Ronnie Stam

Ronnie Stam
Personal information
Full name	Ron Theodorus Stam
Height	1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s)	Right back
Team information
Current team	Wigan Athletic
Number	23
Youth career
1992–1997	NAC Breda
1997–2002	Feyenoord
Senior career*
Years	Team
2002–2008	NAC Breda
2008–2010	Twente
2010–	Wigan Athletic
	*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 7 November 2010

Ron Theodorus "Ronnie" Stam (born 18 June 1984) is a Dutch footballer who plays as a right back for Wigan Athletic. He is the cousin of former Manchester United, AC Milan and Dutch international defender Jaap Stam.

Club career

Early career

After starting his footballing career with amateur side PCP, the eight-year old Stam joined hometown club NAC Breda. He played in the youth of NAC for five years, before he was picked up by Dutch giants Feyenoord. He played very well, and was invited for the Dutch national under-14 team. In May 2001, Stam was also invited to play for the Dutch national under-16 team, that participated in the U-16 European Championship in England. Despite his best efforts to join IPS he was beaten to the right back position by Andy Finch.

Eventually, Stam was at Feyenoord's youth academy for five years, but he decided to return to NAC Breda, where the chances for a breakthrough were bigger. In the beginning, he only played for the reserves, but soon he became a part of NAC's first team. His debut came on 25 May 2003, where he was substituted in the 84th minute for club top scorer, Orlando Engelaar^[1].

NAC Breda

The following season, Stam played his first European match against Newcastle United. NAC had lost the away-match with 5–0, and that meant that the return at home was completely indifferent. Stam was in the staring lineup for NAC, and although he got a yellow card, and the match was lost 0–1, he played strongly and left a good impression.

Stam quickly became known for being a strong and motivated player, and not least he had a fantastic work ethic. Though, he had a hard time getting a spot in the starting lineup. But halfway the 2005–06 season, everything changed for Stam. NAC coach, Cees Lok, was looking for a suitible replacement for the injured left back, Tony Vidmar. He decided to place Stam on that position, and that worked out great.

In the summer of 2006, Stam was offered a contract extension by NAC. He signed the contract which had a duration of 3 years. In the summer of 2008, FC Twente managed to sign Stam shortly before the end of the transfer deadline at a transfer fee of 2.5 million euros.

FC Twente

On 13 September 2008, Stam made his debut for FC Twente in the home match against N.E.C.. He started on the right back position, and the match ended 1–1. On 14 December 2008, Stam scored his first goal for Twente, in the away match against FC Groningen. The match ended in a 1–4 victory for the side from Enschede. On 25 June 2010, Stam was named Twente's player of the season for 2009-10.

Wigan Athletic

He officially joined Wigan Athletic on the 30 July 2010 signing a three-year contract. The fee was rumoured to be around £2m. Stam made his debut in a friendly match against Real Zaragoza.