- Jordi Cruyff
Football player infobox
playername = Jordi Cruyff
fullname = Jordi Cruijff
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1974|2|9
cityofbirth =Amsterdam
countryofbirth =Netherlands
position =Midfielder
currentclub = retired
clubnumber = -
youthyears = 1981–1988
1988–1992
youthclubs =AFC Ajax FC Barcelona C
years = 1992–1995
1994–1996
1996–2000
1999
2000–2003
2003–2004
2004–2006
2006–2008
clubs =FC Barcelona B FC Barcelona
Manchester United
→ Celta Vigo (loan)Deportivo Alavés RCD Espanyol FC Barcelona B Metalurh Donetsk
Total
caps(goals) = 051 0(16)
041 0(11)
034 00(7)
008 00(1)
094 00(7)
030 00(3)
00? 00(?)
028 00(0)
271 0(45)
nationalyears = 1995–2004
1996
nationalteam = Catalonia
Netherlands
nationalcaps(goals) = 009 00(2)
009 00(1)
pcupdate = 17:49, 21 June 2007 (UTC)
ntupdate = 17:49, 21 June 2007 (UTC)Jordi Cruyff (officially spelled Jordi Cruijff in the Netherlands and often referred to as just Jordi), born
February 9 ,1974 inAmsterdam , is a Dutch/Spanish footballer who retired after playing forMetalurh Donetsk . He previously played forFC Barcelona , Manchester United,Celta de Vigo ,Deportivo Alavés andRCD Espanyol . As an international, he has played for both the Catalan XI and the Netherlands. He is the son ofJohan Cruijff .Life and work
Early life
Although born in Amsterdam, Jordi spent his early life in
Catalonia where his father was playing forFC Barcelona . He was allegedly named after Sant Jordi, the patron saint of Catalonia. In 1981, the Cruijff family returned to the Netherlands. Jordi's father introduced him to football from an early age, taking him to watch Ajax Amsterdam and encouraging him to join the Ajax youth training scheme at the age of seven. In 1988, when Jordi was fourteen, Johan Cruijff returned toFC Barcelona as manager and Cruijff junior followed him.FC Barcelona
In 1992, Jordi made his debut for
FC Barcelona B in theSegunda División , and two years later joined the senior team during a pre-season tour in the Netherlands where he scored hat-tricks againstFC Groningen andDe Graafschap . OnSeptember 4 1994 , his father gave him his Primera Division debut in a 2-1 defeat away toSporting Gijón . OnNovember 2 , he played against Manchester United in the Champions League and Jordi set up the first goal forHristo Stoichkov as FC Barcelona won 4-0.However, despite a positive start, Jordi’s time at FC Barcelona effectively came to an end when his father was sacked by
Josep Lluís Nuñez . OnMay 19 1996 , he played his last game for the club againstCelta de Vigo atCamp Nou . Jordi inspired Barça to come back from 2-0 down to eventually win 3-2.Manchester United
In August 1996, Jordi signed with
Manchester United for a fee of £1.4 million. He debuted for the club on August 17 in a 3-0 win over Wimbledon, the opening fixture of the 1996/97 season and a game noted forDavid Beckham scoring from his own half. Cruyff then scored on his next two appearances, helping United to 2-2 draws against Everton andBlackburn Rovers . Despite missing much of the second half of the season due to a knee injury, he returned towards the end to help United clinch the Premiership title. Anankle injury in 1998 limited the amount of appearances he made and saw him lose his place in the team. In January 1999, he went on loan toCelta de Vigo and as a result missed out on Manchester United completing the treble. Jordi rejoined United for the 1999/2000 season and helped them win the Premiership once again. However, he failed to establish himself as a first team regular and played his final game for the club on May 14, 2000.Return to Spain and final years
On leaving United, Jordi returned to Spain and signed with
Deportivo Alavés . While at Alavés, he helped them reach the final of the UEFA Cup, playing his part in an epic match against Liverpool. Despite being 2-0 and then 3-1 down, Alavés embarked on a spirited comeback and Jordi’s goal in the 89th minute tied the game up at 4-4. However, an own goal in extra time saw Liverpool lift the cup. Jordi continued to play for Alavés until they were relegated at the end of the 2002-03 season. He returned the following season toBarcelona and joinedRCD Espanyol . Upon his departure from Español, a return to England was mooted when Cruyff had a trial with Bolton Wanderers but Trotters manager Sam Allardyce decided against signing the Dutchman despite Jordi having impressed in friendly matches. From 2004 to 2006, he was semi-retired, keeping fit with Barcelona's B squad and playing in some veteran matches. Cruyff spent the 2007-2008 season playing inUkraine with Metalurh Donetsk. He eventually entered the fashion business, helping develop the "Cruyff" clothing brand.International career
Jordi has played as an international for both the Catalan XI and the Netherlands. He scored on his debut for the Catalan XI in a 5-2 win over
FC Barcelona at the Nou Estadi on June 25, 1995. He also scored in a 5-0 win over Lithuania on December 22 2000 atCamp Nou . Altogether, Jordi has played 9 times for the Catalan XI, including two games against Brazil in 2002 and 2004.His performances for
FC Barcelona also persuadedGuus Hiddink to include him in the Netherlands team for Euro 96. Jordi subsequently made his debut for the Netherlands in a 2-0 defeat in a friendly against Germany on April 24, 1996. He scored his only goal for the Netherlands during Euro 96 on June 13 in a 2-0 win against Switzerland atVilla Park .Honours
FC Barcelona
*Supercopa de España : 1
** 1994Manchester United
*Premiership Champions: 2
**1996-97, 1999-00
*Intercontinental Cup: 1
**1999
*FA Charity Shield : 2
**1996, 1997Deportivo Alavés
*UEFA Cup
** "Runners-Up" 2001ources
* "Barça: A People’s Passion" (1998), Jimmy Burns. [http://www.amazon.com/Barca-Peoples-Passion-Jimmy-Burns/dp/0747545545]
External links
*FIFA player|155664|Jordi Cruyff
* [http://www.knvb.nl/oranje/selectie/spelers/detail?player_id=20031101153456958 Netherlands stats]
* [http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/displayhero_club.asp?HeroID=502 Manchester United Career]
*
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