Giliano Wijnaldum

AZ Alkmaar

Born in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Wijnaldum began his career at Sparta Rotterdam, where he played alongside his brother when he was fifteen. After one season at the club, Wijnaldum moved to AZ in 2008 and after going through the ranks, he signed his first professional contract in the summer of 2011. Wijnaldum then made his debut for the club on 16 April 2011, where he played 11 minutes after coming on as a substitute in the second half, in a 3–1 win over ADO Den Haag. This turned out to be his only appearance of the 2010–11 season. The 2011–12 season saw Wijnaldum make his only appearance in the KNVB Cup against Dordrecht on 27 October 2011. Around the same time, he played in the reserves. The 2012–13 season saw Wijnaldum play his first match of the season on 2 September 2012 against PSV Eindhoven, where he played against his older brother, Georginio, and played 77 minutes as they lost 5–1. In the second meeting on 20 April 2013, he was in the squad and played the whole game, but AZ once again lost 3–1. Despite playing in the reserves, Wijnaldum established himself in the first team as the 2012–13 season progressed and made twenty appearances. At the end of the season, Wijnaldum, however, was released by the club. It was due to that the fact that he would not be given a first team opportunity next season.

Groningen

On 27 June 2013, Wijnaldum joined Groningen on a free transfer following his release by the club. Wijnaldum was given a number…

After featuring once for the Netherlands U17 side, Wijnaldum was called up by Netherlands U19 on 1 September 2010 and made his Netherlands U19 debut two days later against Germany U19, followed up by his second appearance against Greece U19 on 7 September 2010. On 27 February 2012, Wijnaldum was called up by Netherlands U20 for the first time and made his Netherlands U20 two days later, where he played 45 minutes, in a 3–0 win over Denmark U20. On 1 June 2012, he then scored his first Netherlands U20 goal, in a 3–0 win over France U20 in the Toulon Tournament.

Club

As of 5 January 2017

1 2013–14 includes the Eredivisie European competition playoffs. 2014–15 includes the Eerste Divisie/Eredivisie promotion/relegation playoffs.

His older brother, Georginio Wijnaldum, plays as an attacking midfielder for Saudi Pro league club Al-Ettifaq . His half-brother, Rajiv van la Parra, also plays professional football for Apollon Smyrnis.