Biography
Who is Daniel Van Buyten?
Early Career and Club Moves
Daniel Van Buyten began his senior club career at Charleroi playing as a striker before transitioning to a centre back position. This tactical change proved vital, helping him secure a move to Standard Liège in 1999. In the summer of 2001, he transferred to French side Olympique de Marseille where he spent two and a half productive seasons under contract.
In January 2004, Daniel joined Premier League club Manchester City on a short-term loan until the end of the season. He performed well during his time in England, earning praise from his manager for well-known performances against Chelsea before returning to Marseille.
Success with Hamburger SV and Bayern Munich
Following his return to France, Daniel signed a four-year deal with Bundesliga club Hamburger SV in June 2004 to replace the outgoing captain Nico-Jan Hoogma. He made 61 German top-flight appearances for Hamburg before securing a transfer to Bayern Munich in June 2006 under a contract lasting through the 2009 to 2010 season.
During his debut season in Munich, Daniel formed an effective defensive partnership with Lúcio. He scored crucial goals for the Bavarian club, including two away goals against Milan in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final on April 3, 2007. He later signed contract extensions in 2010 and 2012, remaining an integral part of the squad.
Champions League and International Career
In the 2012 to 2013 campaign, Daniel became an essential member of the Bayern Munich backline in a three-way rotation alongside Dante and Jérôme Boateng. He celebrated his third Bundesliga championship when the team defeated Eintracht Frankfurt on April 6, 2013. He later played the full ninety minutes in the semi-final victory over Barcelona, helping Bayern reach the final and becoming the first-ever Belgian winner of the UEFA Champions League.
At the international level, Daniel received his first cap for the Belgium national team on February 28, 2001, in a match against San Marino. He accumulated 83 caps over a 13-year international career, participating in the 2002 FIFA World Cup in South Korea and Japan as well as the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Height and Personal Life
Daniel Van Buyten stands at a height of 203 centimeters. His father, Franz Van Buyten, worked as a popular professional wrestler in Europe between 1960 and 1980, while his mother, Renate, is German. Throughout his football career, he earned the nickname Big Dan due to his towering physical presence and strong aerial ability on the pitch.
Birthday and age
Daniel Van Buyten was born on February 7, 1978, which makes Daniel 48 years old today. That birthday falls under the Aquarius sign. Daniel shares the date with 36 other famous people.
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