Gianni Zuiverloon

Gianni Michel Eugene Zuiverloon is a Dutch Euro U21 winner who signed for Real Mallorca in the summer of 2011 on a free transfer from English Premier League side West Bromwich Albion.

Zuiverloon was very keen on sport as a child, but as he got older his attentions naturally drew more towards football and his mother got him a trial with the first club in the phonebook – Feyenoord.

After coming up through the youth system, Zuiverloon left Feyenoord in 2006 to join SC Heerenveen on a three-year-deal. During this time, he became an U21 regular for the Netherlands and went to the 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championships.

In the semi-final against England, Zuiverloon had a tremendous match and scored the winning spot kick after the game finished 1-1 after extra time. He then lifted the trophy after the Dutch team beat Serbia 4-1 in the final, and Zuiverloon was named in the UEFA Team of the Tournament.

Zuiverloon joined West Brom in the summer of 2008 from Heerenveen for £3.2 million despite some interest being shown by FC Barcelona and Manchester United. He started well at the club before fading away in the latter stages of the season. This was something that manager Tony Mowbray attributed to a summer of international football for the Dutchman.

His contract was left to expire at the end of the 2010/2011 season after new boss Roy Hodgson made it clear he was not a part of his first team plans. He duly signed for Mallorca as first choice right back, ahead of Pau Cendrós but can also provide extra cover at centre back.