The 13 Dutch Stars Who Scored on Their Premier League Debuts

03 February 2020 12:44

​The Premier League has a rich history of helping nurture some of the world's finest players, and that is just as apt with those from the Netherlands.

Some of the finest Dutchmen to have ever graced a football pitch have done so on British shores, and we may just have another star on our hands. Tottenham's Steven Bergwijn grabbed the headlines with his stunning debut goal against Manchester City, striking a sumptuous volley beyond the outstretched arm of Ederson.

The £27m attacker has got off to a flying start in north London and Sunday's debut goal made Bergwijn the 13th Dutchman to net on his Premier League debut.

We know what you're thinking: "Hurry up and tell us who the rest are!" Well, without further ado, here we go.


Steven Bergwijn

Steven Bergwijn

​Let's begin with Sunday's starlet. Bergwijn had looked lively in the opening stages of ​Spurs' gargantuan clash with City, but the visitors could have well found themselves two or three goals to the good.

A red card later and up steps Bergwijn, with his brilliant chest control meeting a firm snapshot volley that left Ederson scrambling towards his left-hand post in vein.

Mind you, looking at some of the names on this list, Spurs fans may not want to get carried away just yet.


Alexander Buttner

UEFA Champions League - Bayer Leverkusen v Manchester United

Now, ​Manchester United fans may have blocked Buttner out of their minds, but his debut goal and assist initially endeared him to the Old Trafford faithful as he starred in an emphatic 4-0 victory over Wigan on his first league appearance.

The left-back seemingly looked like a fine piece of business by the 13-time Premier League champions, but his United career soon derailed, leaving him forgotten in an abyss of mediocrity.


Regi Blinker

Earl Barrett of Everton (left) challenges Regi Blinker of Sheffield Wednesday

Yes, it may be an awful long time since you heard the name Regi Blinker - if you ever have, of course. The attacker signed for Sheffield Wednesday back in 1995/96 and made an unbelievable start to life in England.

Bagging a brace for Wednesday - on a Wednesday - on his Premier League debut, despite the Owls losing 3-2 to Aston Villa, was enough to make Blinker a firm fan favourite after just 90 minutes. That optimism would soon fade and the former Feyenoord man would score just once more for the club.


Chris David

FBL-ENG-PR-FULHAM-CRYSTAL PALACE

Rather remarkably, David scored just one goal for Fulham in just one Premier League appearance.

A late equaliser against Crystal Palace back in 2014 would see the Dutchman finish his only game in the English top flight with a goal, before returning to his homeland shortly afterwards.


Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink

Now for a good one - Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. The prolific striker had a glistening career in England, starring chiefly at Chelsea in the early 2000s. However, the attacker made his debut at Leeds, scoring at Elland Road in a 1-1 draw with Arsenal.

Hasselbaink would go on to score 26 goals in all competitions during his first season in the UK, and would forever write his name into Premier League folklore.


Fabian de Freitas

BOLTON V READING

De Freitas scored on his Premier League debut back in 1995 for Bolton in a 3-2 defeat at Wimbledon. The Dutchman would manage just another five league goals for the Wanderers before returning to the Netherlands.

Perhaps showing just how long ago this was, Bolton were playing Wimbledon in the top flight.


Jurgen Locadia

Jurgen Locadia

​While things are yet to work out for the Dutch striker on the English south coast, Locadia did bag on his ​Brighton league debut.

Scoring in a 4-1 win over Swansea as a second-half substitute, it's fair to say it went more than a little downhill from there onward.


Ruud van Nistelrooy​

Ruud Van Nistelrooy (R) of Manchester Un

​Of course he did. 

One of the Premier League's greatest poachers tore up the top flight with his ruthlessness and proficiency in front of goal. It all started with his league debut, netting a brace to help the Red Devils to a 3-2 victory over Fulham at Old Trafford.

A star was born on 19 August 2001.


Bryan Roy

TOTTENHAM V NOTTINHAM

Back to the world of relative obscurity now. Being blessed with two first names, it's hardly surprising Roy got off to a great start in England, scoring for Nottingham Forest on his debut - a winner in a 1-0 victory over Ipswich.

Roy would go on to score 24 goals in the Premier League and be much-forgotten by the majority of the league's supporters.


Fabian Wilnis

Ipswich v Bradford

Despite only scoring twice in the Premier League, Wilnis made a spectacular debut in the top flight.

Scoring a goal to earn Ipswich Town a 1-1 draw with Manchester United back in 2000, Wilnis would make an instant impact at Portman Road. The Dutch defender would go on to make 43 appearances in the division.


Georginio Wijnaldum​

Georginio Wijnaldum

It feels an awful long time ago since ​Wijnaldum was relegated with Newcastle, but Liverpool's golden boy got off to a roaring start in England.

A Premier League debut goal against Southampton saw the Dutchman go on an incredible run of only ever scoring home goals, something that ended during his time at Anfield.


Ricky van Wolfswinkel

Ricky van Wolfswinkel

​Perhaps boasting the best name on this list, Ricky van Wolfswinkel rescued a point for his Norwich side on his league debut, scoring in a 2-2 draw with Everton.

Oh, and that was the last thing he ever did for the Canaries. Look away now, Bergwijn.


Boudewijn Zenden

Boudewijn Zenden, Paul Ince

Zenden made a number of moves during his time in the Premier League, but it all began at Chelsea. Stamford Bridge witnessed a debut to remember for the Dutchman who netted in a 1-1 draw with Newcastle in August 2001.

The golden locks of Zenden became all too accustomed with the English top flight, with the midfielder scoring 19 goals in 180 Premier League appearances across four clubs.


Source: 90min