Dutch · Rotterdam, Netherlands · Born 6 August 1983Dutch striker who became Arsenal's captain and Manchester United's Premier League winner, known for spectacular goals and clinical finishing ability.
Robin van Persie was born in Rotterdam, Netherlands in 1983. Arsenal signed him from Feyenoord in 2004. His Arsenal years were marked by constant injury — he missed enormous amounts of time but when available was considered one of the Premier League's finest forwards. His 2011-12 season — 30 Premier League goals — won him the PFA Players' Player of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year and was the finest individual season by a striker in the league that decade. Arsenal chose not to meet his contract demands and Manchester United paid £24 million for him in 2012. His header against Southampton on his birthday — an arching, acrobatic volley from 12 yards while suspended in mid-air — clinched the Premier League title for United and is considered one of the greatest goals in Premier League history. He scored 26 goals in his first United season as they won the title by 11 points. He won the Eredivisie twice — once as a teenager with Feyenoord and once at the end of his career with the same club. He represented the Netherlands 102 times.
Leading Manchester United to Premier League title in 2012-13
How They Played
Clinical finisher with exceptional technique, volleys, and left foot
Lasting Impact
One of the Netherlands' greatest strikers and Premier League's most clinical finishers
Career Honours
- Premier League (2013)
- FA Cup
- FWA Footballer of Year (2012)
- Eredivisie 2x
- Europa League
- Premier League 2013
- FA Cup 2005
- UEFA Cup 2002
| Club | Period | Apps | Goals | Shirt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feyenoord | 2001–2004 | 61 | 90 | #9 |
| Arsenal | 2004–2012 | 278 | 132 | — |
| Manchester United | 2012–2015 | 105 | 58 | — |
| Fenerbahçe | 2015–2018 | 87 | 36 | — |
 Netherlands | — | 102 | 50 | — |
Dutch Athletes