Wilfred Bouma Biography | Wilfred Bouma News

Bouma started his career at amateur club SV Rood-Wit '62 before joining PSV Eindhoven on a youth contract in 1994. The PSV head coach at the time, Aad de Mos handed him his professional debut against Willem II on October 26, 1994 which his team lost 2–1. After not featuring for a long time, he was loaned out to MVV Maastricht in 1996 and played in the Eerste Divisie where he scored seven goals in 18 games. The following season, he scored six goals in 33 games after helping his team back into the Eredivisie. After impressing at Fortuna Sittard in 1998–99, he was drafted back into the PSV squad the following season.

Bouma started his career at amateur club SV Rood-Wit '62 before joining PSV Eindhoven on a youth contract in 1994. The PSV head coach at the time, Aad de Mos handed him his professional debut against Willem II on October 26, 1994 which his team lost 2–1. After not featuring for a long time, he was loaned out to MVV Maastricht in 1996 and played in the Eerste Divisie where he scored seven goals in 18 games. The following season, he scored six goals in 33 games after helping his team back into the Eredivisie. After impressing at Fortuna Sittard in 1998–99, he was drafted back into the PSV squad the following season.

At PSV, he played as a left winger and as forward because of his quick pace and direct passing, teaming up with Arnold Bruggink and at times, with Ruud van Nistelrooy. When Arthur Numan went off to Rangers at the end of the 1999–00 season, Bouma was moved to left-back where he had to compete with Danish international Jan Heintze.

With the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifiers entering its crucial stages, Bouma was handed his international debut for the Dutch national team against the Republic of Ireland on September 2, 2000. In the Euro 2004 tournament in Portugal, he was chosen by Dick Advocaat to play as a central defender and he has also retained that spot while playing for PSV under Guus Hiddink in the 2004–05 season.

At PSV, he played as a left winger and as forward because of his quick pace and direct passing, teaming up with Arnold Bruggink and at times, with Ruud van Nistelrooy. When Arthur Numan went off to Rangers at the end of the 1999–00 season, Bouma was moved to left-back where he had to compete with Danish international Jan Heintze.

With the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifiers entering its crucial stages, Bouma was handed his international debut for the Dutch national team against the Republic of Ireland on September 2, 2000. In the Euro 2004 tournament in Portugal, he was chosen by Dick Advocaat to play as a central defender and he has also retained that spot while playing for PSV under Guus Hiddink in the 2004–05 season.

Just before the close of the international transfer window, Bouma signed for Aston Villa on 30 August 2005 for £3.5m. He struggled to establish himself during the 2005–06 campaign at Villa Park, as his debut season was heavily tarnished with injuries. However, when Martin O'Neill replaced boss David O'Leary, Bouma - after recovering from a hamstring injury - replaced stand-in left-back Gareth Barry.

Under O'Neill, Bouma begun to flourish during the 2006–07 season - he established himself as first choice left back and went onto total 28 appearances in the claret and blue shirt. This lead to Bouma becoming a cult hero at Villa Park, most notably for his strong tackling, and determined nature in defence. This turn in form also attributed to Bouma reclaiming his place in the Dutch National Team, playing in the friendly against Russia in February 2007, tour of Asia in June 2007 and the recent UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying fixtures.

Bouma scored his first goal for Aston Villa in the 48th minute of the match against Newcastle United, which was an important equaliser, on February 9th, 2008.

Just before the close of the international transfer window, Bouma signed for Aston Villa on 30 August 2005 for £3.5m. He struggled to establish himself during the 2005–06 campaign at Villa Park, as his debut season was heavily tarnished with injuries. However, when Martin O'Neill replaced boss David O'Leary, Bouma - after recovering from a hamstring injury - replaced stand-in left-back Gareth Barry.

Under O'Neill, Bouma begun to flourish during the 2006–07 season - he established himself as first choice left back and went onto total 28 appearances in the claret and blue shirt. This lead to Bouma becoming a cult hero at Villa Park, most notably for his strong tackling, and determined nature in defence. This turn in form also attributed to Bouma reclaiming his place in the Dutch National Team, playing in the friendly against Russia in February 2007, tour of Asia in June 2007 and the recent UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying fixtures.

Bouma scored his first goal for Aston Villa in the 48th minute of the match against Newcastle United, which was an important equaliser, on February 9th, 2008.

Bouma has played for the Netherlands since 2000, was included in the Dutch squad for UEFA Euro 2008. He came on as a 78th substitute against France at Euro 2008 and played the full 90 minutes against Romania.

Bouma has played for the Netherlands since 2000, was included in the Dutch squad for UEFA Euro 2008. He came on as a 78th substitute against France at Euro 2008 and played the full 90 minutes against Romania.