Clarence Seedorf

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Seedorf arrived on the international stage with a reputation forged in the Ajax youth academy. He made his professional debut for Ajax at 16 years and 242 days, the youngest-ever debutant for the club at the time. At Ajax, he was part of a trio known as 'De kabel' with Edgar Davids and Patrick Kluivert, later expanded to a quintet with Winston Bogarde and Michael Reiziger. This friendship group was taken over during UEFA Euro 1996 to describe the group. Seedorf helped Ajax win the 1994–95 UEFA Champions League, defeating AC Milan in the final, with Patrick Kluivert scoring the late winner. He then moved to Sampdoria on a one-year contract before transferring to Real Madrid in 1996.

In Their Own Story

At Real Madrid, Seedorf was virtually ever present in his first three seasons, helping the team regain the La Liga title in his first season and playing a major role in the 1997–98 Champions League success, earning his second Champions League title. He scored a notable long-range goal against Atlético Madrid in 1997. After a less prominent role under Guus Hiddink, he transferred to Inter Milan in December 1999 for about €23 million. He is remembered by Inter fans for two superb long-range goals against Juventus in a 2–2 draw on 9 March 2002. He then moved to AC Milan in 2002 in an exchange with Francesco Coco, winning the Coppa Italia in 2003 and his third Champions League medal, becoming the first player to win it with three clubs. He won the Serie A title in 2003–04 and reached the Champions League final again in 2005, where Milan lost to Liverpool on penalties after a 3–3 draw. In 2007, he collected his fourth Champions League medal as Milan defeated Liverpool 2–1 in Athens. That same year, he won the 2007 FIFA Club World Cup, becoming the first European player to win the trophy with three clubs (Ajax in 1995 and Real Madrid in 1998), winning the Silver Ball for his performances. He scored the winner against Urawa Red Diamonds in the semi-final.

Reader's Guide

Clarence Seedorf is one of the most successful players in UEFA Champions League history, the only player to have won the trophy with three clubs: once with Ajax in 1995, once with Real Madrid in 1998, and twice with AC Milan in 2003 and 2007. At international level, he represented the Netherlands on 87 occasions, taking part in UEFA Euro 1996, 2000, and 2004, and the 1998 FIFA World Cup, reaching the semi-finals of the latter three tournaments. He was chosen by Pelé as part of the FIFA 100 in 2004. Seedorf is one of the most decorated Dutch players ever, having won domestic and continental titles while playing. He formed a formidable midfield partnership with Gennaro Gattuso and Andrea Pirlo at AC Milan from the 2002–03 season, a trio still used until the 2011–12 season. He became the foreigner with the most appearances for Milan at 395, passing Nils Liedholm, and the ninth-highest scoring foreigner for Milan with 58 goals. He won his second Scudetto with Milan in the 2010–11 Serie A season, scoring four goals in 36 appearances. He added the Supercoppa Italiana in the 2011–12 season, scoring the winning goal in a 2–1 comeback win over Inter Milan.

Did You Know?

• Seedorf is the only player to have won the UEFA Champions League with three different clubs: Ajax (1995), Real Madrid (1998), and AC Milan (2003, 2007).
• He made his professional debut for Ajax at 16 years and 242 days, making him the youngest-ever debutant for the club at the time.
• He was chosen by Pelé as part of the FIFA 100 in 2004.
• Seedorf became the first European player to win the FIFA Club World Cup with three clubs: Ajax in 1995, Real Madrid in 1998, and AC Milan in 2007.
• He scored two superb long-range goals against Juventus in a 2–2 draw for Inter Milan on 9 March 2002, a performance still remembered by Inter fans.