Full name Frederick S J de Jong 1988–1990 Marconi Stallions Place of birth New Zealand Name Fred Jong | Years Team Role Football player 1984–1987 Mt. Wellington | |
Date of birth (1964-04-05) 5 April 1964 (age 51) | ||
Kingz S1G2 - Sydney Utd (A)
Fred de Jong (born 5 April 1964) is a New Zealand former football striker who represented his country in the 1980s and early 1990s.
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Club career
He played senior football with Mt. Wellington before moving to Australia, helping Marconi Stallions to consecutive National Soccer League titles in 1988 and 1989. De Jong then took advantage of his heritage, joining Fortuna Sittard in the Dutch Eredivisie (First Division) in 1990, playing against the likes of Romario and Dennis Bergkamp. De Jong played three seasons in the Dutch top flight (53 games; 6 goals) and one more in the Eerste Divisie (Second Division). He returned to New Zealand after the Dutch 1993–94 season to play domestically for Central United and later played in the Australian National Soccer League for the Football Kingz 1999–2000.
International career
De Jong marked his All Whites debut with a substitute appearance in a 6–1 win over Malaysia on 3 April 1984 and ended his international playing career with 21 A-international caps and 3 goals to his credit, his final cap coming in a 0–1 loss to Australia on 30 May 1993.
Post playing career
De Jong retains involvement in football serving as a director on the New Zealand Football board and as vice president of the Oceania Football Confederation.
He is an occasional TV commentator for SKY TV in New Zealand and has been a contributor of football related articles for the New Zealand Herald.
Personal life
His son Andre de Jong, played for the New Zealand national under-17 football team, the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates. Andre played in the team, along with Alex Rufer, son of Shane Rufer and Matt Ridenton, son of former New Zealand All White's player Michael Ridenton.