| Giovanni van Bronckhorst | |||
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Shirt Number: 16 Position: Midfielder Date of Birth: February 5, 1975 Birthplace: Rotterdam, Holland Profile: Glasgow Rangers found their hands tied by the summer of 2001 with star midfielder Giovanni van Bronckhorst just a year away from being able to leave the club on a Bosman free. It was no secret that he wanted to test himself in the Premiership. In the end, they took the money, as van Bronckhorst became a Gunner in June 2001 for a fee not unadjacent to �8.5million. Nevertheless, that sum was significantly less than the figures floated about the previous winter when Manchester United, Fiorentina and others were rumoured to be interested in him. He's no worse a player - the lower price reflects the fact that he would have been a free agent within 12 months. Having won the treble in his first season with the Gers, and the double in his second, this Dutch international midfielder was conspicuously absent through injury in 2000-01 as Martin O'Neil's Celtic romped to a treble of their own. The troublesome groin injury that kept him out of the game is now fully healed. Employed on the left flank in Scotland, his preferred position is in the centre of the park. Enjoyed considerable success with hometown club Feyenoord, his first club - he signed for them as a seven-year-old. League titles and a decent run in the Cup-Winners Cup, though here, as with Rangers, he suffered Champions League disappointment. Despite his obvious talents, has yet to earn a regular spot in the international set-up, though time is very much on his side. |
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