 | FACTFILE Born: 23/01/84 Club: Chelsea Position: Striker/midfielder Debut: 30/04/03 v Portugal |
Speedy Arjen Robben has become one of Europe's most talked-about players over the last year. He signalled the start of a new era when replacing Marc Overmars on his Dutch debut.
Robben was named Holland's young player of the year after starring for PSV, who realised he was destined to leave.
Despite training with Manchester United, where he was seen as a natural successor to Ryan Giggs, he eventually signed for Chelsea in a �12m deal.
An exciting attacker, Robben extends the Dutch tradition of dashing left-sided players which has stretched from Johan Cruyff to Overmars.
But he can also act as an inside, or second striker, up front or even on the right.
Did you know? He arrived at his first club Groningen at the age of 15 - on a pushbike.