Arnaut Danjuma
Dutch footballer.
Arnaut Danjuma is a professional footballer who has made a significant impact in both club and international football. Born on January 31, 1997, in Lagos, Nigeria, Danjuma has established himself as a versatile and dynamic forward. His career began in the Netherlands, where he progressed through the youth ranks of PSV Eindhoven before making his professional debut with NEC Nijmegen in 2016. Danjuma's performances in the Eredivisie caught the attention of Club Brugge, who signed him in 2018. After a successful season in Belgium, he made a move to AFC Bournemouth in 2019, marking his entry into English football.Danjuma's time at Bournemouth was marked by both promise and challenges, as he adapted to the demands of the Championship following the club's relegation from the Premier League.
In 2021, he made a high-profile move to Villarreal, where he truly flourished, showcasing his skills in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League. His impressive performances for Villarreal led to a return to the Premier League with Tottenham on loan in 2023, followed by another loan move to Everton. Throughout his career, Danjuma has demonstrated his ability to adapt to different leagues and playing styles, consistently impressing with his pace, technical ability, and goal-scoring prowess.
Early life & youth football
Arnaut Danjuma's early life and youth career were shaped by his experiences in both Nigeria and the Netherlands. Born in Lagos, Danjuma moved to the Netherlands at a young age. He began his football journey with the youth academy of PSV Eindhoven, joining the club at the age of eight. Danjuma's time at PSV was crucial in developing his technical skills and understanding of the game. However, he faced challenges due to his small stature, which initially hindered his progress. Despite these obstacles, Danjuma's talent and determination saw him progress through the ranks.
In 2014, he made the move to NEC Nijmegen's youth setup, where he continued to develop and eventually made his breakthrough into professional football.
Professional career
Arnaut Danjuma's 2015/16 season marked the beginning of his professional career when he made his debut for Jong PSV in the Eerste Divisie. He played his first match on December 7, 2015, coming on as a substitute in a 3-0 defeat against NAC Breda. Unfortunately, he had limited opportunities that season, making only one appearance for Jong PSV, which highlighted the challenges he faced in breaking into the first team.In the 2016/17 season, Danjuma signed with NEC Nijmegen, where he aimed to gain more playing time and develop his skills.
He made his Eredivisie debut on September 10, 2016, against his former club PSV, where he came on as a substitute in a 4-0 loss. Throughout the season, he struggled to secure a regular starting position, ultimately making 12 appearances, with only one goal to his name, which came on the final day of the season in a 2-0 victory over Heerenveen. Unfortunately, NEC was relegated to the Eerste Divisie through the playoffs at the end of the season, which was a disappointment for the club and Danjuma.The 2017/18 season proved to be a turning point for Danjuma.
Following NEC's relegation, he played a key role in the Eerste Divisie, making 30 appearances and starting 28 of them. His performances were impressive, as he scored 13 goals and provided 16 assists, showcasing his growth as a player and his ability to influence games. Danjuma's standout season caught the attention of larger clubs, setting the stage for his future moves in his career. His time at NEC solidified his reputation as a promising young talent in Dutch football.
Danjuma's 2018/19 season marked his breakthrough in top-flight football with Club Brugge. He made 24 appearances across all competitions, scoring 6 goals and providing 4 assists. His performances in the Belgian Pro League were particularly impressive, with 5 goals in 13 starts and 7 substitute appearances. Danjuma also made his UEFA Champions League debut, scoring once in two appearances.
His goal came against Atlético Madrid in a 3-1 loss, showcasing his ability to perform on the biggest stage. This season was crucial in attracting attention from bigger clubs and earning his first call-up to the Netherlands national team. Danjuma's performances demonstrated his potential as a dynamic winger, combining pace, dribbling skills, and an eye for goal.The 2019/20 season saw Danjuma make a high-profile move to AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League for £13.
7 million. However, his first season in England was challenging. Injuries limited his appearances, and he struggled to adapt to the pace and physicality of the Premier League. Danjuma made only 14 appearances in the league, all as a substitute, failing to score or assist.
Bournemouth's relegation at the end of the season added to the disappointment. Despite the difficulties, this season provided Danjuma with valuable experience and motivation to improve his game for the challenges ahead.Danjuma's 2020/21 season with Bournemouth in the Championship was a resurgence in his career. He became a key player for the team, making 35 appearances and scoring 17 goals while providing 7 assists.
His performances were instrumental in Bournemouth's push for promotion, although they ultimately fell short in the play-offs. Danjuma's form earned him the Championship Player of the Month award for April 2021 and the Bournemouth Player of the Year award. This season showcased Danjuma's ability to dominate at the Championship level, with his pace, skill, and finishing ability coming to the fore. His performances attracted interest from several top clubs, setting the stage for his next career move.
The 2021/22 season saw Danjuma make a €25 million move to Villarreal in La Liga. He adapted quickly to Spanish football, becoming a key player for Unai Emery's side. In La Liga, Danjuma made 23 appearances, scoring 10 goals and providing 3 assists. His impact was even more significant in the UEFA Champions League, where he scored 6 goals in 11 appearances, helping Villarreal reach the semi-finals.
This included crucial goals against Juventus and Bayern Munich in the knockout stages. Danjuma's performances on both domestic and European fronts solidified his reputation as one of the most exciting attacking talents in Europe. His ability to perform consistently at a high level in a top European league and in the Champions League demonstrated his growth as a player and his potential for even greater achievements. Arnaut Danjuma's 2022/23 season was marked by significant changes and challenges.
He began the season with Villarreal, making 10 appearances and scoring 2 goals in La Liga. However, his playing time was limited, and in January 2023, he made a surprising loan move to Tottenham. At Spurs, Danjuma struggled to secure regular playing time, making only 12 appearances across all competitions, mostly as a substitute. He managed to score 2 goals for Tottenham, including one on his debut in the FA Cup against Preston North End and another in the Premier League against his former club Bournemouth.
Despite these contributions, Danjuma failed to establish himself as a key player in Antonio Conte's squad. The season was challenging for Danjuma as he adapted to new teams and playing styles, ultimately not living up to the expectations set by his previous performances at Villarreal. His loan spell at Tottenham ended without the club exercising any option to make the move permanent.The 2023/24 season saw Danjuma embark on another loan move, this time to Everton.
He joined the Toffees on a season-long loan from Villarreal in July 2023, taking the number 10 shirt. Danjuma's start at Everton was promising, with appearances in pre-season friendlies generating excitement among fans. However, as the season progressed, he struggled to secure regular playing time under manager Sean Dyche. By March 2024, Danjuma had made 14 appearances in the Premier League, scoring 1 goal.
His limited impact at Everton led to speculation about his future, with reports suggesting he might leave before the end of his loan spell. Despite his challenges, Danjuma showed flashes of his talent when given the opportunity, demonstrating his ability to play across the forward line. The season highlighted the difficulties Danjuma faced in adapting to different teams and tactical systems, as he sought to recapture the form that had made him a standout player at Villarreal in previous years.
National team
Danjuma's youth international career began with the Netherlands, representing the country of his upbringing rather than his birth nation, Nigeria. He made his debut for the Netherlands U21 team on November 16, 2017, in a UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifier against Andorra. Danjuma quickly established himself as a key player for the U21 side, impressing with his pace and technical ability.His performances at the youth level caught the attention of the senior national team selectors.
Danjuma's rapid rise through the ranks of Dutch football was reflected in his swift progression from the U21s to the senior squad. He received his first call-up to the Netherlands senior team in October 2018, just a year after his U21 debut. This quick ascension highlighted the potential that coaches and selectors saw in the young forward.During his time with the youth teams, Danjuma showcased the skills that would later define his professional career, including his ability to play in multiple attacking positions and his knack for scoring important goals. His youth international experience played a crucial role in his development, exposing him to high-level competition and preparing him for the challenges of senior international football.Arnaut Danjuma's senior international career with the Netherlands began with his debut on October 13, 2018, in a UEFA Nations League match against Germany.
This call-up came as a result of his impressive performances for Club Brugge in Belgium. Danjuma made an immediate impact, scoring his first international goal in his second appearance for the Oranje, a friendly against Belgium on October 16, 2018.Despite this promising start, Danjuma's international career has been characterized by periods of inclusion and omission from the national team. His versatility as a forward capable of playing on either wing or as a central striker has made him a valuable option for the Dutch squad.
However, competition for places in the Netherlands' attacking lineup has been fierce, with players like Memphis Depay, Steven Bergwijn, and Cody Gakpo often preferred.Danjuma's international appearances have been sporadic since his debut. He was part of the Netherlands squad for UEFA Euro 2020 (played in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic) but did not feature in any matches during the tournament. His involvement in World Cup qualifiers and Nations League matches has varied, reflecting the changing preferences of different national team managers.As of 2024, Danjuma has earned 6 caps for the Netherlands, scoring 2 goals.
Player’s style
Arnaut Danjuma's style of play is characterized by his explosive pace, technical skill, and versatility in attacking positions. Primarily deployed as a left winger, Danjuma possesses the ability to play across the front line, including as a second striker or on the right wing. His speed and acceleration make him a constant threat on the counter-attack, while his close ball control allows him to navigate tight spaces effectively.Danjuma is known for his direct running style, often taking on defenders and creating chances for himself and his teammates.
His shooting ability, particularly his powerful and accurate long-range efforts, adds another dimension to his game. Defensively, Danjuma contributes with his work rate and pressing, fitting well into modern tactical systems that require forwards to participate in defensive duties. His adaptability and skill set make him a valuable asset for teams playing various formations and styles.