Dirk Marcellis

Dirk Marcellis (born 13 April 1988 in Horst aan de Maas) is a Dutch footballer who currently plays as a centre back for PEC Zwolle in the Dutch Eredivisie. After a non-playing period at PSV Marcellis fought back at AZ and became one of the more reliable defenders in the Eredivisie. After suffering from injuries, he signed with NAC Breda in January 2015. He signed with PEC Zwolle after NAC was relegated.

Despite being short for a central defender, Marcellis worked his way up the ladder at PSV Eindhoven, and eventually played his way in the starting line-up, forming a confident pair with Mexican defender Carlos Salcido. It was then that Marcellis was first really noticed by the bigger audience. He managed himself quite comfortably in the PSV defence, and almost effortlessly replaced the highly rated Brazilian central defender Alex, who went back to Chelsea after being loaned by PSV for several seasons. On 30 July 2009, Marcellis scored a last-minute goal against Bulgarian side PFC Cherno More Varna to help his team to a 1:0 home win in a third qualifying round game of the UEFA Europa League. He transferred to AZ after they sold their striker Jeremain Lens to PSV.

On 21 May he was involved with the deal with Jeremain Lens. Lens went to PSV and AZ contracted Marcellis. After a non-playing period at PSV, Marcellis fought back at AZ and became one of the more reliable defenders in the league. Unfortunately he injured his knee in May 2013 and as a result he missed the whole 2013-14 season. After his contract expired in July 2014, he was released. However, in October 2014, he was given an opportunity to earn a new contract with the Alkmaar side by signing an amateur deal. He returned as a substitute in the match against Feyenoord on 14 December 2014.

On 31 December 2014, it was announced that Marcellis had signed with Eredivisie side NAC Breda until the end of the season. Upon arrival he was named captain by trainer Robert Maaskant.

Marcellis during a Jong Oranje training in March 2008

After impressing with PSV both in the UEFA Cup against Tottenham Hotspur and Fiorentina, where he played solid games against Dimitar Berbatov and Adrian Mutu, Marcellis caught the eye of not only Dutch football fans but also the Netherlands U-21 coach Foppe de Haan. De Haan was quoted as saying, "Verrek, we hebben weer een echte verdediger", meaning: "Damn, we have a real defender again." De Haan almost immediately included Marcellis in the squad and let him make his debut for the Netherlands U-21. Marcellis didn't disappoint by playing very solidly in defence, game after game. Not only on his preferred place in central defence but at times also as a right back. He was a star on the rise, and the Dutch people recognised his great quality and potential. With the press and public often comparing him with his idol; former Dutch defender Jaap Stam, naming him as the biggest contender to fill the gap that the widely known Stam left in the Dutch defence. However, he has yet to live up to his promise.

2008 Beijing Summer Olympics

He was selected for the Netherlands Olympic squad and was absolute first choice central defender during the entire run-up to the Olympics, where he made a confident impression, seldom making a mistake. He played in all the group games, where the Dutch barely qualified for the quarter finals, coming second on points. He also played the quarter-final against Argentina, where they were eliminated. After the full 90 minutes and extra time had resulted in a 1–1 draw, they surprisingly lost 2–1.

National team

He received his first call-up under national team coach Bert van Marwijk for the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Norway & Iceland. He made his debut on 11 October 2008, against Iceland.

Club

PSV

• Eredivisie (1): 2007–08
• Johan Cruijff Shield (1): 2008

AZ

• KNVB Cup (1): 2012–13