Gijs Luirink
Encyclopedia
Gijs Luirink (ˈɣɛi̯s ˈlœy̯rɪŋk) (born 12 September 1983 in Amsterdam
) is a Dutch
footballer who currently plays for the Sparta Rotterdam
. He is a former Dutch under-21 international
.
, making 57 league appearances for the club. In 2004, the club was relegated to the Eerste Divisie
, and Luirink moved to F.C. Groningen.
In the season of 05/06, Luirink helped Groningen surprisingly achieve a fifth place and in the following play-offs UEFA cup football. Halfway through the season, Groningen left the Oosterpark Stadium for a new home, the Euroborg. This quickly got the nickname of "the green hell", because it was very difficult for other teams to win there. In the league competition Groningen were unbeaten at their new stadium, only PSV managed to win there in a cup match.
, his contract ran over one year.
side Sparta Rotterdam
, signing a two-year contract.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
) is a Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
footballer who currently plays for the Sparta Rotterdam
Sparta Rotterdam
Sparta Rotterdam is the oldest professional football team in the Netherlands, established on April 1, 1888. Sparta is one of three professional football clubs from Rotterdam, the others being Excelsior and Feyenoord , the latter playing in the Eredivisie.-History:Sparta was first founded in 1887....
. He is a former Dutch under-21 international
Netherlands national under-21 football team
The Netherlands national under-21 football team is the national under-21 team of the Netherlands and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association. The team competes in the European Under-21 Championship, held every two years....
.
Career
He began his career at FC VolendamFC Volendam
Football Club Volendam is a Dutch football club based in Volendam, North Holland, Edam-Volendam. Founded on June 1, 1977, as a result of a split up with RKSV . It currently plays in the Eerste Divisie, holding home games at Kras Stadion, with a 6,260-seat capacity.-History:Football Club Volendam...
, making 57 league appearances for the club. In 2004, the club was relegated to the Eerste Divisie
Eerste Divisie
The Eerste Divisie is the second-highest division of football in the Netherlands. It is linked with the top-level Eredivisie via a promotion/relegation system. It is also known as the Jupiler League due to sponsorship, which is the same name as the top league in Belgium...
, and Luirink moved to F.C. Groningen.
FC Groningen
At Groningen, he earned himself a place in the starting line-up as central defender, playing 20 games in Eredivisie, often partnering with Gibril Sankoh or Arnold Kruiswijk.In the season of 05/06, Luirink helped Groningen surprisingly achieve a fifth place and in the following play-offs UEFA cup football. Halfway through the season, Groningen left the Oosterpark Stadium for a new home, the Euroborg. This quickly got the nickname of "the green hell", because it was very difficult for other teams to win there. In the league competition Groningen were unbeaten at their new stadium, only PSV managed to win there in a cup match.
AZ
As he made a good impression at Groningen and for the Dutch U-21, AZ acted quickly and signed him. He started as a regular, but he appeared in only 16 matches for AZ in the season 06/07 because he picked up some severe injuries that kept him out most of the season. Having not made any appearances in the season 07/08 due to injury, Luirink played during the preparation of the following season but lightning struck again for Luirink, and he suffered another heavy knee injury, and during recovery things got worse as he had several setbacks and suffered from thrombosis in his leg. Despite all that, he recovered and was ready to return in the squad halfway through the season 08/09. Making his official return as a substitute on January twelfth 2009 in a friendly match against AGOVV.RKC Waalwijk
On 14 August 2009 left AZ Alkmaar to play on loan for RKC WaalwijkRKC Waalwijk
RKC Waalwijk is a football club currently playing in the Eredivisie. Its name is derived from 'Rooms Katholieke Combinatie' and was a fusion club of HEC, WVB and Hercules.-History:...
, his contract ran over one year.
SC Cambuur
Due to many injuries Luirink was sent on loan to Cambuur until the end of the season. Then his contract will end and he his free to join a new team.Sparta Rotterdam
On 21 June 2011, Luirink moved from AZ to the Eerste DivisieEerste Divisie
The Eerste Divisie is the second-highest division of football in the Netherlands. It is linked with the top-level Eredivisie via a promotion/relegation system. It is also known as the Jupiler League due to sponsorship, which is the same name as the top league in Belgium...
side Sparta Rotterdam
Sparta Rotterdam
Sparta Rotterdam is the oldest professional football team in the Netherlands, established on April 1, 1888. Sparta is one of three professional football clubs from Rotterdam, the others being Excelsior and Feyenoord , the latter playing in the Eredivisie.-History:Sparta was first founded in 1887....
, signing a two-year contract.