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Sydney FC and the Dutch connection

With Sydney FC’s signing of Luciano Narsingh, there’s been plenty of talk around if he will feature this week at home in a Grand Final rematch against Melbourne City.

Narsingh could very well make his debut in front of a home crowd in what is shaping up to be a huge clash for Steve Corica’s side. Narsingh was unveiled to Sydney FC Members and fans at Saturday’s match against the Wellington Phoenix, having arrived in the country a couple of days before.

Narsingh arrives with an impressive CV, most notably having represented Holland 19 times. There have been a few other Dutch players to have pulled on the Sky Blue jersey for Sydney FC so lets take a look at those players and see how they fared.

Bobby Petta – Petta joined Sydney FC in 2008 after spending the previous two seasons at Adelaide United. Petta made a total of nine appearances for Sydney FC before departing the club at the end of the 2008/2009 season.

Bobby Petta in action for Sydney FC

Jop van der Linden – A tough tackling centre back, van der Linden joined Sydney FC in the 2018-2019 season from Willem II in the Eredivisie. In total, van der Linden played 13 times for Sydney FC before departing the club in 2019.

Jop van der Linden in action for Sydney FC against the Central Coast Mariners

Reza Ghoochannejhad – Although Ghoochannejhad represented Iran 44 times (scoring 16 goals), the Iranian international spent most of his life in the Netherlands and even played for their youth teams, so he gets a mention here. Ghoochannejhad joined Sydney FC in January 2019 on a six month loan deal. In total, he played 17 matches with his finest moment at Sydney FC coming in the 2019 Grand Final where he slotted the match-winning kick in the penalty shootout which sealed the trophy for Sydney FC.

Siem De Jong – The Dutch international with six caps to his name joined Sydney FC in 2018 on a season long loan from Ajax. De Jong played 21 times for Sydney FC, scoring six goals. De Jong is most remembered by Sydney FC fans for scoring in a famous 3-1 win over the Western Sydney Wanderers at ANZ Stadium as well as an amazing free-kick against the same opposition in the FFA Cup. De Jong was also a member of the 2019 Grand Final winning team which defeated Perth Glory.

De Jong celebrates with Alex Brosque.

Pascal Bosschaart – A fan favourite with Sydney FC, Bosschaart joined the club in June 2011 from ADO Den Haag in the Eredivisie. Versatile across the back four, Bosschart made 33 appearances for Sydney FC and scored one goal in a 3-2 loss to Melbourne Victory at the Sydney Football Stadium.

Pascal Bosschaart heads towards the Cove after scoring against Melbourne Victory in the ‘Big Blue’

Jordy Buijs – Initially signed on a short term contract, Buijs joined Sydney FC in January 2017. Another fan favourite amongst fans at Sydney FC, Buijs achieved great success during his time at the club. In total, Buijs played over 45 times for the club, winning two A-League Premierships, one Championship and the FFA Cup.

Jordy Buijs celebrates scoring for Sydney FC against Brisbane Roar