Donny van De Beek is Manchester United’s new signing who plays in the central midfield position taking up the number six role. He was one of Europe’s most coveted assets during the 2020 summer transfer window.
He established himself as one of the most sought after midfielder after Ajax Amsterdam reached the UEFA champions League Semifinals of 18-19 and also won the Eridivisie in the same year. Ajax narrowly lost out to Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League that season as they lost 3-3 on aggregate and had to bow out only because of the away goals rule.
He was a part of Erik Ten Hag’s outstanding young side which included the likes of now Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech, Juventus centre back Matthjis de Ligt, Barcelona midfielder Frankie De Jong and David Neres, who is still plying his trade at Ajax.
Donny is an offensive number six player who has lung-bursting forward runs into opposition heart and can at times pierce a through pass to split open a defence. Manchester United were after the youngster, now only 23, since a long period and have now signed the orchestrator on a 5-year deal in a transfer rumored to be around a bargain 35 Million Pound mark with some additional bonuses on top. So let’s dive into some of the probably unknown facts about the Dutch midfielder:
1. Early Years
Donny van de Beek was born on 18th April 1997 at Nijkerkerveen, a small town in the central part of The Netherlands in the Gelderland province to his Father, Andre van de Beek and mother, Gerdina van de Beek. His belongs to a middle class family and was raised in Nijkerkerland which has a tiny population of just 1500 odd inhabitants.
He grew up in a farmhouse in the town and was not at all into football until he was 5. He used love play around and climb trees and to pet animals from his farm. The family had an aviary where Donny used to pass time and this developed an interest in him for birds. It was only 2002 when his father took him to watch an Ajax game with him to the Johan Cruyff Stadium when he was first introduced to the beautiful game.
2. Veensche Boys
After that match in Amsterdam, Donny started getting interest in football and soon joined Veensche Boys, a local club in the Gerderland province. He and his younger brother, Rudy van de Beek both joined the youth set up of the club and learned the basics of the game.
In an interview later on, recalling the time Donny joined Veensche Boys, his father Andre was quoted saying: “Donny fared excellently well during the training and made sport his top priority from that day”.
3. Ajax Youth Set-Up
Donny was spotted by scouts from across the country playing and setting up goals and big chances during his time at Veensche Boys and it wasn’t until long when Ajax Amsterdam came in to swoop the midfielder to the academy in 2008. For Donny, now 11, this was a massive up-step as the Ajax academy is considered as one of Europe’s top talent producing junctions. Initially he was admitted into the D team but gradually made his way through the system and rose above the ranks to reach the first team in 2014.
He played for the Jong Ajax side, the reserve team which lays in the Eerste Divisie from 2015 to 2017. He was then called up to the first team squad by the legendary player turned manager Frank de Boar as an injury replacement for a Eridivisie fixture. He made his European debut at the end of the 2015 against Scottish Champions Celtic.
4. “Talent of the Year”
His style of play and consistency on the pitch to dominate play won him the Award for being the AFC Ajax “Talent of the Year” for 2015. He started having minutes with the first team frequently as both Yaya Sanogo and John Heitinga left. Media started focusing on the talented youngster as reports emerged he was being eyed by Bayern Munich. He had cemented his place in the starting eleven by the end of the 16-17 Eridivisie season and now Barcelona were also interested in securing the service of the Dutch starlet.
5. Ajax Redemption Mission
Donny had been a regular figure in the games for Ajax either as a starting option or the one to be first substituted in during the 16-17 season. Manager Peter Bosz was amazed by the midfielder and was encourage to give him more playing time. He played in the number 6 role alongside Abdelhak Nouri and Lasse Schone in the middle of the park.
He played an integral role for Ajax, in reaching the Europa League final of the 16-17 season. Ajax received a bid for him before the start of the 18-19 season from Italian giants AS Roma. Donny quickly turned to reject the move and was quoted saying “Ajax is the right place for development”. He played a pivotal role for Ajax that season as they reached the Champions League semifinals that season and also won the Eridivisie. The club was back at their peak after dismal displays over the past decade or two in European competitions.
6. Mr. Consistent
The beginning of the 19-20 season saw a flurry of the talents leave Ajax as big European clubs came to Dutch shores for fishing up the youngsters abroad. Captain Matthjis de Ligt left for Juventus, Kasper Doldberg for Nice, Wober for Sevilla and de Jong for Barcelona. Donny stayed put at Ajax despite having interest from Real Madrid. He played a senior figure in the squad and helped Ajax reach top spot in the league table before the COVID-19 pandemic shook the world and the Football season in The Netherlands was curtailed short with no Champions. He played a whopping 57 out of 58 games for Ajax in the season.
7. Represented the Dutch National teams at 5 levels
Donny began representing the Dutch National team since 2013 at the U-17 level. He also reached the UEFA European U-17 Championship final where The Netherlands lost out to a talented English U-17 side. In the following years he played for the U-19, U-20 and U-21 sides before finally being called up for a friendly against Romania for the National First team squad. He was part of the Nation’s League final which The Netherlands lost out 1-0 to Portugal. HE features regularly for the Dutch team these days.
8. Ballon D’Or 18-19 – 28th
Donny van de Beek was amongst the extraordinary set of 30 players who are shortlisted every year for the Ballon D’Or. His performance in the UEFA Chamions League and Eridivisie that season earned him enough plaudits to be nominated for the prestigious Award which was eventually won by Argentine Legend Lionel Messi.
9. Players United Management
Donny van de Beek is being managed by Player United Management, a form which acts as an agent for football players especially in The Netherlands. They have represented Donny since a long time now. Players United management also represent players like Graziano Pelle (Shandong Luneng), Wesley Sneijder, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, and Maxim Guillit, son of Dutch legend Ruud Guillit. They have a great image for honing young talents and being close to their clients.
10. WAG – Estelle Bergkamp (Girlfriend)
Donny is dating Estelle Bergkamp, the Daughter of Dutch Legend Dennis Bergkamp who made his name playing for Arsenal.
The two have been inseparable in the last few years and have been on vacations together. The two post pictures of dates and trips on their social media. Estelle was spotted supporting her beau during his time at Ajax.
11. Nickname – “Maradonny”
Donny van de Beek was played with many of the youngsters at the Ajax Amsterdam academy but was pretty close to midfielder Abdelhak Nouri who formed a sensational pair with Donny in the centre of the park. Nouri gave Donny a nickname – “Maradonny”, probably because of the technical abilities which seem similar to Maradona.
12. His Car and Other Interests
Donny drives some fast cars and was spotted driving an Audi to Ajax training once. He has a normal routine life off the pitch and away from the limelight. He likes going out on trips with his Girlfriend. He likes canoeing on an off day with his friends and also has an avid interest in Boxing. He was heard of following fashion styles and designs as well during his free time. Donny loves sharing time with his family in The Netherlands.
13. Best Mate – Abdelhak Nouri
Donny is very close friends with the current Ajax midfielder Abdelhak Nouri. Nouri collapsed on the pitch in a pre-season friendly against German opponents Werder Bremen on July 8 2017. He had to be shifted to a hospital immediately and was in coma until recently. The footballing world grieved the moment when a young talent suffered such a horrific event. As a message of respect for his friend, Donny van de Beek wears number 34 at Manchester United.
14. Salary and Net-worth
Donny van de Beek signed a 5-year deal at Manchester United this season which can be extended by a year if required. He will be earning a whopping 8 million Pounds a season during his time here at Old Trafford. His net-worth is still yet to be figured but the talented youngster is expected to rake in a money via a sponsorship deal with German sport-wear maker Adidas.
