Gregory van der Wiel

A Dutch footballer Gregory Kurtley van der Wiel plays for Paris Saint-Germain as a defender. Gregory was born on 3 February 1988 in Amsterdam.

Van der Wiel started his career at the academies of Ajax and Haarlem. In 2005, after spending several years with the junior side of Haarlem, the defender rejoined Ajax, where he completed his formation. Gregory worked his way through the ranks in the club, starting off with the youth team before graduating to the senior squad. In 2007, the footballer debuted for the main team in a game with FC Twente, when he substituted his teammate Jaap Stam. The rest of the 2006/2007 season was lined with four appearances made. Together with the team he won the KNVB Cup and the Dutch Super Cup.

In 2008, after vying for a first XI place, Gregory finally became a fixture in the Ajax’s starting line-up. His first goal for the main eleven was scored in a match against FC Utrecht. Van der Wiel demonstrated the extent of his talent and temperament during the stint. His career at Ajax was lined with 12 goals amassed in 130 games. In 2012, the defender was eventually sold to the French side Paris Saint-Germain.

On international level, Gregory debuted for the Netherlands U-21 team in 2007, when he was chosen to take part in the Toulon Tournament. In 2009, the defender substituted John Heitinga in a match with Tunisia. That was his debut for the Netherlands full side. In March 2009, van der Wiel participated in the World Cup qualification match against Scotland.

Gregory has a real taste for trophy-winning – in 2009, he was voted the Dutch Young Player of the Year. In 2008, whilst playing for AFC Ajax, he was awarded with the title of the Talent of the Year. Apart from these, he and the Netherlands national squad finished the second at the 2010 World Cup.