In a long line of Dutch superstars who have moved to the Premier League, Cody Gakpo is the most recent.
The 2-2 draw between Wolves and Liverpool on Saturday in the third round of the FA Cup marked the 23-year-debut old’s for Liverpool.
He now appears poised to join the ranks of other Netherlands internationals who were drawn to England’s top division in making his Premier League debut.
We recall the greatest Dutch masters who have played in English football as Liverpool and Gakpo get set to face Brighton.
Ruud van Nistelrooy
With 95 goals in 150 games, Ruud van Nistelrooy ranks among the top Premier League goal scorers of all time. He plays for Manchester United.
Van Nistelrooy’s transfer from PSV Eindhoven to Old Trafford was delayed by a year due to a knee injury, but when he did sign for the Red Devils for £19 million in 2001, he was crowned the PFA Players’ Player of the Year after scoring 36 goals in his rookie season.
In his second season, he scored 44 goals in 52 appearances, helping United win the Premier League in 2002-03. Before he left the club to join Real Madrid, the goals kept coming at a rapid clip over the course of five seasons.
Virgil van Dijk
The addition of Virgil van Dijk to the Merseyside area has completely changed Liverpool.
The center-back joined the Reds for £75 million in 2018, a then-record sum for a defender, following a successful stint at Southampton.
The imposing presence at the center of their defense proved to be a steal, helping Jurgen Klopp’s team advance to the Champions League final during his first few months in charge.
Van Dijk was crucial to Liverpool’s success in winning the Premier League in 2019–20 and both domestic cups the previous season. The club would go on to win the continental championship the following season.
Edwin van der Sar
Edwin van der Sar, a former goalkeeper for Manchester United, is the only Dutch player to have won more Premier League championships.
During his six seasons at Old Trafford, the shot-stopper won four English championships, as well as the Champions League in 2007–08, after finally establishing himself as the rightful successor to Peter Schmeichel.
Robin van Persie
Another Dutch player who made a major impact at two Premier League clubs was Robin van Persie.
When he signed for Arsenal in 2004, Arsene Wenger had plans to convert him from a winger to a centre forward. It was not until Thierry Henry departed in 2007 that Van Persie became the main striker for the Gunners, but injuries conspired to restrict his appearances.
In what turned out to be his last season in North London, Van Persie stayed injury free and scored 30 goals in 38 Premier League games in 2011-12. This achievement saw United pay £24m for the left-footed hitman.
Dennis Bergkamp
When it comes to the ultimate Dutch master in the Premier League, the obvious choice is Dennis Bergkamp.
Starting his career at Ajax, he arrived at Arsenal in 1995 after a disappointing spell at Inter Milan. Bruce Rioch paid £7.5m for the creative genius, whose career at Highbury really took off when Wenger took the reins in 1996.
In his third season at the club, Bergkamp scored 21 goals across all competitions, as the Gunners won the Premier League and FA Cup double.
