Central midfielder who made his senior career debut in 2007 for Feyenoord. He joined the Netherlands national team in 2010.
He played youth soccer for Feyenoord for eight years, from 1999 to 2007, and was a member of the Netherlands' U16 team.
During his first senior stint, for Feyenoord, he scored 14 goals in 113 appearances from 2007 to 2011, before signing with FC Twente in 2011.
He was born in Zoetermeer, Netherlands.
As a youth he drew many comparisons to star player Patrick Vieira .
