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Remembering Dutch goalscoring legend Willy van der Kuijlen

Obituaries

The former PSV Eindhoven striker and all-time Dutch Eredivisie top scorer Willy van der Kuijlen – a UEFA Cup winner with PSV in 1978 – has passed away at the age of 74.

Willy van der Kuijlen
Willy van der Kuijlen VI-Images via Getty Images

Van der Kuijlen played for the Eindhoven club between 1964 and 1981. In that time, he scored 308 goals, and was club top scorer 13 times. In his last year as a professional, he also scored three goals for MVV, bringing his total to 311. To this day, he remains the leading goalscorer in the Netherlands' top-flight competition.

With Van der Kuijlen, PSV grew into a formidable side in the mid-1970s, both at national and international level. His goals helped the Eindhoven side claim three league titles, in 1975, 1976 and 1978. PSV also won the Dutch domestic cup in 1974 and 1976. In 1978, PSV defeated French outfit Bastia over two legs to lift the UEFA Cup, the club’s first European trophy. After a goalless draw in Corsica, PSV won 3-0 in Eindhoven, with Van der Kuijlen scoring the third goal.

Van der Kuijlen played 22 times for the Dutch national team, scoring seven goals.

After his playing career, Van der Kuijlen held various positions at PSV. He coached youth teams and strikers, was assistant coach and, latterly, a scout. He also participated in representative and ceremonial tasks for the club.