Jan Vertonghen
Jan Vertonghen. Biography
One of three children in his family, Jan Vertonghen began his football life in the VK Tielrode youth academy. After growing up, the young player understood he wanted to devote his life to football. Jan joined the Antwerp side Germinal Beerschot youth team. After three years of successful performance he was transferred to Amsterdam side Ajax. In order to get to the youth team, Jan had to play for two junior squads.
Vertonghen made his senior start in football world on 1 July 2005, when he signed the first professional three-year contract with Ajax. Jan managed to become known at the very beginning of his career, after the 2006 KNVB Cup match against Cambuur Leeuwarden. Vertonghen had to take a free kick according to Fair Play requirements and pass it to the rival’s side. However, the kick was so powerful that the ball sailed right in the goal’s top corner. The goal was absolutely unintentional and Ajax manager allowed Cambuur to net a goal in return to restore justice. Jan netted another goal in that match and the Amsterdam side club was victorious (3-1).
In the middle of the summer 2006 then head coach Henk ten Cate asked Vertonghen to join the first team. After losing the UEFA Champions League, the club got an opportunity to play in the UEFA Cup. Jan came on as a substitute for Wesley Sneijder after 78 minutes of the match against FK Austria Wien. The second European match of Vertonghen was a 2-0 defeat from Espanyol.
In 2007 Jan went on loan to Waalwijk. There he got the chance to make his start in the match against NAC Breda, but his temporary team lost 2-1. Vertonghen managed to contribute his first goal for the temporary team in a week after that loss in the 35th minute of a 2-0 win over Heracles Almelo.
In the spring the same year, Jan had an opportunity to play against his parent Ajax. He made a header on the 10th minute. The defender had another chance to add a goal to his scoresheet, but Ajax’s keeper was up to scratch in that game. The match ended in a draw.
In 2012 completed a move to Tottenham Hotspur and became the player of the main squad.
Jan’s first senior international cap was in 2007, when his national team played against Portugal. The Belgium national team lost 2-1. Besides, Vertonghen took part in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
