Theo Janssen

Theo Janssen
Personal information
Date of birth	27 July 1981 (age 42)
Place of birth	Arnhem, Netherlands
Height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Vitesse
Number	34
Youth career
	Vitesse
Senior career*
Years	Team
1998–2008	Vitesse
2003–2004	→ Genk (loan)
2008–2011	Twente
2011–2012	Ajax
2012–	Vitesse
International career‡
2006–	Netherlands
	*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 1 July 2013; ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 9 February 2011

Theo Janssen (born 27 July 1981) is a Dutch footballer who currently plays in midfield for Vitesse. He started season 2012 playing for Ajax before transferring back home to Vitesse Arnhem. Janssen was a key player at FC Twente for three seasons and helped them win the Eredivisie and qualify for the Champions League for the first time in their history. Prior to joining Twente he was part of the senior squad of Vitesse for ten seasons. In 2011 he was named Dutch Footballer of the Year.^[1] 24 August 2012 Theo Janssen signed a 2-year contract with Vitesse Arnhem.^[2]

Club career

SBV Vitesse

Janssen began his career at amateur club Vitesse Arnhem 1892 and played from 1995/1996 in the reserves of SBV Vitesse. After breaking through in several youth teams Janssen made his professional debut on 9 December 1998 in the first team against NAC Breda, which Vitesse won 2–0. Janssen came in as substitute in 90th minute to replace Marian Zeman. Janssen played 5 games that season for Vitesse. The next season Janssen made 17 appearances for Vitesse. In 2000/2001 Janssen had become a starter for Vitesse and made 30 appearances, in which he scored once. In September Janssen broke his shin, he played 10 games total that season, and scored 1 goal.

KRC Genk

In 2003/2004 Janssen was loaned to KRC Genk in Belgium. He played 15 games for games and scored 2 goals. In January 2004 Janssen returned to Vitesse.

Return to SBV Vitesse

Janssen played another 16 games in 2004 in which he scored one goal. Janssen played primarily on the wing in the following season. His leg operation was sometimes troubling for Janssen, nevertheless Janssen made 28 appearances in which he scored 8 goals. In the season 2005/2006 Janssen played 30 games for Vitesse and scored 7 goals. Janssen's good performance at Vitesse was not unseen, as he received an invitation for the Dutch national football team for a friendly game against Ecuador on 1 March 2006. However, Janssen could not play, due to surgery on his tonsils. Janssen remained playing for Vitesse in the following season, and was again selected to play for Oranje. This time he was able to play and made his debut for Oranje in a friendly against Ireland. He came in the 83rd minute for Stijn Schaars. On 2 September 2006 Janssen started for Oranje in a European Championship qualifier against Luxembourg. Janssen made only 22 appearances for Vitesse that season, due to injuries and suspensions. Vitesse trainer Aad de Mos told Janssen he could search for another club, despite and existing contract until 2009. During the 2007/2008 season, Janssen once again got injured, this time for a several months. He returned playing in late 2007.

FC Twente

In mid-April 2008 FC Twente contracted Janssen. The transfer fee was approximately worth 1,5 million euros, and was eligible to play for FC Twente in the upcoming season. Janssen signed a contract until 2012. In November 2009 Janssen was suspended by Twente for two months, after a drunk-driving accident.^[3] One of his passengers, former professional goalkeeper Kevin Moeliker, ended up in hospital where he was kept in a coma for several days. He lost one of his ears in the accident.^[4] Janssen won the Eredivisie that year with FC Twente. In July Janssen was invited by van Marwijk to play a friendly against Ukraine. In season 2010/11 Janssen had his best season so far. He won the Johan Cruijff Schaal and the KNVB cup with FC Twente. Janssen scored 20 goals in 46 appearances, which made him club top scorer. Janssen scored some important goals for Twente like against Internazionale, Werder Bremen, Ajax and PSV. Janssen was voted best player of the Eredivisie of the season 2010/11.

AFC Ajax

On 23 May 2011 Ajax and Twente agreed on a transfer of Janssen to Ajax. The transfer fee was worth 3,2 millions euros. Janssen signed a contract with Ajax for 2 years. He was handed the number 16 shirt, previously worn by Luis Suárez. His first couple of matches for Ajax were not very successful, as coach Frank de Boer decided that Janssen had to play as a defensive midfielder, which is not Janssen's best position. After he was playing in a more attacking position, Janssen became very important in achieving the league victory in 2012.

Return to Vitesse

Janssen wanted to leave Ajax, after he had heard from Frank de Boer that he would be playing less matches in the coming season. He refused to play a role as substitute. On 27 August 2012, Janssen returned to Vitesse for a fee of approximately 600,000 euro's.^[5]

International career

Janssen made his debut for the Dutch national team against the Republic of Ireland in August 2006.

International appearances and goals
App	Date	Venue	Opponent	Result	Goal	Competition
2006
1	16 August 2006	Lansdowne Road, Dublin	Republic of Ireland	0–4	0	Friendly
2	9 September 2006	Stade Josy Barthel, Luxembourg	Luxembourg	0–1	0	Euro 2008 qualifying
2010
3	11 August 2010	Donbass Arena, Donetsk	Ukraine	1–1	0	Friendly
4	17 November 2010	Amsterdam ArenA, Amsterdam	Turkey	1–0	0	Friendly
2011
5	9 February 2011	Philips Stadion, Eindhoven	Austria	3–1	0	Friendly

Career statistics

Club performance

As of 1 July 2013

Club performance			League		Cup		Continental		Other		Total
Season	Club	League	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Netherlands			League		KNVB Cup		Europe		Other		Total
1998–99	Vitesse	Eredivisie	5	0	0	0	0	0	-		5	0
1999–00			17	0	0	0	5	0	-		22	0
2000–01			30	1	2	0	4	0	-		36	1
2001–02			10	1	3	1	-		-		13	2
2002–03			28	0	2	0	6	0	-		36	0
2003–04			16	1	0	0	-		-		16	1
Belgium			League		Belgian Cup		Europe		Other		Total
2003–04	Racing Genk	Belgian Pro League	15	2	0	0	-		-		15	2
Netherlands			League		KNVB Cup		Europe		Other		Total
2004–05	Vitesse	Eredivisie	29	8	3	0	-		-		32	8
2005–06			30	7	1	1	-		-		31	8
2006–07			22	1	1	0	-		-		23	1
2007–08			19	2	1	0	-		-		20	2
2008–09	FC Twente	Eredivisie	28	4	6	2	8	0	-		42	6
2009–10			28	1	2	0	10	1	-		40	2
2010–11			30	13	4	4	11	3	-		45	20
2011–12	Ajax	Eredivisie	29	8	2	0	6	0	1	0	33	7
2012–13	Ajax	Eredivisie	2	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	3	1
2012–13	Vitesse	Eredivisie	27	1	4	2	0	0	-		31	3
Total	Belgium		15	2	0	0	-		-		15	2
Total	Netherlands		350	49	30	10	52	4	2	0	434	63
Career total			365	51	30	10	52	4	2	0	449	65