season at the club before leaving for a more successful spell at Barcelona, but few at the San Siro still speak his name – an unequivocal flop in Italy.
6) Michael Reiziger
Like some of the others on the list, he came to the red and black from the Amsterdam ArenA in 1996, but left shortly after. Ten appearances was all he could manage during an injury-plagued campaign, before meeting up with former coach Louis Van Gaal in Spain the following year.
5) Jaap Stam
One of the most highly-rated defenders of the era, Stam enjoyed success at PSV, Manchester United, and Lazio before coming to Milan. The stopper had a good two seasons, but fell short in the 2005 Champions League final to Liverpool. The towering defender then returned to Eredivisie and finished his career with Ajax.
4) Clarence Seedorf
The name Clarence Seedorf is now intertwined with the history of the club. Since arriving in 2001 from city-rivals Inter, the former Real Madrid playmaker has helped the Rossoneri to a Serie A title, two UEFA Super Cups, a Supercoppa Italiana, a FIFA World Club Cup, and two Champions League titles, the latter accolade giving him the particular distinction of being the only person to win the competition with three separate teams. He remains a prominent part of the team at the age of 33.
3) Ruud Gullit
His coaching career may not be anything to highlight, but Gullit produced plenty of them himself when he was on the field. Joining i Diavoli from PSV, Gullit found the back of the net twice in the club’s 1989 European Cup triumph. After taking his time to settle in Italy, he became an unrivalled success alongside compatriots Rijkaard and Van Basten. Even after leaving for Sampdoria, he returned for a brief spell in 1994. His greatest asset was his versatility, as he was used as a defender, midfielder, and striker on different occasions.
2) Frank Rijkaard
The second member of Milan’s famous Dutch trio that were so outstanding during the late 1980s and early 90s. Transformed by coach Arrigo Sacchi from a defender to a defensive midfielder, Frank helped the Rossoneri to a number of trophies – including the 1990 European Cup, when he scored the winning goal against Benfica in the final.
1) Marco Van Basten
Viewed as one the top and most complete strikers of his generation, Van Basten is a true hero to the Rossoneri tifosi. Signed due to his incredible scoring rate with Ajax, he continued those exploits with the Italian outfit. Scoring a brace in the 1989 European Cup Final against Steaua Bucharest, he is also glorified for thumping an incredible header from the edge of the area against Real Madrid that year.
Three Serie A titles, three Italian Supercups, two Intercontinental Cups, two European Cups, two European Supercups and 125 goals were his achievements in six seasons with Milan before injury unfortunately forced him to retire before the age of 30. Also named FIFA World Player of the Year in 1992.
Adam Scime, Goal.com