Huntelaar

Huntelaar

Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Klaas Jan Huntelaar (born August 12, 1983 in Drempt, Gelderland, Netherlands) is a Dutch footballer who plays as a striker for Ajax Amsterdam. He is seen as a rising star in Dutch football, having scored 33 goals in the 2005/06 Eredivisie campaign. His nickname is 'The Hunter'. In 2006, Ajax signed Huntelaar from SC Heerenveen, paying € 9 million + future extensives for the player. A substantial sum went to rivals PSV as a result of the training compensation rule imposed by the FIFA. Perhaps his most spectacular goal of the season was a bicycle kickin injury time of the Cup semifinal against Roda JC which squared the match and allowed Ajax to go on to victory after the extra periods. Huntelaar then went on to score a brace, including the winner, against PSV Eindhoven to bring Ajax its 16th KNVB Cup. Huntelaar won the European Golden Boot for the 2005-2006 season.Huntelaar was the first player to score a goal at Arsenal F.C.'s new Emirates Stadium a testimonial match for Dennis Bergkamp - a match Ajax ended up losing 2-1 (although in the second half, which started off with Ajax leading 1-0, 'legends' like Johan Cruijff, Marco van Basten and Ian Wright played instead).Huntelaar started the 2006/07 campaign by scoring a brace against Copenhagen in the first leg of the UEFA Champions league 3rd qualifying round.