A tireless front runner who can play as an out-and-out striker or in a wide attacking berth, Dirk Kuyt has been a regular Dutch international since 2004 and will appear in his fourth major tournament at UEFA EURO 2012. He proved his continued worth by scoring six goals in the qualifying competition.

• Born in the Dutch fishing town of Katwijk aan Zee, he left local club Quick Boys for FC Utrecht in 1998.

• Gained a reputation as a super sub in his early days but gradually forced his way into Utrecht's starting XI and became a prolific marksman; scored 20 Eredivisie goals in 2002/03 and was named man of the match in the Dutch Cup final, scoring in a 4-1 win against Feyenoord, the club he was about to join.

• Registered 20 goals again in his first season at Feyenoord followed by an Eredivisie-best tally of 29 (under coach Ruud Gullit) in 2004/05 – the highest total for the club in 22 years.

• A mainstay for the Netherlands in 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying and replaced Ruud van Nistelrooy up front at the finals; a regular member of the team at UEFA EURO 2008 (scored one goal, against France).

• After being named the 2006 Dutch Footballer of the year, he joined Liverpool that summer, scoring 12 goals in his debut Premier League campaign plus a late consolation in the Reds' 2007 UEFA Champions League final defeat by AC Milan.

• Started every game at the 2010 World Cup − scoring once, in the Oranje's opener against Denmark − as the Netherlands reached the final.

• Scored a hat-trick in a 3-1 victory against Manchester United FC in March 2011, surpassed a half-century of Premier League goals the following season and was on target in Liverpool's 2012 League Cup final triumph over Cardiff City FC.

UEFA honours
UEFA Champions League: runner-up 2007