Sergio van Dijk

Netherlands

Van Dijk started his career at local club LTC in Assen before he was drafted into the FC Groningen youth academy. In the 2000–01 season he played two matches (one goal) for Groningen in the Eerste Divisie, helping them to gain promotion. In the Eredivisie he did not play for Groningen and he moved back to the Eerste Divisie with Helmond Sport in 2002. In 2005, he moved to FC Emmen, where he scored 18 and 12 goals in his first two seasons. In the 2007–08 season he played at Emmen alongside his brother Danny.

Brisbane Roar

On 16 June 2008, Van Dijk signed a two-year contract with Queensland Roar (now operating as Brisbane Roar) after impressing the Roar scouts with his technique at the end of May against Redlands United and a Gold Coast Select XI. Van Dijk started off the season slowly, only scoring one goal in his first ten matches although managing six assists at the time. However he then silenced the critics by scoring nine goals in as many matches (including a brace against the Central Coast Mariners). On 17 January 2009, van Dijk was the Roar's first ever player to score a hat-trick in their 3–1 win over Sydney FC.

Adelaide United

On 11 February 2010, Van Dijk signed for Adelaide United on a six-month contract for the club's AFC Champions League campaign, and made his debut against defending Asian champions, Pohang Steelers on 24 February 2010, in a 1–0 win at Hindmarsh Stadium. Van Dijk made his scoring debut for the Reds in their…

On 19 July 2010, it was reported that van Dijk was to declare for Indonesia, the country from originating one of his grandparents. However, upon meeting with the Indonesian football authorities, he learned that in order to be able to represent Indonesia, he must earn Indonesian citizenship and give up his Dutch citizenship, as Indonesia does not allow dual citizenship. He refused to decide his international future, citing that it is difficult for him to give up his Dutch citizenship because his wife and their families are Dutch. He eventually decided to revoke his Dutch citizenship in order to play for Indonesia. The Football Association of Indonesia announced that van Dijk was being naturalized, so that he could play in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign. On 4 March 2013, he was called up for the first time, in a 2015 Asia Cup qualifier. He made his debut against Saudi Arabia on 23 March 2013.

Van Dijk was named after the Brazilian star, Serginho Chulapa, who played for Brazil during the 1982 World Cup. His mother was a big fan of Brazil at the time. Van Dijk is of Dutch-Indonesian parentage.

Van Dijk has a young son, who lives with family in the Netherlands. Regarding his future in football, van Dijk has said, "...after all these years of being overseas, it's my eighth year now, I think it's also time to let the family choose what the future plans are." Van Dijk also operates a clothing label with his brother Danny, called Sixlovesnine.