Sergio Zijler Explained

Sergio Zijler
Fullname:Marcel Sergio Orpheo Zijler[1]
Height:1.65 m[2]
Birth Date:1987 7, df=yes
Birth Place:Rotterdam, Netherlands
Position:Attacking midfielder, winger
Youthclubs1:ASV Fortius
Youthyears2:1997–2006
Youthclubs2:Ajax
Years1:2006–2008
Clubs1:Twente
Caps1:13
Goals1:2
Years2:2008–2010
Clubs2:Willem II
Caps2:65
Goals2:6
Years3:2011
Clubs3:Rijeka
Caps3:4
Goals3:0
Years4:2011
Clubs4:Orduspor
Caps4:0
Goals4:0
Years5:2014
Clubs5:Zelina
Caps5:14
Goals5:0
Years6:2014–2015
Clubs6:Achilles '29
Caps6:10
Goals6:0
Years7:2015
Clubs7:Universitatea Cluj
Caps7:2
Goals7:0
Years8:2015
Clubs8:Lienden
Caps8:3
Goals8:0
Totalcaps:111
Totalgoals:8
Nationalyears1:2002
Nationalteam1:Netherlands U16
Nationalcaps1:4
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2003–2004
Nationalteam2:Netherlands U17
Nationalcaps2:7
Nationalgoals2:1

Marcel Sergio Orpheo Zijler (born 8 July 1987) is a Dutch former professional footballer who played as a winger.

Zijler, born in Rotterdam, began his football journey at the Ajax academy before making his professional debut with Twente in 2006. He later joined Willem II, becoming a regular starter in the Eredivisie. Zijler's career also saw him competing abroad, with stints at clubs like Rijeka in Croatia, Orduspor in Turkey, and Universitatea Cluj in Romania. His later years included experiences in lower-tier leagues.

A youth international for the Netherlands, Zijler gained caps for the Netherlands under-16 and under-17 teams.

Club career

Born in Rotterdam, Zijler spent part of his youth training at Ajax's academy.[3] In 2006, he moved to Twente, where he made his professional debut on 21 October 2006, as a substitute for Otman Bakkal in an Eredivisie match against Excelsior.[4] On 12 November 2006, he marked his first start for the senior team by scoring twice in a 7–1 victory over Groningen.[5] During the 2007–08 season, Zijler made only one Eredivisie appearance.

On 2 January 2008, he accepted an offer from Willem II, a move that Twente coach Fred Rutten described as "beneficial for his development".[6] Zijler signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Willem II. While he initially made limited appearances as a substitute during his first half-season, he became a regular starter over the following two seasons. His contract expired at the end of the 2009–10 season.[7]

After becoming a free agent, Zijler had trial periods with Metz,[8] Polonia Warsaw,[9] and FC Zwolle that did not result in contracts.[10] In January 2011, he signed a one-and-a-half-year deal with Rijeka.[11] [12] From June 2011 to January 2012, he played for Orduspor in Turkey before spending about a year without a club.[13] He then joined Croatian second-tier club Zelina.[14] In September 2014, after a trial, Zijler signed with Achilles '29 on an amateur basis.[15]

In January 2015, he signed a short-term contract with Romanian club Universitatea Cluj following a successful trial.[16] In March 2015, Zijler faced controversy when a photo surfaced of him in a betting shop. The club suspended him, alleging illegal gambling.[17] Zijler denied the claims, stating he had only visited a convenience store in the same building and viewed live football screens and betting lists, while also highlighting unpaid wages.[18] In July 2015, the Romanian Football Federation's appeals committee ruled that Universitatea Cluj must meet its contractual obligations to him.[19]

In September 2015, Zijler joined Lienden in the Topklasse Sunday but parted ways with the club in December 2015. Due to lateness to practice, he made only three appearances and fell out of favour with head coach Hans van de Haar.[20] [21]

International career

Zijler was part of the Netherlands U-17 team in 2003.[22]

In 2009, he played for the combination team of the Suriname national football team and the 'Suriprofs' (Surinamese professional players in the Netherlands) at the Parbo Bier Cup tournament.

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Twente2006–07Eredivisie1221020151
2007–08Eredivisie10100020
Total1322020172
Willem II2007–08Eredivisie5050
2008–09Eredivisie29220312
2009–10Eredivisie3141030354
Total6563030716
Rijeka2010–11Prva HNL400040
Orduspor2011–12Süper Lig000000
Zelina2013–14Prva NL14000140
Achilles '292014–15Eerste Divisie10000100
Universitatea Cluj2014–15Liga I200020
Lienden2015–16Topklasse301040
Career total111860501228

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Marcel Sergio Orpheo Zijler: Jeugd mannen onder 17 . Ons Oranje . 17 November 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241117134750/https://www.onsoranje.nl/toernooien/134/selectie/184965/speler/6626 . 17 November 2024.
  2. Web site: Sergio Zijler . Willem II . https://web.archive.org/web/20110724174057/http://www.willem-ii.nl/elftal-speler.asp?eId=1&id=442&hoofdID=34&subID=480 . 24 July 2011 . nl . dead.
  3. News: FC Twente past contract belofte Zijler aan . 17 November 2024 . Voetbal International . 18 August 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241117135931/https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/artikel-detail?name=fc-twente-past-contract-belofte-zijler-aan&type=nieuws&category=& . 17 November 2024 . nl.
  4. News: FC Twente plukt rechtsbuiten weg bij Ajax . 17 November 2024 . Voetbal International . 5 May 2006 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241117140223/https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/fc-twente-plukt-rechtsbuiten-weg-bij-ajax . 17 November 2024 . nl.
  5. News: Zijler: "Dit kunnen ze me niet meer afpakken" . 17 November 2024 . FCUpdate.nl . 14 November 2006 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241117140538/https://www.fcupdate.nl/voetbalnieuws/2006/11/zijler-dit-kunnen-ze-me-niet-meer-afpakken . 17 November 2024 . nl.
  6. News: Freriks . Koen . Willem II versterkt zich met Sergio Zijler . 17 November 2024 . FCUpdate.nl . 3 January 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241117141004/https://www.fcupdate.nl/voetbalnieuws/2008/01/willem-ii-versterkt-zich-met-sergio-zijler . 17 November 2024 . nl.
  7. News: Sergio Zijler vertrekt bij Willem II . 17 November 2024 . Omroep Brabant . 30 April 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241117141400/https://www.omroepbrabant.nl/nieuws/594598/sergio-zijler-vertrekt-bij-willem-ii . 17 November 2024 . nl.
  8. News: Zijler hoopt een contract af te dwingen bij FC Metz . 17 November 2024 . Voetbal International . 3 January 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241117142611/https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/zijler-hoopt-een-contract-af-te-dwingen-bij-fc-metz . 17 November 2024 . nl.
  9. News: Sergio Zijler na testach w Polonii Warszawa . 17 November 2024 . Interia Sport . 29 September 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241117142902/https://sport.interia.pl/aktualnosci-sportowe/news-sergio-zijler-na-testach-w-polonii-warszawa,nId,562451 . 17 November 2024 . pl.
  10. News: FC Zwolle test twee buitenspelers . 17 November 2024 . Oost . 3 December 2010 . nl.
  11. News: Zijler aan de slag bij Kroatische middenmoter . 17 November 2024 . FCUpdate.nl . 16 January 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241117143229/https://www.fcupdate.nl/voetbalnieuws/2011/01/zijler-aan-de-slag-bij-kroatische-middenmoter . 17 November 2024 . nl.
  12. News: Vukušić . Danijel . Rijeka je imala Nizozemca, a AZ bio kraj karijere za 'vatrenoga' . 17 November 2024 . 24sata . 28 October 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211019110505/https://www.24sata.hr/sport/rijeka-je-imala-nizozemca-a-az-bio-kraj-karijere-za-vatrenoga-724747 . 19 October 2021 . hr.
  13. News: Zijler vervolgt zijn loopbaan bij Turkse promovendus . 17 November 2024 . Voetbal International . 17 July 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241117143531/https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/zijler-vervolgt-zijn-loopbaan-bij-turkse-promovendus . 17 November 2024 . nl.
  14. News: Dam . Erik van . 'Ik begrijp dat er geen geld is, maar ik wil me hier weer in de kijker spelen' . 17 November 2024 . Voetbalzone . 23 September 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241117143954/https://www.voetbalzone.nl/nieuws/ik-begrijp-dat-er-geen-geld-is-maar-ik-wil-me-hier-weer-in-de-kijker-spelen/225312 . 17 November 2024 . nl.
  15. News: Broek . Danny van den . Zijler had navigatie nodig om Groesbeek te vinden . 17 November 2024 . BN De Stem . 21 November 2014 . nl.
  16. News: Groenendijk haalt weer twee oude bekenden naar Cluj . 17 November 2024 . Voetbal International . 2 February 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241117144456/https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/groenendijk-haalt-weer-twee-oude-bekenden-naar-cluj . 17 November 2024 . nl.
  17. News: Gorp . Guido van . Logger . Bram . Nederlandse prof in opspraak door gokfoto . 17 November 2024 . Algemeen Dagblad . 26 March 2013 . nl.
  18. Web site: Zijler in onmin met Roemeense club na gokfoto . De Gelderlander . https://web.archive.org/web/20150924043600/https://www.gelderlander.nl/algemeen/sport/voetbal/zijler-in-onmin-met-roemeense-club-na-gokfoto-1.4983481 . 24 September 2015 . nl . 8 June 2015 . dead.
  19. News: Țone . Marius . Clubul Astra, obligat de CNSL la plata restanțelor către francezul Elliot Grandin . 17 November 2024 . Prosport . 24 July 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230727122338/https://www.prosport.ro/fotbal-intern/liga-1/clubul-astra-obligat-de-cnsl-la-plata-restantelor-catre-francezul-elliot-grandin-14636300 . 27 July 2023 . ro.
  20. Web site: FC Lienden voegt Zijler aan selectie toe . De Gelderlander . https://web.archive.org/web/20160105143012/http://www.gelderlander.nl/algemeen/sport/voetbal/fc-lienden-voegt-zijler-aan-selectie-toe-1.5231515 . 5 January 2016 . nl . 11 September 2015 . dead.
  21. Web site: Zijler alweer weg bij FC Lienden . De Gelderlander . https://web.archive.org/web/20160105152617/http://www.gelderlander.nl/sport/voetbal/amateurvoetbal/zijler-alweer-weg-bij-fc-lienden-1.5564562 . 5 January 2016 . nl . 21 December 2015 . dead.
  22. http://pt.uefa.com/teamsandplayers/players/player=74456/profile/index.html Sergio Zijler