Stars Of The Future : Ricky van Wolfswinkel (FC Utrecht)

TFM’s Stars Of The Future is back and we now take a look at Dutch youngster Ricky van Wolfswinkel who plays as a striker or an attacking midfielder for Dutch club FC Utrecht.

Ricky van Wolfswinkel (FC Utrecht)

Rick van Wolfswinkel is a 21 year old Dutch football prodigy. He was born on the 27th of January 1989 in Woudenberg, Holland. Van Wolfswinkel currently plays for FC Utrecht and the Dutch national team.

Youth Career

Rick van Wolfswinkel started his youth career very early in his life at v.v. Woudenberg. It is said that he joined the club at the tender age of 8 or nine and started practicing football everyday until he joined Vitesse.

Vitesse Arnhem

Van Wolfswinkel joined Vitesse Arnhem in 2002 and started his football career at the D-pupils at the age of 13.

Van Wolfswinkel became the A-juniors topscorer of the national first divisions and thanks to his achievements, the young striker received a prize by the KNVB. This prize was handed over by Wesley Sneijder in 2007.

On 5 April 2008, at the age of 19, Van Wolfswinkel made his debut for Vitesse’s first team in the match against Sparta Rotterdam. Van Wolfswinkel was substituted in the 85th minute for Santi Kolk.

Against De Graafschap, in the 2008–09 season, he was in the starting lineup for the first time. In his third match this season, against Sparta Rotterdam, Van Wolfswinkel scored his first Eredivisie goal.

FC Utrecht

The following year, after some eye catching performance for Vitesse, Van Wolfswinkel announced on 29 May 2009 that he will be leaving from Vitesse and that he had signed a three years contract with FC Utrecht.

Van Wolfswinkel For FC Utrecht

Van Wolfswinkel made a blistering start to the 2010/11 Eredivisie season with a goal in a 3-1 loss against Feyenoord.

On the 22 August 2010, the 21 year old scored a brace against Willem II resulting in a 3-0 win for Utrecht.

Van Wolfswinkel followed up on his double with a hattrick against Celtic F.C on the 26th of August 2010 in the Europa League. The youngster’s side went on to win the match with an impressive scoreline of 4-0.

On the 3rd of October, 2010, Van Wolfswinkel scored two penalty kick goals against Ajax to gain a 2-1 away win over the Dutch runners-up.

So far in the season he has scored 10 goals in 11 games in the Dutch Eredivisie, as well as 7 goals in 6 games in the UEFA Europa League.

International career

Van Wolfswinkel has been an active member of the Netherlands Under-19 and Under-20 side. The striker was also used a few times for the Netherlands B side and he even managed to score a goal for his side.

Van Wolfswinkel For Holland

In August 2010, he was called up for the senior national team for a friendly against the Ukraine, during which he made his debut for the senior side.

Van Wolfswinkel currently is facing tremendous competition for a place in the Dutch senior side with more established names such as Robin van Persie, Dirk Kuyt, Klass Jan Huntelaar, Ryan Babel, Wesley Sneijder and Rafael Van Der Vaart all fighting for a spot in the attacking line-up of the Dutch squad.

Whatever the case may be, Van Wolfswinkel is sure to be a regular for the Dutch side in the coming years.

Playing Style

Ricky van Wolfswinkel is making a name for himself as a versatile player who can play in any attacking position.

Van Wolfswinkel has proved that he can play either as a striker or as an attacking midfielder, even though he favours the striker role.

At 6ft 1in, Ricky van Wolfswinkel also has good speed and powerful heading ability.

Video Of Ricky van Wolfswinkel

Full name : Rick van Wolfswinkel
Date of birth : 27 January 1989 (1989-01-27) (age 21)
Place of birth : Woudenberg, Netherlands
Height : 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Playing position : Forward
Current club : FC Utrecht
Number : 9