Vurnon Anita

Early career

In his youth years on Curaçao, Anita started to play football at local team CVV Willemstad. After he and his family moved to the Netherlands in 1997, he started playing for amateur side VV Maarssen. Later he was scouted by Ajax and he joined their world-famous youth program in 1999.

Ajax

As of the 2005–06 season he was promoted to the first team of Ajax and on 19 March 2006 he made his Eredivisie debut in a 3–2 away loss against FC Groningen. That year he also participated in the KNVB Cup semi-final against Roda JC. Ajax went on to win the KNVB Cup that year. The following season he added another match to his Eredivisie total, bringing it to two appearances. He also made his European debut in the 3–0 away loss against Werder Bremen in the UEFA Cup. In the 2007–08 season Anita did not play any matches for the first team, but in the 2008–09 he returned to the first team squad. He played a total of 16 matches, mainly as a replacement for injured or suspended teammates. In the 2009–10 season Anita became a first team regular under new head coach Martin Jol. Because of a suspension of Urby Emanuelson and a long-time injury of Thimothée Atouba, Anita was posted as a left back. Jol was satisfied with his performance and continued to let him play as a left back for most of the season. He also played in the KNVB Cup final against Feyenoord and won his second KNVB Cup. His good performances also led to his debut at the Dutch national team. However, he…

Netherlands

Anita competed in the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship in Peru for the Netherlands U-17, where the Dutch came third. He has also represented the Netherlands U-19 and Netherlands U-21 teams. On 26 May 2010, Anita made his full international debut for the Netherlands, coming on as a substitute in a 2–1 friendly victory over Mexico. He made his first appearance in the starting eleven in a 1–1 friendly draw with Ukraine on 12 August 2010, being replaced at half-time by PSV Eindhoven defender Erik Pieters. Anita was included in the preliminary squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. However, on 27 May 2010, Netherlands manager Bert van Marwijk announced that the player would not be part of the final squad of 23 participating in the competition.

Curaçao

Anita, who had not appeared for the Netherlands in a competitive senior international football match, formally filed a one-time switch in 2021 to play for the Curaçao national team. He debuted for Curaçao in a 5–0 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification win over Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on 25 March 2021.

Club

As of match played 15 May 2022

International

As of match played 18 October 2023

Ajax

Eredivisie: 2010–11, 2011–12 KNVB Cup: 2009–10 Johan Cruijff Shield: 2007 Newcastle United

EFL Championship: 2016–17 European Selection U-18

UEFA–CAF Meridian Cup: 2007 FC Volendam

Eerste divisie: 2024-25 Individual

Eredivisie Team of the Month: September 2022