Famous Birthdays·January 28·Siem de Jong
Siem de Jong

NLSiem de Jong

A creative Dutch midfielder whose career was a story of brilliant flashes and persistent battles with injury.

Born 1989 (age 37)·Dutch footballer·Birthday: January 28·Millennials

Photo: Новикова Юлия · CC BY-SA 3.0

Biography

Siem de Jong emerged from the famed Ajax academy, a playmaker whose intelligence and eye for goal marked him as a future star. His peak came in Amsterdam, where his knack for decisive contributions helped secure four consecutive Eredivisie titles. A high-profile move to Newcastle United in 2014 promised a new chapter, but his time in England was defined by a cruel series of injuries that stifled his momentum. After spells back in the Netherlands, Germany, and a final stint in Australia, he retired having shown the sublime talent of a classic number ten, yet whose narrative was equally shaped by physical adversity. He remains a poignant figure for Ajax fans, who remember the elegant, game-changing performances he delivered when fully fit.

Millennials

1981–1996

The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.

Siem was born in 1989, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.

#1 When Siem Was Born

The biggest hits of 1989

#1 Movie

Batman

Best Picture

Driving Miss Daisy

#1 TV Show

Roseanne

Siem's Life & Times

The world at every milestone

1989Born

Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests

Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school

Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa

Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager

Euro currency enters circulation

Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive

Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches

Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2007Could vote

iPhone released; Great Recession begins

Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Turned 21

Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched

Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30

First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests

Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump

Key Achievements

  • Won four consecutive Eredivisie titles with Ajax Amsterdam from 2011 to 2014.
  • Scored a memorable UEFA Champions League hat-trick against FC Barcelona for Ajax in 2013.
  • Captained the Ajax first team during the 2013-2014 championship-winning season.

Did You Know?

He is the older brother of fellow Dutch international and former Ajax player Luuk de Jong.

He made his senior debut for Ajax in a KNVB Cup match in 2007, coming on as a substitute for Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.

He played for the Netherlands at every youth level from U-16 to U-21.

“A footballer's career is not a straight line; you adapt and keep playing.”

— Siem de Jong

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