Joshua Zirkzee is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a forward for Serie A club Bologna. He was born on May 22, 2001, in Schiedam, Netherlands. Zirkzee is regarded as one of the most promising young talents in European football and has been attracting the attention of top clubs across the continent.
Zirkzee began his youth career at local club ADO Den Haag before moving to Feyenoord in 2017. He made his professional debut for Feyenoord in September 2018, but it was his performances for Bayern Munich that brought him to the attention of the wider footballing world. Zirkzee joined Bayern Munich in 2017 and quickly established himself as one of the most exciting young talents in the squad. He made his first-team debut in December 2019 and went on to score four goals in nine appearances in the Bundesliga that season.
Key Takeaways
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- Joshua Zirkzee is a highly promising young Dutch footballer who plays as a forward for Serie A club Bologna.
- Zirkzee made his professional debut for Feyenoord in 2018 and quickly established himself as one of the most exciting young talents in European football.
- He joined Bayern Munich in 2017 and made his first-team debut in 2019, scoring four goals in nine appearances in the Bundesliga that season.
Early Life and Career
Youth Development
Joshua Zirkzee was born on May 22, 2001, in Schiedam, Netherlands to a Nigerian mother and a Dutch father. He began his footballing career at the age of five with VV Hekelingen, before moving to the youth department of Spartaan ’20 in 2010, where he played alongside his cousin, Nelson Amadin.
Zirkzee then joined ADO Den Haag in 2013, before ending up at Feyenoord Rotterdam in 2017. He played for Feyenoord’s U17 and U19 teams before joining the U19 squad of Bayern Munich in 2017.
Professional Debut
Zirkzee made his professional debut for Bayern Munich on December 14, 2019, in a Bundesliga match against SC Freiburg. He scored his first goal for the club just a few minutes after coming on as a substitute, becoming the third-youngest player in the club’s history to score a goal in the Bundesliga.
In January 2021, Zirkzee was loaned out to Parma Calcio 1913 in the Italian Serie A. He made his debut for Parma on January 16, 2021, in a 2-0 defeat to Sampdoria. He scored his first goal for the club on February 14, 2021, in a 2-2 draw against Udinese.
Zirkzee was then loaned out to RSC Anderlecht in the Belgian First Division A for the 2021-22 season. He made his debut for Anderlecht on August 8, 2021, in a 3-1 win over Union Saint-Gilloise.
In August 2022, Zirkzee signed a four-year contract with Bologna FC 1909.
Club Career
Bayern Munich Impact
Joshua Zirkzee started his youth career at ADO Den Haag before moving to Feyenoord in 2017. The Dutch forward joined Bayern Munich in 2017 and quickly made an impact in the youth teams. He scored 22 goals in 29 appearances for the Bayern Munich U17 team and 11 goals in 14 appearances for the U19 team.
Zirkzee made his first-team debut for Bayern Munich in December 2019 in a Bundesliga match against SC Freiburg. He came on as a substitute in the 90th minute and scored the winning goal in stoppage time, becoming the third-youngest goalscorer in Bayern Munich’s history. He went on to make 10 appearances for the first team in the 2019-20 season, scoring four goals.
Loan Spells
In January 2021, Zirkzee joined Parma on loan for the remainder of the 2020-21 season. He made 11 appearances for the Serie A club, scoring once.
In the 2021-22 season, Zirkzee was loaned out to Anderlecht. He made 23 appearances for the Belgian club, scoring nine goals and providing four assists.
Performance Analysis
Zirkzee is a tall and powerful striker who is comfortable with the ball at his feet. He has a good eye for goal and is an excellent finisher. He is also a good passer of the ball and has the ability to create chances for his teammates.
Zirkzee’s loan spells have given him valuable experience playing in different leagues and styles of football. He will be looking to build on this experience as he continues his career at Bologna FC 1909.
International Career
Netherlands National Team
Joshua Zirkzee has represented the Netherlands at various youth levels, including the U15, U16, U17, U18, U19, and U21 teams. He made his debut for the U15 team in 2015 and his last appearance for the U21 team in 2023.
Zirkzee made his debut for the senior Netherlands national team on November 11, 2020, in a friendly match against Spain. He came on as a substitute in the 81st minute and scored the equalizer in the 91st minute to salvage a 1-1 draw for his team. He has since made 12 appearances for the national team, scoring 5 goals.
Notable Achievements
Zirkzee was part of the Netherlands U17 team that won the UEFA European U17 Championship in 2018. He finished as the tournament’s top scorer with 9 goals in 8 appearances and was named the Player of the Tournament.
In 2024, Zirkzee was named the Serie A Best Young Player of the season. He was also included in the Netherlands national team squad for the 2024 UEFA European Championship, where he helped his team reach the quarter-finals.
Playing Style and Abilities
Position and Role
Joshua Zirkzee is a versatile forward who can play as a center-forward or a second striker. He is comfortable drifting to the left-wing and coming deep to link up play. Zirkzee’s ability to link up play, combined with a keen eye for goal, makes him a complete center forward.
Strengths and Skills
Zirkzee’s playing style is characterized by his physical dominance, clinical finishing, intelligent movement, technical proficiency, and versatility in attack. He uses his strength and aerial ability to challenge for defensive headers and clearances, aiding his team in defending against aerial threats from the opposition.
Zirkzee’s technical proficiency allows him to create chances for himself and his teammates. He has excellent ball control and dribbling skills, which he uses to beat defenders and create space for himself. He is also a good passer of the ball, with the ability to play accurate through balls and long-range passes.
Zirkzee’s clinical finishing is one of his biggest strengths. He has a powerful shot and is capable of scoring from both inside and outside the box. He is also a good header of the ball, with the ability to score goals from crosses and set-pieces.
Overall, Joshua Zirkzee’s playing style and abilities make him a complete center forward who can contribute both in attack and defense.
Off-the-Field
Personal Life
Joshua Zirkzee was born on May 22, 2001, in Schiedam, Netherlands. He grew up in a football-loving family, and his father, Irvin, played for Dutch amateur club VV Schiedam. Zirkzee’s mother, Sylvia, is of Nigerian descent. He has two younger siblings, a brother named Jordan and a sister named Jada.
In his free time, Zirkzee enjoys playing video games and listening to music. He is also a big fan of basketball and supports the Los Angeles Lakers.
Charity Work and Endorsements
Zirkzee is known for his charitable efforts and has been involved in various initiatives throughout his career. In 2020, he donated €10,000 to the Dutch Red Cross to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic. He also participated in a charity match organized by Bayern Munich to raise funds for children’s hospices.
Zirkzee has also landed several endorsement deals throughout his career. In 2021, he signed a sponsorship deal with Nike, joining the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe as one of the brand’s ambassadors. He has also worked with other brands such as Beats by Dre and EA Sports.
Overall, Zirkzee’s off-the-field activities demonstrate his commitment to giving back to his community and his growing influence as a young football star.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Joshua Zirkzee’s preferred playing position on the field?
Joshua Zirkzee’s preferred playing position on the field is as a center-forward. However, he has also played as a second striker in the past.
How has Joshua Zirkzee’s style of play evolved over his career?
Joshua Zirkzee’s style of play has evolved over his career. He has become more confident and assertive on the field, and his ability to score goals has improved. He is also known for his physical strength and aerial ability, which he uses to his advantage in the box.
What are the latest statistics for Joshua Zirkzee’s performance?
As of the current season, Joshua Zirkzee has scored 11 goals and provided 4 assists in 28 appearances for Bologna FC 1909. These statistics are accurate as of June 25, 2024.
Which clubs has Joshua Zirkzee been transferred to and from?
Joshua Zirkzee began his professional football career at Feyenoord in the Eredivisie. He was later transferred to Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga, where he spent several seasons before being loaned out to Parma in Serie A. He is currently playing for Bologna FC 1909 in Serie A.
At what age did Joshua Zirkzee start his professional football career?
Joshua Zirkzee started his professional football career at the age of 16 when he joined Feyenoord’s youth academy.
Is there a release clause in Joshua Zirkzee’s current contract?
There is no information available on whether Joshua Zirkzee’s current contract includes a release clause.
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