Clarence Seedorf

Clarence Seedorf

Clarence Seedorf (born April 1, 1976 in Paramaribo, Suriname) is a Netherlands-Surinamese soccer midfielder, who currently plays for Italian Serie A club A.C. Milan and the The Netherlands national football team. He is the only player to win the UEFA Champions League with three different clubs. He is the older brother of Chedric Seedorf, the uncle of Regilio Seedorf and a cousin of Stefano Seedorf. Clarence Seedorf is known for his powerful shots from long range and ability to use both feet.

Seedorf started his career as a right midfielder for Ajax Amsterdam during the early 1990s. He made his professional debut on November 29 1992 against FC Groningen at the age of 16 years and 242 days, making him the youngest debutant for Ajax ever. In his early career, he played a role in Ajax’s Eredivisie winning years of 1994 and 1995. He was also a key member during Ajax’s 1995 UEFA Champions League winning campaign. His performances during the season saw him move to Sampdoria in the summer of 1995, although he only spent one season there, scoring three goals.
Seedorf moved to Real Madrid in 1996, helping that team regain the La Liga title in his first season. In his second season, 1997-1998, he played a major role in the team’s Champions League success as Real Madrid secured a 1-0 victory over Juventus in the final, in his second Champions League title of his career. While playing for Real Madrid, Seedorf scored a notable goal against Atlético de Madrid, a shot from around 45 yards away. Seedorf’s spell at Real Madrid ended when he was transferred back to Italy during the 1999-2000 season – this time to Internazionale Milano F.C. for £13.5m.
Despite helping the team to the Coppa Italia final in 2000, a game that was eventually lost, Seedorf could not help bring any major silverware to the club. However, he will be remembered by many Inter fans for his two goals against Juventus in a 2-2 draw on the 9th March 2002, both of which were superb long-range efforts.
After two years with Inter Milan, Seedorf moved to city rivals A.C. Milan in 2002. He won the Coppa Italia with Milan in 2003, which was the first time they had won the competition in twenty-six years. In the same season, Seedorf gained his third Champions League medal with a third different team, after an all Italian final in which AC Milan beat Juventus on penalties after a 0-0 draw. As a result, Seedorf became the first and only player to have won Champions’ League trophies for three different clubs. The following season, 2003–2004, Seedorf played a role in the AC Milan side that won Serie A. It was also Seedorf’s fourth national league title win of his career, after his two Dutch title wins with Ajax and his one Spanish win with Real Madrid.

Seedorf played a major role as Milan reached the Champions League final again in 2005. He started the Istanbul tie against Liverpool F.C. in which Milan contrived to lose a 3-0 lead, eventually losing on penalties after a 3-3 draw. Seedorf did not take of those spot-kicks. Milan also finished runners-up in the Scudetto to Juventus in 2005.