The Dutchman who scored against Barça, but stopped playing football at the age of 32
Thursday, January 4, 2024 at 6:00 AM
The Eredivisie has had plenty of notable players since its founding in 1956. Every player has their own story. Over the years, there have been many players in the Dutch league from whom much was expected, but who failed to deliver. Football zone delves into the history of missed opportunities. This time the story of Danny Hoesen, the striker with his legendary goal against FC Barcelona.
By Lars Verhage
It is November 26, 2013. Ajax is playing a great match against the great Barcelona in the Champions League. Hoesen is at the forefront of the team from Amsterdam, after having been in the starting line-up for the promises two weeks earlier. After an early goal by Thulani Serero, the Limburger gets the chance to make it 2-0. The striker coolly shoots behind the Spanish goalkeeper Pinto. It ultimately ensured a legendary victory for Ajax, which ensured a European winter. Hoesen creates high expectations with this goal, which he was ultimately never able to live up to.
Youth
Hoesen first saw the light of day on January 15, 1991. He does this in the Limburg city of Heerlen. Here he started playing football at a young age, first at amateur club SV Eikenderveld, after which he later moved to RKSV Groene Ster. Here the attacker receives attention from Fortuna Sittard, which sees potential in him. He eventually went through the entire youth academy of the Limburgers and joined the A-selection at a young age.
In 2008, as a seventeen-year-old, he found himself on the scoresheet more and more often. However, making minutes in the first team is not yet an option at that time, so the right winger will have to watch from the bench. The time has come on August 15, 2008. Hoesen may make his debut for Fortuna. For the time being, it will only be one match for the Heerlen resident. He has come into the spotlight at Fulham, where the striker is allowed to do an internship. Here he makes such an impression that the Cottagers take over Hoesen immediately.
Transfers and rental periods
At the English club, the striker initially joins the promising team. In his first two years in England, Hoesen only played eight games with the Under 21s, but Fulham still sees potential in the attacker. In 2010 it was decided that a rental period was best for Hoesen to develop. The Finnish top club HJK Helsinki is knocking on the door and manages to sign the attacker for six months. Here he gets to work more, and Hoesen is also showing good things. However, his returns are hampered. In fourteen games in cold Finland, the Limburger scored two goals. Still, it is enough for Fulham to extend his contract upon Hoesen’s return.
Once back in West London, the right winger joins the first team. He is getting closer to selection, but the last step is just too much to ask for him. He can sit on the bench once, against Sunderland. However, a debut is not possible.
Hoesen scoring on behalf of Fortuna Sittard in 2011.
A rental period is on the agenda again, and this time to an old acquaintance. Fortuna Sittard rents the old youth product for one season. In Limburg he manages to get the flying hours he wants. Hoesen plays all season and scores goals here and there. In his second period at Fortuna, the attacker played 34 matches, in which he scored 14 times. It does not ensure a return to Fulham, but it does ensure a wonderful transfer to Ajax.
In his first season in Amsterdam, Hoesen immediately joined the main force of trainer Frank de Boer. He made his debut on October 3, 2012, a first match that is the envy of many players. The striker will make his debut in the Champions League, against the great Real Madrid. Although the Royal won 1-4 in Amsterdam, it is still a wonderful moment in the relatively young career of the Limburger.
In his first season at Ajax, Hoesen mainly had to make do with substitute appearances. Yet he managed 25 games and 7 goals. The striker enters the 2013/14 season with high expectations. However, that season is quite different. Initially, Hoesen plays for Jong Ajax, after which he surprisingly finds himself in the starting line-up in the Champions League match against FC Barcelona on November 26. The attacker makes it 2-0 with a nice goal.
At the age of 22, Hoesen has in principle already reached his peak. Yet he wants more. After a few difficult months at Ajax, he was loaned to the Greek PAOK Saloniki. Here too, things don’t really go smoothly before rush hour. In eleven appearances for the Greek top club, he has only scored one goal. 2013/14 ultimately turned out to be a season with high peaks and deep valleys for Hoesen.
The right leg eventually leaves for FC Groningen. Here he wants to put himself in the spotlight again, but this does not work. In fact, in his first season at the Trots van het Noorden he failed to make any progress at all. Hoesen is even left out of the match selection for the KNVB cup final. Yet he managed to play 74 games in his three years at Groningen. The statistics are nothing to write home about. In these 74 appearances he only scored 15 goals.
Adventure at its end
After his three years at FC Groningen cannot be described as a great success, Hoesen hopes to find his happiness elsewhere. The striker is leaving for America, something that was high on his wish list. After several wonderful years in America, the Limburger decides to embark on one more adventure in the Netherlands. He signs with FC Emmen, but after only four appearances his contract is terminated by mutual agreement. Hoesen will stop playing football immediately, at the age of only 32. His body is no longer able to handle professional football, he says. A great career was expected, but nothing turns out to be further from the truth. Yet Hoesen will always be remembered as that striker who scored against FC Barcelona.
2024-01-04 05:00:00
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