Biography
Who is Ron Vlaar?
Early life and background
Ron Vlaar was born in Hensbroek, which is located in North Holland. He grew up in a family where sports were very important. His mother, Margaret, competed in handball, while his father played football as an amateur.
He has two sisters named Ellen and Lisan. Both of them are also active in athletics. Ellen practices gymnastics, and Lisan is a volleyball player.
Youth football career
The player began his path at age six with a local club called Apollo '68. He eventually moved to SVW '27 in Heerhugowaard to seek higher competition. His rapid progress led to an invitation to the AZ Alkmaar youth academy in 2002.
During his time at AZ, he initially played as an attacking midfielder. His coaches later moved him to a defensive role to better use his skills. He signed his first youth contract with the club in 2002, remaining there until the summer of 2007.
Professional club career
Ron Vlaar made his Eredivisie debut for AZ Alkmaar in April 2005. Shortly after, he played in a UEFA Cup semi-final against Sporting Lisbon. He later moved to Feyenoord in December 2005 after deciding not to join Tottenham Hotspur.
At Feyenoord, he became a regular starter and played as a centre-back. He faced several challenges, including a foot injury that kept him out for much of the 2006 season. Despite these setbacks, he continued to develop as a key player for the club.
His career also included a period playing in the Premier League for Aston Villa. He served as a captain for both Feyenoord and Aston Villa during his professional tenure. He eventually returned to play for AZ Alkmaar in 2015.
International career highlights
The defender represented the Netherlands at various youth levels. He achieved success with the U20 team during the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship. He also played for the U21 side during the UEFA European Under-21 Championships in 2006 and 2007.
Ron Vlaar earned 32 caps for the senior Netherlands national team between 2005 and 2014. He was a member of the squads for Euro 2012 and the 2014 FIFA World Cup. During the 2014 tournament, his team secured the bronze medal.
Birthday and age
Ron Vlaar was born on February 16, 1985, which makes Ron 41 years old today. That birthday falls under the Aquarius sign. Ron shares the date with 53 other famous people.
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