Biography for
Dennis Bergkamp More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

10 May 1969, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands

Birth Name

Dennis Nicolaas Maria Bergkamp

Nickname

The Flying Dutchman
The Dutchmaster
The Iceman

Height

6' (1.83 m)

Mini Biography

Born 10 May 1969 in Amsterdam, Dennis Bergkamp learned his sublime football skills at the legendary Ajax youth academy. His favourite player, though, was England international Glenn Hoddle. He made his debut for Ajax in December 1986 and remained with the club until 1993, when he joined Italy's Inter Milan for two seasons. His next move was to Arsenal FC, England, where he has remained ever since.

He made his international debut in September 1990 and throughout the '90s was an almost permanent fixture in the Dutch team. He played in the UEFA European Championship of 1992, when Holland lost to eventual winners Denmark in a penalty shootout. He was a member of the Dutch side that participated in the 1994 FIFA World Cup and progressed to the quarter-finals, only to lose to eventual winners Brazil 3-2 in the best match of the tournament that year. Two years later, Bergkamp and Holland had a very poor European Championship, getting comprehensively beaten by England at Wembley in the group stage and then being knocked out by France in another penalty shootout. At the 1998 World Cup, Holland were back to their best. They progressed to the semi-finals, the best performance by a Dutch team in a World Cup since 1978, before losing to Brazil again. Euro' 2000 was Bergkamp's final tournament as a Dutch international and, although Holland progressed to the semi-finals, Bergkamp himself had a relatively poor tournament and failed to score a goal.

Bergkamp finished his international career as Holland's record goalscorer, with 36 goals from 79 matches. Six of his goals were in World Cups. Despite never winning a trophy at international level, he will be remembered as one of Holland's greatest ever footballers.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Anonymous

Spouse

Henrita Ruizendaal

(16 June 1993 - present) 3 children

Trivia

Former footballer; who played for Ajax (1986-1993), Inter Milan (1993-1995), and Arsenal (1995-2006). Bergkamp is now assistant manager of Ajax (2011-Present).

Won 79 caps for the Netherlands between 1990-2000, scoring 37 goals.

Honours with Ajax: UEFA Cup Winners Cup (1987), KNVB Cup (1987, 1993), Eredivisie (1990), UEFA Cup (1992). Honours with Inter Milan: UEFA Cup (1994). Honours with Arsenal: English Premiership (1998, 2002, 2004), FA Cup (1998, 2002, 2003, 2005).

Has aviophobia - a fear of flying.

Good friends with ex-Arsenal and Netherlands player Marc Overmars.

Wife; Henrita (m.1993). Daughters; Estelle Deborah, Yasmin Naomi, and Saffron Rita. Son; Mitchel Dennis.

Named after footballer Denis Law. However, 'Denis' is pronounced differently in the Netherlands, and so was named 'Dennis' instead.

Where Are They Now

(August 2004) Has started his last (10th) season at Arsenal FC by captaining the team in the absence of the regular skipper.

(June 2005) Extends contract with Arsenal following his last season as a professional soccer player.

(2008) Stagaire at Ajax Amsterdam, because he wants to get his coaching diploma.