71 Facts About Dennis Bergkamp

Dennis Nicolaas Maria Bergkamp is a Dutch professional football coach and former player.

Originally a wide midfielder, Bergkamp was moved to main striker and then to second striker, where he remained throughout his playing career.

The son of an electrician, Dennis Bergkamp was born in Amsterdam and played as an amateur in the lower leagues.

Dennis Bergkamp was spotted by Ajax at age 11 and made his professional debut in 1986.

Dennis Bergkamp signed for Italian club Inter Milan in 1993, where he had two underwhelming seasons.

Dennis Bergkamp surpassed Faas Wilkes's record to become the country's top scorer of all time in 1998, a record later eclipsed by Patrick Kluivert, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, and Robin van Persie.

Dennis Bergkamp finished third twice in the FIFA World Player of the Year award and was selected by Pele as one of the FIFA 100 greatest living players.

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

Dennis Bergkamp was brought up in a working-class suburb, in a family aspiring to reach middle-class status.

Dennis Bergkamp was raised as a Roman Catholic by his family and regularly attended church during his childhood.

Dennis Bergkamp was brought up through Ajax's youth system, joining the club at age 11.

In later seasons, Dennis Bergkamp established himself as a first-team player for Ajax.

Dennis Bergkamp scored 29 goals in 36 matches the following season and became the joint top scorer in the league, sharing the accolade with PSV striker Romario.

Dennis Bergkamp was the top scorer in the Eredivisie from 1991 to 1993 and was voted Dutch Footballer of the Year in 1992 and 1993.

Dennis Bergkamp attracted the attention of several European clubs as a result of his performances for Ajax.

Dennis Bergkamp considered Serie A "the biggest league at the time" and preferred a move to either Juventus or Inter Milan.

Dennis Bergkamp scored his first goal for the club against Cremonese in September 1993 but had a difficult time against the highly organised and resolute Italian defences, scoring a further seven goals in the league.

Dennis Bergkamp was the competition's joint top scorer with eight goals and scored a hat-trick against Rapid Bucuresti in the first round.

Dennis Bergkamp managed to score 5 goals in 26 appearances.

Dennis Bergkamp's arrival at the club was significant not only because he was an established international footballer who looked to have his best years ahead of him but because he was a major contributor to Arsenal's return to success after much decline in the mid-1990s.

Dennis Bergkamp struggled to adapt to the English game and failed to score in the club's next six league matches, prompting ridicule by the national press.

On 23 September 1995, Dennis Bergkamp scored his first and second goals for Arsenal against Southampton at Highbury.

Dennis Bergkamp ended his first season with 33 appearances and 11 goals, helping Arsenal finish fifth and earn a place in the UEFA Cup by scoring the winner against Bolton Wanderers on the final day of the season.

Dennis Bergkamp then scored in injury time, controlling a high ball with his left foot and evading his marker Stephen Carr in a tight area to set up his shot.

Dennis Bergkamp received his first red card against Sunderland in January 1997 for a high tackle on midfielder Paul Bracewell in the 26th minute.

Dennis Bergkamp was instrumental the following season in helping Arsenal complete a domestic league and cup double.

Dennis Bergkamp became the club's top scorer with 22 goals and recorded a strike rate of 0.57.

Early in the season away to Leicester City at Filbert Street on 23 August 1997, Dennis Bergkamp scored his first hat-trick for the club.

Dennis Bergkamp played no further part in Arsenal's season after overstretching his hamstring against Derby County on 29 April 1998, missing the 1998 FA Cup Final.

Dennis Bergkamp was consoled with the PFA Players' Player of the Year award, becoming only the third non-British player to be recognised by his fellow professionals as the outstanding performer in English football.

Dennis Bergkamp took the penalty shot but it was saved by goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel.

Dennis Bergkamp ultimately agreed terms on a contract extension in December 2000.

Dennis Bergkamp was used as a late substitute in Liverpool's win over Arsenal in the 2001 FA Cup Final.

Dennis Bergkamp played in 33 league matches, setting up 15 goals, one of which was against Juventus in the second group stage of the Champions League.

Dennis Bergkamp headed in the winner against Liverpool in a FA Cup fourth-round tie on 27 January 2002, but was shown a red card for a two-footed lunge on defender Jamie Carragher, who himself was sent off for throwing a coin into the crowd.

Dennis Bergkamp made his return against Newcastle United on 3 March 2002.

Under pressure from his marker Nikos Dabizas, Dennis Bergkamp controlled the ball with one flick and went around the other side before placing the ball precisely into the bottom right-hand corner to score.

Dennis Bergkamp featured in nine out of the last ten league games, forming a productive partnership with Ljungberg.

You just have to accept that Dennis Bergkamp did a beautiful thing.

On 20 July 2003, Dennis Bergkamp signed a one-year extension at the club.

Dennis Bergkamp committed himself to Arsenal at the end of the season, signing a further extension to his contract.

Against Sheffield United in the FA Cup on 19 February 2005, Dennis Bergkamp was shown a straight red card by referee Neale Barry for shoving defender Danny Cullip.

Dennis Bergkamp was moved by Arsenal supporters chanting "one more year", describing it as "quite special".

Dennis Bergkamp scored an injury-time winner against Thun on Matchday 1 of the Champions League, having come on as a substitute in the 72nd minute.

Dennis Bergkamp himself came on as a second-half substitute and set up the winning Robert Pires goal moments after Nigel Quashie had levelled the scoreline.

Dennis Bergkamp was an unused substitute in his final match for Arsenal against Barcelona in the Champions League final; Barcelona scored twice in the last 13 minutes to overturn Arsenal's early lead and win the competition.

Dennis Bergkamp was the focus of the first match at Arsenal's new ground, the Emirates Stadium.

Dennis Bergkamp kicked off the match with his father, Wim, and son, Mitchel.

Dennis Bergkamp made his international debut for the Netherlands national team against Italy on 26 September 1990 as a substitute for Frank de Boer.

Dennis Bergkamp scored his first goal for the team against Greece on 21 November 1990.

Dennis Bergkamp was selected for Euro 1992, where his national team were the defending champions.

Dennis Bergkamp featured in every game for the national team, getting goals against Morocco in the group stages and the Republic of Ireland in the round-of-16.

At Euro 1996, Dennis Bergkamp scored against Switzerland and set up striker Patrick Kluivert's consolation goal against England, who advanced into the quarter-finals as first in their group while the Dutch finished second and faced France, being eliminated after a penalty shootout.

Dennis Bergkamp scored three times in the competition, including a memorable winning goal in the final minute of the quarterfinal against Argentina.

Dennis Bergkamp took one touch to control a long 60-yard aerial pass from Frank de Boer, brought the ball down through Argentine defender Roberto Ayala's legs, and finally finished by firing a volley with the outside of his right foot, past keeper Carlos Roa at a tight angle from the right.

Dennis Bergkamp made the All-Star team of the tournament, alongside Frank de Boer and Edgar Davids.

On 9 October 1999, Dennis Bergkamp scored his final goal for the Netherlands, against Brazil.

Dennis Bergkamp was schooled in Total Football, a playing style and philosophy which relied on versatility.

Dennis Bergkamp "played in every position apart from goalie" and believed he benefited from the experience of playing as a defender, as it helped him "know how they think and how to beat them".

When he made his debut as a substitute against Roda JC, Dennis Bergkamp was positioned on the right wing, where he remained for three years.

When Dennis Bergkamp joined Arsenal in 1995, he enjoyed a successful strike partnership with Wright, and in later seasons Anelka and Henry, playing in his preferred position as a creative second striker.

Dennis Bergkamp often stated he preferred playing in this deeper role, as he derived more pleasure from assisting goals, rather than scoring them himself.

Dennis Bergkamp twice finished in third place for the 1993 and 1996 FIFA World Player of the Year award and was named in FIFA 100, a list compiled by footballer Pele of the 125 greatest living footballers.

Dennis Bergkamp achieved a unique feat in being voted first, second and third on Match of the Day's Goal of the Month competition in August 1997.

Dennis Bergkamp turned down an offer to scout for Arsenal and instead concentrated on travelling and spending time with his family.

Dennis Bergkamp has been married to Henrita Ruizendaal since 16 June 1993.

Dennis Bergkamp's daughter Estelle is the partner of Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek, the couple's first daughter having been born on 9 April 2022.

Dennis Bergkamp's nephew, Roland Bergkamp is a former professional footballer.

Dennis Bergkamp speaks fluent Dutch, English and Italian.

Dennis Bergkamp's nickname is the "Non-Flying Dutchman" due to his fear of flying.

Dennis Bergkamp decided he would never fly again after the 1994 World Cup, but did consider seeking psychiatric help in 1996:.