Jelle Van Damme
Encyclopedia
Jelle Francois Maria Van Damme (ˈjɛ.lə vɐn ˈdɑ.mə) (born 10 October 1983) is a Belgian
international footballer who can play as a central defender
, left back or left sided midfielder
. He is signed to Belgian Pro League club Standard Liège
.
, before he made a short move to neighbour club Lokeren where he played in the youth teams. He then signed for Germinal Beerschot in 2001, making his senior debut in the Jupiler League. Beerschot were linked with Ajax and the Amsterdam club soon offered him a trial stay beginning in February 2002.
In summer 2002 Van Damme moved permanently to Ajax where he showed promise in the Dutch Cup
. In the 2002–03 season, he played in the Champions League
and started as a regular player in the squad before breaking his toe in November 2002. The next season he helped Ajax again qualify for the Champions League
group stage but he had few chances to play in the first team's title winning campaign, with the club preferring the Brazilian Maxwell
at full back. This limited chance of game time led him to sign for Southampton
of the Premier League in June 2004, for £2.5 million.
He made little impact during his spell with Southampton, playing just six times during the 2004–05 season, as the club were relegated to the Championship
. He spent the 2005–06 season on loan at German Bundesliga
club Werder Bremen
but again struggled to hold down regular football, making just eight appearances (three starts), as the club finished runners-up. In search of more playing opportunities, Van Damme returned to his homeland to sign for Anderlecht in June 2006 for €500,000.
, and appeared in the Champions League group stages several times. Van Damme scored in the 2–1 win at rivals Club Brugge
that won the second of these league titles in 2010.
His time in Brussels was the source of an unsavoury incident though, when Standard Liege
defender Oguchi Onyewu
accused him of racial abuse during the 2008–09 Championship playoff between the clubs. Onyewu has subsequently sued Van Damme, the result of which is still pending.
. He signed a three-year deal, with the option of a fourth year, for a fee reported to be around £2.5 million. Sell-on clauses relating to his 2006 move to Anderlecht mean that Southampton should receive between 10 and 15 per cent of the fee received from Wolves, estimated at £300,000.
He scored his first, and only, goal for Wolves against Fulham
on 11 September 2010. He struggled to settle at the club though, and on 29 November 2010, he signed a pre-contract agreement to return to his Belgian homeland in a three-and-a-half year deal with Standard Liège
, after just six appearances for the Midlands club.
. He appeared for the national team during their unsuccessful qualifying campaigns for the 2006 and 2010 World Cups and UEFA Euro 2008.
Anderlecht
, sister of Kim Clijsters
, whom he wed in May 2008 in Bree, Belgium
. They have two children, Cruz Léo (born October 2009) and Cleo (born November 2010).
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
international footballer who can play as a central defender
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
, left back or left sided midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
. He is signed to Belgian Pro League club Standard Liège
Standard Liège
Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège (Dutch: Standard Luik [], German: Standard Lüttich , is a Belgian football club from the city of Liège....
.
Early moves
Van Damme started his career at BeverenK.S.K. Beveren
Koninklijke Sportkring Beveren was a Belgian association football club from the town of Beveren in East Flanders. It was famous for its goalkeeping school that has produced such players as Jean-Marie Pfaff, Filip De Wilde, Geert De Vlieger, Erwin Lemmens, and Tristan Peersman, all of whom have...
, before he made a short move to neighbour club Lokeren where he played in the youth teams. He then signed for Germinal Beerschot in 2001, making his senior debut in the Jupiler League. Beerschot were linked with Ajax and the Amsterdam club soon offered him a trial stay beginning in February 2002.
In summer 2002 Van Damme moved permanently to Ajax where he showed promise in the Dutch Cup
KNVB Cup
The KNVB Cup is a competition in the Netherlands organized by the Royal Dutch Football Association since 1899. It was based on the format of the English FA Cup. Outside of the Netherlands, it is often referred to as the Dutch Cup...
. In the 2002–03 season, he played in the Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
and started as a regular player in the squad before breaking his toe in November 2002. The next season he helped Ajax again qualify for the Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
group stage but he had few chances to play in the first team's title winning campaign, with the club preferring the Brazilian Maxwell
Maxwell Cabelino Andrade
Maxwell Scherrer Cabelino Andrade , commonly known as Maxwell, is a Brazilian footballer who currently plays for Spanish La Liga club FC Barcelona...
at full back. This limited chance of game time led him to sign for Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
of the Premier League in June 2004, for £2.5 million.
He made little impact during his spell with Southampton, playing just six times during the 2004–05 season, as the club were relegated to the Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
. He spent the 2005–06 season on loan at German Bundesliga
Fußball-Bundesliga
The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga...
club Werder Bremen
SV Werder Bremen
SV Werder Bremen is a German sports club best known for its association football team playing in Bremen, in the northwest German federal state of the same name. The club was founded on 4 February 1899 as Fußballverein Werder by a group of sixteen vocational high school students who had won a prize...
but again struggled to hold down regular football, making just eight appearances (three starts), as the club finished runners-up. In search of more playing opportunities, Van Damme returned to his homeland to sign for Anderlecht in June 2006 for €500,000.
Anderlecht
His four-year spell at Anderlecht was much more successful as he won two Jupiler League championships (twice runners-up) and the 2008 Belgian Cup2008 Belgian Cup Final
The 2008 Belgian Cup Final, named Cofidis Cup after the sponsor, was played on Sunday, 18 May 2008 between Gent and Anderlecht, won by Anderlecht...
, and appeared in the Champions League group stages several times. Van Damme scored in the 2–1 win at rivals Club Brugge
Club Brugge
Club Brugge Koninklijke Voetbalvereniging is a football club from Bruges in Belgium. It was founded in 1891 and is one of the top clubs in Belgium. Its home ground is the Jan Breydel Stadium, which has a capacity of 29,472....
that won the second of these league titles in 2010.
His time in Brussels was the source of an unsavoury incident though, when Standard Liege
Standard Liège
Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège (Dutch: Standard Luik [], German: Standard Lüttich , is a Belgian football club from the city of Liège....
defender Oguchi Onyewu
Oguchi Onyewu
Oguchialu Chijoke Onyewu also known as "Oguchi" Onyewu is an American soccer player who plays as a defender for Sporting Clube de Portugal, in Primeira Liga, and the United States national team. Onyewu also holds a Belgian passport....
accused him of racial abuse during the 2008–09 Championship playoff between the clubs. Onyewu has subsequently sued Van Damme, the result of which is still pending.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Van Damme returned to the English Premier League in June 2010 by joining Wolverhampton WanderersWolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
. He signed a three-year deal, with the option of a fourth year, for a fee reported to be around £2.5 million. Sell-on clauses relating to his 2006 move to Anderlecht mean that Southampton should receive between 10 and 15 per cent of the fee received from Wolves, estimated at £300,000.
He scored his first, and only, goal for Wolves against Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
on 11 September 2010. He struggled to settle at the club though, and on 29 November 2010, he signed a pre-contract agreement to return to his Belgian homeland in a three-and-a-half year deal with Standard Liège
Standard Liège
Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège (Dutch: Standard Luik [], German: Standard Lüttich , is a Belgian football club from the city of Liège....
, after just six appearances for the Midlands club.
Standard Liège
Van Damme's return to Belgium was officially ratified when the January 2011 transfer window opened. He made his Standard debut (playing as captain) in a 0–2 loss at former club Anderlecht on 23 January.International career
Van Damme made his debut for the Belgian national team on 29 March 2003 in a 0–4 friendly loss to CroatiaCroatia national football team
The Croatia national football team represents Croatia in international football. The team is controlled by the Croatian Football Federation, the governing body for football in the country, and has been managed since 2006 by former player Slaven Bilić...
. He appeared for the national team during their unsuccessful qualifying campaigns for the 2006 and 2010 World Cups and UEFA Euro 2008.
Honours
Ajax- Eredivisie: 2003–04
Anderlecht
R.S.C. Anderlecht
Royal Sporting Club Anderlecht, usually known as Anderlecht or RSCA , is a Belgian professional football club based in Anderlecht in the Brussels Capital Region. Anderlecht plays in the Belgian Pro League and is the most successful Belgian football team in European competitions as well as in the...
- Belgian League: 2006–07, 2009–102009–10 Belgian First DivisionThe 2009–10 season of the Belgian Pro League was the 107th season of top-tier football in Belgium. The season began on 31 July 2009 with the first matches of the regular season, and ended in May 2010 with the last matches of the playoff round...
- Belgian Cup: 20082008 Belgian Cup FinalThe 2008 Belgian Cup Final, named Cofidis Cup after the sponsor, was played on Sunday, 18 May 2008 between Gent and Anderlecht, won by Anderlecht...
- Belgian Super Cup: 2006, 20072007 Belgian Super CupThe 2007 Belgian Super Cup was a football match played on 28 July 2007, between league winners R.S.C. Anderlecht and cup winners Club Brugge K.V..-Match details:...
Personal life
Van Damme is married to former tennis player Elke ClijstersElke Clijsters
Elke Clijsters is a former professional female tennis player from Belgium.Born in Bilzen, Bree, the daughter of Belgian football player Leo Clijsters and sister of former World No. 1 Kim Clijsters . She won the girls' U.S. Open doubles title in 2002 and reached a highest ranking of 389 on 15...
, sister of Kim Clijsters
Kim Clijsters
Kim Antonie Lode Clijsters is a Belgian professional tennis player. As of 7 November 2011, Clijsters is ranked No. 13 in singles. Clijsters is a former World No. 1 in both singles and doubles....
, whom he wed in May 2008 in Bree, Belgium
Bree, Belgium
Bree is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Limburg. On January 1, 2006 Bree had a total population of 14,503. The total area is 64.96 km² which gives it a population density of 223 inhabitants per square km...
. They have two children, Cruz Léo (born October 2009) and Cleo (born November 2010).