Clarence Seedorf

Clarence Clyde Seedorf (born 1 April 1976 in Paramaribo) is a Netherlands-Surinamese Association football midfielder, who currently plays for Italian Serie A club A.C. Milan and the Netherlands national football team. Clarence Seedorf is the only player to win the UEFA Champions League with three different clubs - (Ajax, Real Madrid and Ac Milan). Clarence Seedorf is the older brother of Chedric Seedorf. As of 18 June 2009, Clarence Seedorf and former team mate Giuseppe Bergomi are co-owners Lega Pro Prima Divisione formally Serie C side AC Monza Brianza 1912

Club career

Early career

Seedorf started Clarence Seedorf career as a right midfielder for AFC Ajax during the early 1990s. Clarence Seedorf made Clarence Seedorf professional debut on 29 November 1992 against FC Groningen at the age of 16 years and 242 days, making Clarence Seedorf the youngest debutant for Ajax ever. In Clarence Seedorf early career, Clarence Seedorf played a role in Ajax's Eredivisie winning years of 1994 and 1995. Clarence Seedorf was also a key member during Ajax's 1995 UEFA Champions League winning campaign. Clarence Seedorf performances during the season saw Clarence Seedorf move to U.C. Sampdoria in the summer of 1995, although Clarence Seedorf only spent one season there, scoring three goals.

Real Madrid

Seedorf moved to Real Madrid C.F. in 1996, helping that team regain the La Liga title in Clarence Seedorf first season. In Clarence Seedorf second season, 1997-1998, Clarence Seedorf played a major role in the team's Champions League success as Real Madrid secured a 1-0 victory over Juventus F.C. in the final, in Clarence Seedorf second Champions League title of Clarence Seedorf career. While playing for Real Madrid, Seedorf scored a notable goal against Atlético de Madrid, a shot from around 45 yards away. Seedorf's spell at Real Madrid ended when Clarence Seedorf was transferred back to Italy during the 1999-2000 season - this time to Internazionale Milano F.C. for £13.5 million.

Internazionale

Despite helping the team to the Coppa Italia final in 2000, a game that was eventually lost, Seedorf could not help bring any major silverware to the club. However, Clarence Seedorf will be remembered by many Inter fans for Clarence Seedorf two goals against Juventus F.C. in a 2-2 draw on the 9 March 2002, both of which were superb long-range efforts.

Milan

After two years with Internazionale, Seedorf moved to city rivals A.C. Milan in 2002. Clarence Seedorf won the Coppa Italia with Milan in 2003, which was the first time they had won the competition in twenty-six years. In the same season, Seedorf gained Clarence Seedorf third Champions League medal with a third different team, after an all Italian final in which Milan beat Juventus on penalties after a 0-0 draw, despite Seedorf failing to convert Clarence Seedorf own penalty. As a result, Seedorf became the only player to have won Champions' League trophies for three different clubs. The following season, 2003–2004, Seedorf played a role in the Milan side that won Serie A. It was also Seedorf's fourth national league title win of Clarence Seedorf career, after Clarence Seedorf two Dutch title wins with Ajax and Clarence Seedorf one Spanish win with Real Madrid.

Seedorf played a major role as Milan reached the Champions League final again in 2005. Clarence Seedorf started the Istanbul tie against Liverpool F.C. in which Milan contrived to lose a 3-0 lead, eventually losing on penalties after a 3-3 draw. Seedorf did not take any of those spot-kicks. Milan also finished runners-up in the Scudetto to Juventus in 2005.

Another strong season by Milan in 2006, with Seedorf a key figure in most games in partnership with Andrea Pirlo, Kaká and Gennaro Gattuso, saw the team fall just short of another Champions League final when they were narrowly defeated in the semi-finals by eventual winners FC Barcelona.

A match-fixing scandal tarnished Serie A and Milan were weakened by the scandal but were allowed to continue in Europe the following season, which led to their best players staying at the club. Seedorf's role as foil to Kaká became increasingly impressive as the pair combined in style to score and supply the goals which drove Milan past FC Bayern Munich and Manchester United F.C. to another Champions League final, again against Liverpool, beating them 2-1 in Athens, with Seedorf collecting Clarence Seedorf fourth UEFA Champions League medal. In the following season, Seedorf was a part of a Milan squad which won the 2007 FIFA Club World Cup, becoming the first European player to win the trophy with two different clubs (Real Madrid in 1998). Clarence Seedorf ended up winning the Silver Boot for the competition.

At the end of the 2006-07 season, Seedorf was voted best midfielder of the Champions League. Clarence Seedorf played Clarence Seedorf 100th game in the Champions League on 4 December against Celtic F.C.

International career

Seedorf has played in 1996 UEFA European Football Championship, (where Clarence Seedorf penalty miss proved decisive in the quarter final shootout defeat to France), the 1998 FIFA World Cup, 2000 UEFA European Football Championship and 2004 UEFA European Football Championship. However, many have suggested that Clarence Seedorf national career could have been even more impressive if Clarence Seedorf had not let an argumentative and rebellious streak get the better of Clarence Seedorf on several occasions. In addition, Clarence Seedorf has a long history of underperforming during critical moments while playing for the national team. This was one of the reasons why former national team coach Marco van Basten decided to ignore Seedorf when Clarence Seedorf was appointed coach after Euro 2004. Thus, Seedorf did not play in the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying series, as well as missing out on the FIFA World Cup itself.

On 12 November 2006, Seedorf was recalled for the first time since June 2004 as a replacement for the injured Wesley Sneijder. Clarence Seedorf started and played the full 90 minutes in a 1-1 friendly draw against England national football team. In Euro 2008 qualifiers against Romania (0-0 at home) and Slovenia (1-0 away win), Seedorf played 4 and 6 minutes. There were doubts on Clarence Seedorf position within the national team, as Marco van Basten favoured players such as Rafael van der Vaart, Wesley Sneijder and Robin van Persie. On 13 May 2008, Seedorf announced that Clarence Seedorf would not take part in Euro 2008, due to Clarence Seedorf ongoing conflict with van Basten.

Personal life

Seedorf is from a football family. Clarence Seedorf brothers Chedric Seedorf, Rhamlee Seedorf and Jurgen Seedorf, Clarence Seedorf cousin Stefano Seedorf and Clarence Seedorf nephew Regilio Seedorf are all professional football players. Clarence Seedorf father, Johan Seedorf, is a player agent.
Seedorf is married to Demina. The pair have three children and live in Milan. Their three sons all play for the A.C. Milan academy.