Pierre van Hooijdonk was born on the 29th of November, 1969 in the Netherlands. Serving as a forward throughout his career, he primarily played as a striker. With a height of 6ft 3in (1.93m), he was a presence to be reckoned with on the pitch, weighing 13st 5lb (85kg).
van Hooijdonk's career saw a humble beginning at RBC in the Hoofdklasse in the Netherlands in 1989. During his two-season stay with the club, he made 69 first team appearances and scored 33 goals in league matches. His impressive record drew the attention of NAC Breda, where he transferred in July 1991.
His four years at NAC Breda saw van Hooijdonk truly shine. He made 116 first team appearances, scoring an impressive 76 goals in the league matches, establishing his legacy within the club and the league.
In January 1995, the hooped jersey of Celtic in Scotland was the next path for our Dutch hero, costing the Scots around £1.3m. At Celtic, van Hooijdonk achieved the status of a club legend. Over two memorable seasons, he made 69 first team appearances and scored an impressive 44 goals for the Hoops, delighting the fans every week. It was here that his footballing qualities really stood out and he became a household name.
In March 1997, English side Nottingham Forest called van Hooijdonk, who made a £3.5m move. His spell there was decent, making 71 first team appearances and scoring a total of 36 goals in league games.
After his time in England, Pierre returned to the Netherlands in 1998, playing for Vitesse. His one-season stint there amassed him 25 goals over 29 first team appearances. He later had spells in Portugal at Benfica and Turkey at Fenerbahce, and further stints at home with Dutch giants Feyenoord and NAC Breda, always consistently performing and scoring.
By May 2007, it was time for van Hooijdonk to hang up his boots. His playing career traversed through different countries and leagues, leaving a remarkable impact wherever he went. But for the Celtic supporters, Pierre Van Hooijdonk will always be remembered as a hero wearing the famous green and white hoops, and for his incredible contribution to an era of Celtic’s rich history.
