Johnny Heitinga Bio Send To Friend  

Everton manager David Moyes signed Dutch international Johnny Heitinga in the 2009 summer transfer window for a fee of £6million, which could rise to £7million.

Schooled at Ajax, the technically gifted defender can play in a number of positions, including centre-back, right-back and as a defensive midfielder.

After graduating from the famous Amsterdam youth academy Heitinga made his debut for Ajax against Eredivisie rivals Feyenoord in August 2001 and went on to establish himself as a first team regular along with the emerging talents of Rafael van der Vaart and Wesley Sneijder and won the league title.

Although a series of injuries then restricted his progress Heitinga returned to action in 2003/04 and re-established himself as first choice centre-back and won another Eredivisie with Ajax.

After adding the KNVB Cup in 2002, 2006 and 2007 the defender moved to Atlético Madrid at the end of the 2007/08 season for a fee of £8.8million.

It seems that Heitinga was reluctant to leave La Liga and head to Goodison Park and said "I want to stay in Madrid" before eventually signing for the Premier League club.

Having progressed through the Dutch international youth teams, Heitinga made his senior debut against the United States in 2004 and coach Marco van Basten took him to Euro 2004, World Cup 2006 and was also called up to the Dutch squad for Euro 2008.