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Wednesday, September 19, 2007


is a Dutch football striker, currently playing for Cardiff City.

Club career
Hasselbaink began his footballing career in the Netherlands, first with Telstar for whom he played until 1991, and then AZ Alkmaar. He stayed at Alkmaar for three seasons before being released by the club and ended up playing non-league football.

Netherlands
He signed for Portuguese side Campomaiorense in August 1995 but, after only one season, Hasselbaink was signed by Boavista where he first came to prominence. He scored 20 goals in 29 league appearances for the club as well as helping them win the Portuguese Cup.

Portugal
His prolific goalscoring caught the attention of several European clubs, and he was transferred to English Premier League side Leeds United for £2 million in June 1997. He continued his prolific goalscoring record with Leeds, netting 23 goals in all competitions in his debut season, and 21 in the next, helping Leeds finish 4th in the Premiership. His 18 league goals that season made him the Premier League's joint top goalscorer.

England
After rejecting a new contract offer from Leeds and subsequently requesting a transfer, Hasselbaink was sold to Spanish club Atlético Madrid for £12 million in 1999. He adapted to the Spanish game well and scored prolifically, this time scoring 24 goals in 34 La Liga appearances and 32 in all competitions, though the club were still relegated.

Back to England
Hasselbaink made his debut for the Dutch national side at a late age. His time as an international suffered due to fierce competition for the strikers' role, with the presence of Dennis Bergkamp, Patrick Kluivert, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Pierre van Hooijdonk and Roy Makaay, greatly limiting his opportunities.
In 2004 Hasselbaink decided to quit the Dutch national team and no longer made himself available. His most noteworthy accomplishment as an international was playing at the 1998 World Cup in France, and having started for the Netherlands in their opening game against Belgium.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink In popular culture

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