Justin Kluivert
Dutch footballer.
Justin Kluivert, born on May 5, 1999, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, is a professional footballer who plays as a winger or forward for AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League. He is the son of former Dutch international Patrick Kluivert and grandson of former Surinamese player Kenneth Kluivert. Justin began his career at Ajax, where he progressed through the youth ranks and made his first-team debut in 2017. During his time at Ajax, he made 44 appearances and scored 12 goals, including a memorable hat-trick against Roda JC in the Eredivisie. In 2018, Kluivert moved to AS Roma for €18.75 million, becoming the fifth Dutch player to join the Italian club.
Over three seasons, he made 53 appearances and scored five goals. Kluivert had loan spells at RB Leipzig, Nice, and Valencia, gaining experience in Germany, France, and Spain. In 2023, he joined Bournemouth, where he quickly made an impact by scoring in the Premier League and becoming one of the few players to score in every Big Five European league.
Early life & youth football
Justin Kluivert grew up in Amsterdam and was immersed in football from a young age, largely influenced by his family's strong footballing background. He is the second of three children from his parents' relationship. Despite his father's professional commitments, which often kept him abroad, Justin spent much of his childhood with his mother and siblings. He and his brothers engaged in various sports, but football was their primary focus. Justin's football journey began at SV Diemen in 2005, where he spent a year honing his skills before moving to Ajax's youth academy in 2007. At Ajax, he received advanced training and developed his talent, eventually signing his first professional contract with the club in 2016.
His time at Ajax's academy was marked by his exceptional skill and potential, leading to a sponsorship deal with Nike at just 15.
Professional career
His professional journey began with Jong Ajax, the club's reserve team, in the Eerste Divisie. Kluivert made his debut for Jong Ajax on September 16, 2016, in a match against MVV Maastricht, coming on as a substitute in a 1-0 loss.His performances with Jong Ajax quickly earned him a call-up to the first team, and he made his Eredivisie debut on January 15, 2017, against PEC Zwolle, replacing Amin Younes. Kluivert's first goal for Ajax's senior team came on March 19, 2017, in a 1-1 draw against SBV Excelsior, notably scored exactly ten years and one day after his father's last career goal.
During the 2016-17 season, Kluivert also participated in the UEFA Europa League, making six appearances and being part of the squad that reached the final, though he was an unused substitute in the 2-0 loss to Manchester United.The following season, 2017-18, saw Kluivert establish himself as a key player for Ajax. On November 26, 2017, he scored a hat-trick in a 5-1 victory over Roda JC, a performance that underscored his burgeoning talent and potential. By the end of his time at Ajax, Kluivert had made 44 appearances in the Eredivisie, scoring 12 goals and providing 10 assists.
His impressive performances caught the attention of several top European clubs, leading to his transfer to AS Roma in the summer of 2018 for €18.75 million.Kluivert joined Roma in June 2018 for a fee of €18.75 million, following a phone call from Roma legend Francesco Totti to Kluivert's father, Patrick.
This move made him the fifth Dutch player to represent the Italian club. Upon arrival, Kluivert chose the number 34 shirt as a tribute to his former Ajax teammate Abdelhak Nouri, who had suffered a career-ending cardiac arrhythmia attack in 2017.In his debut season (2018-19), Kluivert made an immediate impact. On October 3, 2018, he became the youngest Roma player to score in the UEFA Champions League, netting in a 5-0 victory against Viktoria Plzeň.
This goal, his first for Roma, was dedicated to Nouri. Kluivert continued to contribute, scoring his first Serie A goal on December 16 in a 3-2 home win over Genoa. Throughout the season, he made 35 appearances across all competitions, scoring 2 goals and providing 6 assists.For the 2019-20 season, Kluivert changed his shirt number to 99, representing his birth year.
This season saw him become more established in the Roma squad, making 31 appearances and contributing 7 goals and 2 assists across all competitions. His performances showed promise, but consistency remained a challenge.The 2020-21 season marked a change for Kluivert as Roma decided to loan him out to gain more experience. On October 5, 2020, he joined Bundesliga club RB Leipzig on a season-long loan.
This move provided Kluivert with exposure to a different league and playing style. At Leipzig, he made 27 appearances, scoring 4 goals and providing 1 assist. Notable moments included scoring his first Bundesliga goal in a 3-3 draw against Bayern Munich on December 5, and netting in a 3-2 Champions League victory over Manchester United on December 8.For the 2021-22 season, Kluivert was again loaned out, this time to French Ligue 1 club Nice.
This move was seen as another opportunity for the young winger to gain regular playing time and continue his development. At Nice, Kluivert had a productive season, making 31 appearances and contributing 6 goals and 6 assists across all competitions. His performances in France showed glimpses of his potential, particularly his ability to break through opposing defenses. A highlight of his time at Nice was his brilliant performance in the Coupe de France quarter-final against Marseille, where Nice won 4-1.
The 2022-23 season saw Kluivert embark on another loan spell, this time with Spanish club Valencia. This move came after a potential transfer to Fulham fell through due to work permit issues. At Valencia, Kluivert made 26 appearances, scoring 6 goals. This loan spell provided him with experience in yet another of Europe's top leagues, further diversifying his skill set and adaptability.
By the end of his time with Roma in 2023, Kluivert had made 68 appearances for the club, scoring 9 goals and providing 10 assists. While these numbers may not have met the initial high expectations, they reflect a player who contributed to the team when called upon. Justin Kluivert made a significant move to AFC Bournemouth from AS Roma on June 23, 2023, for a reported fee of around €11 million, plus potential add-ons. This transfer marked the end of his five-year association with Roma, during which he spent the last three seasons on loan at various clubs across Europe.
Kluivert's arrival at Bournemouth was met with enthusiasm from the club's management, with chief executive Neill Blake highlighting his versatility and attacking prowess. The transfer also represented the first signing under new head coach Andoni Iraola, who had recently taken over the managerial role.In the 2023/24 season, Kluivert quickly began to make an impact at Bournemouth. He made his Premier League debut on August 12, 2023, coming on as a substitute in a 1-1 draw against West Ham United.
As the season progressed, he showcased his talent and adaptability, scoring his first goal for the club in the EFL Cup on November 1, 2023, against Liverpool. Kluivert's first Premier League goal came shortly after, on November 25, 2023, in a 3-1 victory against Sheffield United. This achievement was particularly notable as it made him only the second player in the 21st century to score in all of Europe's top five leagues.Under Iraola's guidance, Kluivert found a tactical role that suited his skills, often playing as a number 10.
His contributions to Bournemouth's counter-attacking style and high-pressing game were evident, and he quickly became a fan favorite. By the end of the season, Kluivert had made a significant impact, with 32 appearances and 7 goals, demonstrating that he had found a stable environment to continue his development as a player.
National team
Kluivert's youth international career with the Netherlands began in 2013, and he quickly became a key player for the national youth teams. He represented the Netherlands at the 2016 UEFA European Under-17 Championship in Azerbaijan, where he played throughout the tournament and helped his team reach the semi-finals. This performance highlighted his potential on the international stage and contributed to his growing reputation as one of the country's most promising young talents. Kluivert continued his progression with appearances for the Netherlands U19 and U21 teams.
He played 10 matches for the U17s and three for the U19s, before making 20 appearances and scoring five goals for the U21s. His performances at the youth level showcased his technical skills, speed, and ability to influence games from the wing. These experiences provided him with valuable exposure to international competition and helped prepare him for his eventual transition to the senior national team.Justin Kluivert's senior international career began in March 2018 when he received his first call-up from Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman. He made his debut on March 26, 2018, in a friendly match against Portugal, coming on as a substitute for Memphis Depay in the final 12 minutes of a 3-0 victory. This debut marked a significant milestone in Kluivert's career, as he followed in his father's footsteps by representing the Netherlands at the senior level.
Despite the promising start, Kluivert's senior international appearances have been limited. As of October 2023, he has earned two caps for the national team, both in 2018
Player’s style
Kluivert is known for his dynamic style of play, characterized by his speed, agility, and technical prowess. As a winger, he excels in one-on-one situations, using his quick feet and dribbling skills to beat defenders and create opportunities for his team. Kluivert is comfortable playing on either flank, allowing him to cut inside and shoot on his stronger right foot or deliver crosses from the left. His ability to play across the front line adds to his versatility, making him a valuable asset for his managers.
Kluivert's vision and creativity enable him to contribute not only with goals but also with assists, as he has shown throughout his career. Despite his relatively small stature at 1.71 meters, he possesses a low center of gravity that aids his balance and maneuverability on the pitch. His playing style draws comparisons to other Dutch wingers known for their flair and attacking intent, and he continues to refine his skills as he gains more experience at the highest levels of competition.