Quick Facts
Biography
Michael de Leeuw (born 7 October 1986) is a Dutch professional footballer who currently plays as a forward for Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer.
Career
Born in Goirle, De Leeuw began his career at amateur clubs DWC and RKTVV before joining the youth department of Willem II. He never broke through to the first team, and therefore chose to play for BV Veendam in the Dutch second division.
Veendam
De Leeuw was placed as a striker in his first year for Veendam, and he was an immediate success, scoring 25 goals in 36 league matches. At the end of the year, he won the topscorer award and the award for 'Talent of the Year', for the most talented player of the season. He was chased by several clubs in the Eredivisie and clubs abroad, but in the end chose to stay in Veendam.
FC Groningen
On 22 May 2012, FC Groningen announced that they had signed De Leeuw.
Chicago Fire
On 17 May 2016, the Chicago Fire announced they have signed De Leeuw to a three-year deal through 2018 with a club option for 2019.
Career statistics
| Club performance | League | Cup | Continental | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Netherlands | League | KNVB Cup | Europe | Other | Total | |||||||
| 2009–10 | BV Veendam | Eerste Divisie | 36 | 25 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 37 | 25 | |
| 2010–11 | 31 | 13 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 34 | 14 | ||
| 2011–12 | De Graafschap | Eredivisie | 33 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 37 | 11 |
| 2012–13 | FC Groningen | 30 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 35 | 12 | |
| 2013–14 | 24 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 31 | 9 | ||
| 2014–15 | 28 | 17 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 24 | ||
| 2015–16 | 27 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 34 | 10 | ||
| Career total | 209 | 94 | 18 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 241 | 105 | ||
Statistics accurate as of last match played on 16 April 2016.
Honours
Club
FC Groningen
- KNVB Cup (1): 2014–15