Dirk Kuyt
The tireless engine who ran for Feyenoord until the very end.
via Wikipedia: Dirk Kuyt · see source
Dirk Kuyt spent two distinct stints at De Kuip, first arriving from Utrecht in a €1 million transfer in 2003 and later returning to finish his career in Rotterdam. A prolific goalscorer who became club captain in 2005, he was the Eredivisie's top scorer in 2004–05 with 29 goals and was named 2005–06 Dutch Footballer of the Year. His relentless work rate and goal-scoring made him a fans' favourite.
Quick Facts
- Full name
- Dirk Kuijt
- Born
- 22 July 1980
- Birthplace
- Katwijk, Netherlands
- Height
- 1.84 m / 6 ft
- Position
- Forward, right winger
- Current club
- Fenerbahçe (assistant manager)
- Total caps
- 627
- Total goals
- 230
Lore & Background
The emotional weight of his return in 2014 resonated deeply with the club's history.
Reader's Guide
Initially joining from Utrecht in 2003 for €1 million, he immediately became a fans' favourite with his continued goal scoring success. His first season saw him net another 20 league goals. The opening game of the 2004–05 season marked Kuyt's first ever hat-trick against De Graafschap. He later went on to score three in the 6–3 victory against ADO Den Haag and ended the season as the Eredivisie's top scorer with 29 goals, a career high.
In 2005, Kuyt was handed the Feyenoord captaincy and went on to have a third successful season with the club, scoring 25 goals in all competitions. He formed a strong partnership with Salomon Kalou, with the duo nicknamed "K2". He left Feyenoord after three years, having scored 71 league goals in 101 appearances, and joined Premier League side Liverpool for £10 million. Years later, fans were thrilled when Kuyt returned to Rotterdam.
He announced his retirement from professional football in 2017, having scored a hat-trick in the final game of the season to secure Feyenoord their first Eredivisie title since 1999 three days earlier. His legacy remains secure among the club's greatest icons.
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