PLAYER PROFILE

Dirk Kuyt

Position: Forward

Height: 6'2

Weight: 12st 2lbs

Date of Birth: 1980-07-22 Katwijk, Netherlands

Dirk Kuyt

Upon his arrival at Anfield in the summer of 2006, Dirk Kuyt certainly knew how to endere himself to the fans as quickly as possible.

When asked in the press about his £9 million move from Feyernoord to Liverpool, he said: "I only wanted to leave Feyenoord for a really big club, and that is what Liverpool are."

He began his professional career at Dutch side FC Utrecht. Having signed from youth side Quick Boys at 18, he immediately established himself as a first-team player, although in those days he more often played as a winger rather than a striker.

This remained the case for the majority of his first four seasons at the club until Foeke Booy was appointed as the new manager of the club. He instantly moved Kuyt into a central position where he proved a massive hit, scoring 20 league goals that season. He also scored and won the Man of the Match award as Utrecht beat Feyernoord 4-1 in the Dutch Cup Final.

His performance in the final was enough to convince Feyernoord to pay �1 million for his services. He became an instant fans favourite, scoring 20 and 29 league goals in his first two seasons at the club. Despite being linked with a move to the Premiership, he was given the club captaincy at Feyernoord during his third season and went on to score 25 goals in all competitions.

It would prove to be his final season at the club and after some impressive performances for Holland at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, he was linked with a move to the Premiership. Both Newcastle United and Liverpool were linked with a move but the player chose Merseyside over Tyneside and moved to Anfield.

His first season at the club was hugely successful as he scored 14 goals in 38 games, and he continued this development in 2007/08, making him one of Rafa Benitez's most valued players.