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Dennis Bergkamp was born in Amsterdam to Man Utd. supporters. He was named after Denis Law and as he grew older began to support Tottenham. Not quite the type of player you'd expect to join Arsenal now is he? As a child, Bergkamp developed a talent for football and was spotted by Dutch legend Johan Cruyff at the age of twelve and quickly inserted into the famed Ajax youth system. It was with much publicity that Johan Cruyff put Bergkamp into the toils of professional football. Bergkamp had been a member of Ajax for five years and at the age of 17 made his debut in Dutch football against Roda JC. The following season Bergkamp began to gel with the first team and helped Ajax to win the Cup Winners Cup against Leipzig as well as the Dutch cup in the same year.. As the years increased so did Bergkamp's talent. In 1990 Bergkamp led Ajax to the Dutch championship and won his first cap with the Dutch national squad (nicknamed Oranj by the Dutch people). Bergkamp was getting better and better by the minute and his super-star status was becoming evermore recognisable. In 1991 he proved just that by sharing the Dutch equivalent of the Golden Boot with Romario. 1992 was also a fine year for Bergkamp. With the European championships approaching, Bergkamp led the Dutch first division in scoring once again and was voted player of the year in Holland, leading Ajax to European glory with the UEFA Cup. It was soon time for the European championships, held in Sweden and Bergkamp would have a pivotal role in the Dutch squad. Bergkamp was the leading scorer in the tournament and led Holland to the semifinals where they lost out on penalties to eventual winners Denmark. Bergkamp's international reputation was now sealed. Bergkamp returned to Holland ready to bring Ajax glory once more and found the Dutch league becoming easier as the season progressed. Ajax finished the season with a Dutch cup victory and Bergkamp finished with the Dutch Golden Boot and another player of the year award. Bergkamp needed a new challenge and found just that in Internazionale. Bergkamp joined Inter from Ajax in 1993 for what is believed to be £4,000,000. Joining Bergkamp was Wim Jonk, a good friend and fellow national squad member. It can be said that Bergkamp's time at Inter was hectic and definitely not what he expected. Bergkamp was no longer being played in his preferred centre forward role and defence came before offence. Bergkamp craved total attacking football and that was not what Inter or Serie A were about. Bergkamp's first season in Italy was not productive though it was good preparation for the upcoming world cup. World Cup '94 was Bergkamp's first and he came in enthusiastic about bringing Holland the victory. The World Cup became a rather bizarre period of time for Bergkamp when Holland had qualified for the round of 16. On the plane a journalist (who at this time can be labeled a "gonzo" journalist- Don't know? don't ask!) told several people of a bomb located on the plane and Bergkamp became emotionally scarred upon thinking that, had there been a bomb, he could've died. Holland were eliminated in the quarterfinals by Brazil and Bergkamp returned to Italy for what would be his final season in Serie A. Times became even harder for Bergkamp when Jonk left for PSV Eindhoven. Although Inter were doing well in the UEFA Cup, Bergkamp felt that his patience with Inter had evaporated and he requested a move out of Italy. Almost immediately after Inter won the UEFA Cup, Bergkamp made his dream of a move public and Arsenal were quick to inquire about the price wanted by Inter for his signature. Arsenal had been in a bit of a managerial crisis and the current manager, Bruce Rioch was eager to pick up a good central forward/striker to help fuel his career at Highbury. The acquisition of Bergkamp was quite simple with Rioch, who had only been on the job for several weeks, making a £7.5m bid that was quickly agreed to by Inter. Arsenal was in a transition period during Bergkamp's first season but it wouldn't be too hard to adjust. Bergkamp's debut for Arsenal came against Middlesbrough on opening day. His skill on the pitch was obvious but he failed to make his name on the scoresheet. It wasn't until late september that Bergkamp scored. In a 4-2 win over Southampton Bergkamp scored two of the goals and made his name in English football. The next season saw another managerial crisis with chairman Peter Hill-Wood announcing the departure of Bruce Rioch. Frenchman Arsene Wenger was soon called upon to fill the position and Arsenal continued the 1996-97 season. Wenger's first season at Arsenal placed them third and gave them a UEFA Cup spot for the following season. Bergkamp's season, however, saw him hampered by a hamstring injury that led to his absence in the UEFA Cup campaign that year. He did however finish with 14 goals that helped keep Arsenal in third place. The double season of 1998 was also pivotal for Bergkamp who scored 22 goals including several key goals in the FA Cup. Bergkamp's hat trick in the 3-3 draw with Leicester was also a season highlight. Bergkamp's fear of flying prevented him from participating in the UEFA Cup away leg v. PAOK Salonika which subsequently eliminated Arsenal from the tournament. But Arsenal did perform well when Bergkamp wasn't available. Bergkamp was absent from the semfinal and final of the FA Cup which completed our double triumph. Bergkamp's worth was proven when Real Madrid put up a bid of £20m for him which was of course, rejected. Bergkamp did remind the footballing world that he wanted to finish his career at Arsenal when he signed a contract that would keep him at Arsenal into the next millenium. Bergkamp began the 1999 campaign horribly, scoring only a few goals in the first half of the season. Bergkamp rebounded after a slight injury and finished the season on top form with 16 goals Club honours list, listed chronologically (all with Arsenal unless noted otherwise) 1987- European Cup Winners Cup Title (Ajax) Personal Honours list, listed chronologically (all with arsenal unless noted otherwise) 1991- Dutch First Division Top Scorer shared with
Romario (Ajax)
Place of Birth: Amsterdam Holland Date of Birth: 18/5/69 Height: 6 ft Weight: 12 st. 6 lbs. Previous Clubs: Arsenal from Internazionale- £7.5m Internazionale from Ajax- Undisclosed Arsenal Debut: 20/8/95 v. Middlesbrough (1-1) Media Images
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