59 Facts About Ron Vlaar

Ron Vlaar later played in the Premier League with Aston Villa before rejoining AZ in 2015.

Ron Vlaar was included in national team for Euro 2012, and the 2014 Fifa World Cup which they won the bronze medal.

Ron Vlaar played 32 times for the Netherlands national team and has captained both Feyenoord and Aston Villa.

Ron Vlaar's mother, Margaret, was a handball player, while his father was an amateur football player.

Ron Vlaar has two younger sisters, Ellen and Lisan, who are both active in sports as well.

In Hensbroek, Ron Vlaar joined local club Apollo '68 at the age of six.

Ron Vlaar had a powerful kick with both his left and right leg, and a very good one as well.

When Ron Vlaar went to his final year in elementary school, he left Apollo '68.

At his new club, Ron Vlaar's development went well above expectation.

In 2002, Ron Vlaar signed his first youth contract with the club, keeping him in Alkmaar until summer 2007.

Ron Vlaar played three Eredivisie matches and two UEFA Cup matches in his debut season.

Ron Vlaar was part of the starting line-up thrice, while he came in as a substitute in four matches, having a total of seven Eredivisie appearances in his first half-year.

AZ were keen to offer him a new and improved contract, however Ron Vlaar had no interest in staying at AZ as he felt blackmailed by AZ coach Louis van Gaal: "He told me I would only play at emergencies if I wouldn't sign the new contract".

Ron Vlaar was close to a deal with Ajax and was spotted in London, as he was visiting Martin Jol's Tottenham Hotspur with his father and agent.

However, on 28 December 2005, Ron Vlaar signed a three-and-a-half-year deal with Feyenoord.

Ron Vlaar later reflected on decision on rejecting Tottenham Hotspur, saying: "When I was twenty years old I could go to Ajax, PSV and Tottenham", Vlaar tells De Telegraaf.

The doctors found a crack in a bone in his foot, causing Ron Vlaar to be out for almost the entire first half of the season.

Ron Vlaar then helped Feyenoord keep three consecutive clean sheets in three matches between 11 March 2007 and 1 April 2007.

Ron Vlaar started the season well by helping the club keep a clean sheet in the first three league matches.

Ron Vlaar needed a surgery on the cruciate ligament and was out for the rest of the season.

Once Vlaar returned, he formed a strong partnership with Brazilian centre back Andre Bahia.

Ron Vlaar's performance earned praises with his imposing body and impressive displays.

Ron Vlaar switched number shirt from twenty to four ahead of the new season.

Ron Vlaar responded to the transfer speculation, while facing uncertainties over his future with Feyenoord, he wanted to stay at the club and helped them win the league ahead of the new season.

On 15 July 2012, Feyenoord confirmed that Ron Vlaar had travelled to Birmingham to hold talks with Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert with a view to a possible transfer.

On 1 August 2012, Ron Vlaar officially joined Aston Villa, signing a three-year contract.

Shortly after joining Aston Villa and was given a number four shirt, Ron Vlaar spoke out on the club's website about his adapting in the country and aim to be a cult hero among supporters.

However, after making five starts for Aston Villa, Ron Vlaar suffered a calf injury while in training and missed two matches as a result.

Shortly after serving his suspension, Ron Vlaar suffered a calf injury that saw him out for a month.

Ron Vlaar spoke out on two separate occasions that he wanted to stay at the club.

Ron Vlaar was a fan favourite among Aston Villa supporters, who chanted: 'Ooh aah Ron Vlaar'.

Ron Vlaar then helped AZ Alkmaar keep a clean sheet in three matches between 28 August 2016 and 18 September 2016.

Ron Vlaar then started in the next four matches before suffering a calf injury that saw him out for two months.

However, Ron Vlaar missed two matches, due to his fitness concern.

Ron Vlaar helped AZ Alkmaar keep six clean sheets between 19 January 2019 and 16 February 2019.

Ron Vlaar was able to amend his mistakes by helping the club keep three clean sheets in three matches between 10 March 2019 and 30 March 2019.

However, Ron Vlaar suffered a calf injury that saw him out for a month.

Ron Vlaar then started in the next three matches for AZ Alkmaar.

Ron Vlaar made two more appearances, both coming from the UEFA Europa League.

On 10 February 2021, due to physical problems, Ron Vlaar announced his retirement from professional football, ending his seventeen years as a footballer.

Ron Vlaar, reserve captain behind Hedwiges Maduro, was an important player in the Dutch team and was active in every match the team played on the tournament.

In May 2006, Ron Vlaar was called up to the Netherlands U21 for the first time.

Ron Vlaar was part of the Netherlands U21 on the 2006 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, where the Dutch side claimed the trophy for the first time in history.

Ron Vlaar then captained Netherlands U21 in the next two matches against Czech Republic U21 and Republic of Ireland U21.

Ron Vlaar played in every match in the group stage and was the captain of the U21 national team.

Ron Vlaar said on Feyenoord's column that he's determined to make it to the Netherlands squad for the Olympics.

On 6 June 2008, Ron Vlaar was included in the 36 man preliminary squad selection.

Ron Vlaar was selected for the qualifier against Romania in June 2005, but did not play.

Two months later, Ron Vlaar was included in the preliminary squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

Shortly after, Ron Vlaar said he remain optimistic to make it to the squad.

Ron Vlaar then spent the next eighteen months being placed on the substitute bench and didn't play for Netherlands as a result.

In May 2014, Ron Vlaar, who was disappointed to not being included in the squad for the tournament in Germany eight years ago, was finally included in the squad for the World Cup 2014 in Brazil.

Ron Vlaar received much credit for leading the defence and his contributions led Netherlands not losing any matches in the normal time, with the Ron Vlaar-headed defence conceding just four goals.

Ron Vlaar missed, just like Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder, which caused the Dutch to lose and face Brazil in the third-place play-off.

Ron Vlaar was ranked tenth place in the FIFA best players in the ranking system.

Ron Vlaar earned 32 caps for Netherlands national side and scoring once during his nine years time there.

Ron Vlaar was married to Stephanie in 2010 and has two children.

Ron Vlaar has a tattoo name of his two children across his chest.

Ron Vlaar is good friends with Karim El Ahmadi, which they were first teammates at Feyenoord and then Aston Villa, and helped each other settle in England.