Dennis Bergkamp, the most elegant Premier League footballer ever

There are players who turn football into art, and Dennis Bergkamp certainly belonged in that category. The Dutch striker conquered many hearts with his unparalleled technique, elegant playing style and matchless goals. Join us in looking back at Dennis Bergkamp's brilliant career. Career info sourced from Transfermarkt.

Bergkamp was born on 10 May 1969 in Amsterdam, the son of two football fans. For the name 'Dennis', they drew inspiration from Denis Law, the legendary Scottish footballer of Manchester United.

Bergkamp started his youth career with local club Wilskracht/SNL, but made the move to Dutch giants Ajax at the age of 12.

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There, his talent was spotted by then manager Johan Cruyff (pictured), who had him make his debut against Roda JC in December 1986.

Bergkamp soon picked up a first trophy with Ajax by beating Lokomotive Leipzig in the Cup Winners' Cup final that same season.

Bergkamp's spell at Ajax was a great success. Among others, he won the UEFA Cup and one league title and became the Netherlands's top scorer on three occassions. He also claimed the trophy for Dutch footballer of the year twice.

A move abroad beckoned. It was Internazionale who brought Bergkamp to the Italian fashion capital in 1993, along with his teammate Wim Jonk. He won the UEFA Cup with the Nerazzurri in 1993/94, but did not really find his feet in Italian football.

Arsenal offered him a way out in 1995, a move that proved to be a golden one for both parties.

Bergkamp grew into a star performer for the Gunners, who played excellent football under Arsène Wenger and achieved great results.

Bergkamp claimed three Premier League titles with Arsenal and four FA Cups. He also pocketed several Community Shields and was voted player of the year by the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) and the Football Writers' Association (FWA) in the 1997/98 season.

The striker impressed in the UK with his elegant style of play and flawless ball control. He scored numerous magnificent goals, including a gem against Newcastle in 2002, which was later voted the best goal in Premier League history on the BBC Sport website.

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In 2006, Bergkamp put an end to his successful career, which began in 1986 and in which he grew into one of the most beloved Dutch footballers ever.

Bergkamp was given several nicknames by the football public during his career. One was 'The Non-Flying Dutchman', referring to his fear of flying.

Bergkamp made his mark not only at club level, but also in international football with the Dutch national team. He represented his country at several major tournaments and showed the world his undeniable class.

One of Bergkamp's most memorable goals for the Netherlands was against Argentina in the quarter-finals of the 1998 World Cup in France, causing Dutch commentator Jack van Gelder to lose it.

Bergkamp eventually played 79 times for the Netherlands, scoring 37 goals. When he retired, he was his country's all-time top scorer.

After his active football career, he embarked on a second career as a trainer. In 2008, Bergkamp took up a trainee role at Ajax as part of a fast-track coaching diploma for former footballers.

In October 2008, Bergkamp started working as Johan Neeskens' assistant at the Netherlands B.

In the 2009/10 season, he returned to Ajax. In Amsterdam, he first worked in the youth academy and later as first-team assistant manager and forward coach. In December 2017, the two sides parted ways.

This was followed in 2019 by a brief spell as assistant at Almere City's U21, where his son Mitchel was playing at the time.

However, Bergkamp's coaching career pales in comparison to his career as a footballer, which earned him a statue outside Arsenal's stadium. A testament to the indelible impression the striker has left in football.

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