Dennis Bergkamp Biography, Football Career, Wife, Family, Net Worth

Dennis Bergkamp is a Dutch ex-football player who is considered to be among the greatest soccer stars to have ever come out of the country. He received several accolades during his playing career and awed fans with his incredible skills and stamina. He began his career as a midfielder before being converted to play as a striker.

Bergkamp played for the Netherlands national team as well as for clubs such as Ajax and Arsenal. After his career as a football player, he spent over six years as the assistant manager of Ajax.

Dennis Bergkamp Biography

Dennis Bergkamp was born Dennis Nicolaas Maria Bergkamp in Amsterdam Netherland on 10th May 1969 to the family of Wim and Tonnie Bergkamp. He has three brothers.

Born into a Roman Catholic family, young Bergkamp attended the Catholic Church throughout his childhood and he remains a catholic to this day. Bergkamp’s father despite being an electrician was also a footballer in the Netherlands lower league although as an amateur. Bergkamp has always referred to Glenn Hoddle as one he always looked up to in football growing up as a child. This invariably led to his passion and love for the game.

He began his youth career as a forward under the Ajax’s club youth system as an 11-year-old and remained there for 5 years (1981-1986).

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Dennis Bergkamp’s Football Career

Dennis Bergkamp, on 14^th December 1986, made his professional debut for Ajax under Johan Cruyff, the manager at the time. The match was against Roda JC and Ajax emerged victorious by two goals to nil. On 22^nd February of the following year, he netted his first goal at the senior level in a match against HFC Haarlem.

At the end of his debut season (1986-1987), he had bagged 23 appearances, impressing fans with his scoring ability. Dennis Bergkamp stayed at Ajax from 1986-1993 making 185 appearances and finding the back of the net successfully 103 times. He was voted Dutch Footballer of the Year in 1992 and 1993 following his impressive form. He invariably earned Top Scorer in the Eredivisie in these two seasons.

Following a successful spell at Ajax, several top European clubs like Real Madrid, Juventus, and Inter Milan jostled to have Dennis in their ranks. He later opted to join the Serie A giants Inter Milan in a joint move with fellow Ajax teammate Wim Jonk worth £7.1 million.

His stay at Inter Milan was relatively short owing to a series of issues including the manager not finding a good forward partnership for him. However, in his 2 seasons at the club, he made 11 goals in 52 appearances and even went on to become the joint top goal scorer in the UEFA Cup with 8 goals in his first season at the club.

In the summer of 1995, the Arsenal football club of London signed Dennis Bergkamp at an estimated transfer fee of £7.5 million. In his debut season, Bergkamp mesmerized fans with his skills. The following season, he played a vital role in helping the club achieve resounding success i.e. winning the domestic league and cup double. His spell at Arsenal was in all a success as he won the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award in 1998. During his time at Arsenal, he scored a total of 87 goals in 315 appearances.

Dennis Bergkamp’s international career started at the U-21 level in 1989 where he made 2 appearances. He also appeared 79 times for the Netherland senior team, scoring 37 goals.

Throughout his football career at both international and club levels, he bagged a total of 301 in 811 appearances. He won the following:

In 1991 and 1992, Bergkamp won the Dutch Footballer of the Year award. He placed third twice in 1993 and 1996 in the FIFA World Player of the Year. In 2007, he was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame amongst other accolades accorded him throughout his career.

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Upon retirement, Dennis went on to become an assistant manager at his boyhood club, Ajax, from 2011 till 2017 when he was fired.

He was inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame in 2021.

Wife and Family

Dennis Bergkamp is a married man. The former footballer is married to a woman called Henrita Ruizendaal. The couple tied the knot as husband and wife on 16 June 1993 and have been together ever since.

The happy union is blessed with three daughters named Estelle Deborah Bergkamp, Saffron Rita Bergkamp, and Yasmin Naomi Bergkamp. They also have a son named Mitchel Dennis Bergkamp.

His daughter Estelle is the partner of Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek. Mitchel, his son is also a football player. He plays for the Bromley Football Club in England.

Net Worth

Authentic information regarding Dennis Bergkamp’s net worth has not been published so far but following his successful football career, it is estimated to be at £40million as of 2018.