La Liga: Ranking Every Dutchman To Play For Barcelona

Modified Feb 02, 2019 10:10 GMT

Frenkie de Jong seals a move to Barcelona becoming the clubs 20th ever Dutch player

#10 Johan Neeskens

Johan Neeskens was a fan favourite at Barcelona. Joining the club in 1974 from Ajax, Neeskens was a mainstay in the Barça team for the 5 seasons he spent at the club. Known for his tireless work in midfield, the Barcelona faithful dubbed him “Johan Segon”, which translates to Johan the Second. In the 1975-76 season he won the Don Balón Award which is given to the best La Liga Foreign player of the year.

#9 Michael Reiziger

After an injury-filled season with AC Milan, Michael Reiziger was sold to Barcelona in 1997 where he enjoyed a much some successful time. Staying at the club for 6 years, Reiziger is the longest serving Dutch player in Barça history. During that time he was a mainstay in the sides that won two La Liga crowns, a Copa del Rey and a UEFA Super Cup. After making over 200 appearances in all competitions Reiziger left for Middlesbrough in 2004.

#8 Phillip Cocu

Phillip Cocu of Barcelona is challenged by Trevino Sergio Almaguer of Galatasaray

Phillip Cocu arrived at the Camp Nou from PSV in 1998. Known as a defensive midfielder with a knack of scoring goals Phillip Cocu became a hit in Spain. In his first season at the club he played a pivotal role in winning La Liga playing 36 games and scoring 12 goals. Cocu became a leader at the club and was handed the vice-captaincy by Louis van Gaal in 2002. With his contract coming to an end at the 2002-03 season it seemed like Cocu’s time at the club was finished, but he eventually opted against a return to PSV and signed a one year extension. Cocu again continued to be a key player in the side but his contract was not renewed the following season and he did end up getting to return to former club PSV. Following his exit, club president Joan Laporta presented the Dutchman with a plaque to award him for his loyalty to the club. Cocu ended his time at Barcelona as the club's record La Liga and total appearance maker by a foreign player with 205 and 291 respectively before Lionel Messi broke both records in 2011 and 2012.

#7 Edgar Davids

Edgar Davids spent just half a season at Barcelona, but what a half a season it was. Signed on loan from Juventus, manager Frank Rijkaard was under massive pressure as Barcelona entered the new year in midtable. Davids’ arrival lifted the club as they ended the season in 2nd, saving Rijkaard’s job in the process. Barcelona under Rijkaard went on to win back to back La Liga’s and the Champions League. Things could have been very different had Davids not arrived. Davids would be higher up this list had his stay in Spain lasted longer.

#6 Giovanni van Bronckhorst

UEFA Champions League: Barcelona v Levski Sofia

For four seasons Giovanni van Bronckhorst made the left back position his own. Joining from Arsenal in 2003, initially on loan which was made permanent the following season, van Bronckhorst was a key member in the sides that won back to back La Liga’s in 2004-05 and 2005-06, back to back Supercopa de España in 2005 and 2006 and the Champions League in 2006. Making over 150 appearances for the club, van Bronckhorst was always reliable and consistent never letting his side down both in attack and defence.

Edited by Aaditya Narayan