Dirk Kuyt

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Dirk Kuyt (born July 22 1980, in Katwijk) is a Dutch football striker, who currently plays for Feyenoord.

As of the end of the 2005–06 season Kuyt has scored 122 times in the Eredivisie. He played for FC Utrecht from the 1998 until 2003, when he moved to current club Feyenoord, where he is contracted until 2007–08.

The opening game of the 2004–05 season marked Kuyt's first ever hat-trick against De Graafschap. He later went on to score four against ADO Den Haag.

Between March 2001 (playing with FC Utrecht) and April 2006 (Feyenoord) Kuyt played 179 consecutive matches.

In four matches at the 2006 World Cup, he started two and made an appearance in one other. Controvertially, he was chosen over Ruud van Nistelrooy for the starting lineup in a Round of 16 match against Portugal, despite not having scored. Van Nistelrooy remained on the bench the entire game even though Holland was down one goal and had one subsitute remaining. Holland lost 1-0.

Transfer speculation

Kuyt has recently been linked to moves to Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United and has expressed an interest in playing in the FA Premier League, "I am happy at Feyenoord but would like to play in the Premier League." "I love English football. I also think my style of play is completely right for the Premiership. A club like Newcastle would be my dream."

Despite his stated desire to play for "a club like Newcastle" BBC News reported on 23 May 2006 that Newcastle were yet to make a move. Then on 24 May they reported that Liverpool have made an approach.

Professional League Goal-Scoring Record

• 98-99 FC Utrecht 28 matches, 5 goals
• 99-00 FC Utrecht 33 matches, 6 goals
• 00-01 FC Utrecht 32 matches, 13 goals
• 01-02 FC Utrecht 34 matches, 7 goals
• 02-03 FC Utrecht 34 matches, 20 goals
• 03-04 Feyenoord 34 matches, 20 goals
• 04-05 Feyenoord 34 matches, 29 goals
• 05-06 Feyenoord 33 matches, 22 goals

References