Playing position Name Rajiv La Number 17 Role Footballer | Height 1.81 m Years Team Parents Ramon van La Parra | |
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Date of birth (1991-06-04) June 4, 1991 (age 24) Current team Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. (#27 / Midfielder, Forward) Siblings Georginio Wijnaldum, Giliano Wijnaldum, Rogerio Wijnaldum Nieces Ki-yeann Lia Elouise Wijnaldum | ||
Rajiv van La Parra
Rajiv Ramon van La Parra (born 4 June 1991) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays for English club Huddersfield Town, predominantly as a winger but also as a striker. He has also represented Netherlands U21.
Contents
- Rajiv van La Parra
- Rvlp watch rajiv van la parra in action for town in 2016 17
- Caen
- Heerenveen
- Wolverhampton Wanderers
- Huddersfield Town
- International career
- Personal life
- Career statistics
- References
Van La Parra played his first senior games in France with Caen before returning to the Netherlands in 2011 for a three-season-long stay with Heerenveen. In June 2014, he moved to England to join Wolverhampton Wanderers, who loaned him to Brighton & Hove Albion and Huddersfield Town before he joined the latter in 2016.
Rvlp watch rajiv van la parra in action for town in 2016 17
Caen
Van La Parra is a product of the Feyenoord youth system, but made his senior debut instead for French Ligue 1 club Caen on 8 November 2008, having agreed a four-year contract in June 2008. He cited the potential to reach the highest level while playing in France as the reason for his transfer.
The right winger made only two appearances for Caen's first team during his first season, and the club ended the campaign being relegated. Despite this relegation, Van La Parra would make only a further eight appearances as the team won promotion back to the top flight, but did register his first senior goal; against Guingamp on 5 April 2009. During these seasons, he instead gained playing time in Caen's second team that competed in the Championnat de France amateur.
Heerenveen
In summer 2011, his contract was terminated and he returned to the Netherlands in search of a new club. After an unsuccessful trial at AZ Alkmaar, he eventually signed a one-year contract with fellow Eredivisie side Heerenveen on 30 August 2011. After scoring six times during 26 appearances in his debut season, Heerenveen elected to take up an option in his contract for two further seasons. Over these three seasons, Van La Parra made 94 appearances (including playing in the Europa League), scoring 16 times.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
His contract from Heerenveen expired in the summer of 2014, and after rejecting a new contract, on 10 June it was announced that he would move to English Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers, with whom he had signed a three-year contract. He made his debut in the first match on 10 August 2014 against Norwich City, and was named man of the match. He scored his first goal for Wolves against Fulham in the FA Cup on 13 January 2015. His first league goal came against future club Brighton & Hove Albion in a 1–1 draw on 14 March 2015.
On 26 November 2015, Van La Parra signed a loan deal with Brighton, lasting until 2 January 2016.
Huddersfield Town
On 11 March 2016, after some speculation, Van La Parra signed on loan for fellow Championship side Huddersfield Town for the rest of the season, with the move becoming a permanent deal in the summer, on a three-year contract. He made his debut for the Terriers in the 4–1 West Yorkshire derby win against Leeds United at Elland Road on 19 March, and scored his first goal in their 1–0 over his former club Wolves at the Kirklees Stadium on 27 August.
International career
Van La Parra regularly represented the Netherlands at both under-17 and under-19 level. He was member of the Dutch team at 2008 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship in Turkey, where he played three games. He made his debut at under-21 level on 22 May 2012 in a match against Macedonia.
Personal life
His first name Rajiv is a tribute to former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, the son of former prime minister Indira Gandhi, assassinated in May 1991. One of his half-brothers, Georginio Wijnaldum, currently plays for Liverpool, while another, Giliano Wijnaldum, plays for Philadelphia Union. His cousin, Giovanni Drenthe, is also a professional footballer, while another, Royston Drenthe retired from professional football.