Richard Witschge Dutch football player. Date of Birth: 20.09.1969 Country: Netherlands

1. Early Life and Club Career
2. Barcelona and Bordeaux
3. Return to Ajax and Controversial Incident
4. Final Years
5. International Career

Early Life and Club Career

Richard Witschge, a Dutch footballer, began his journey at the youth club SDV. In 1986, at the tender age of 17, he joined the illustrious Ajax Amsterdam. He made his debut on October 26, 1986, against AZ'67 and appeared in two matches during the 1986/87 season. With each passing season, Witschge's role in the first team grew, culminating in 33 appearances in the 1990/91 campaign.

Barcelona and Bordeaux

In 1991, Barcelona acquired Witschge for a fee of $7.5 million. During his tenure there, he secured two Spanish league titles and played a significant role in 40 matches, scoring two goals. In 1993, he embarked on a five-year contract with Bordeaux in France. Alongside players like Zinedine Zidane, Witschge became a regular in the starting lineup. A loan spell at Blackburn Rovers in 1994 brought him only a single appearance. Upon returning to Bordeaux, Witschge excelled in the 1995/96 season, playing 33 matches and notching seven goals, contributing to the team's survival in the French league.

Return to Ajax and Controversial Incident

After his Bordeaux contract expired in 1996, Witschge returned to Ajax. On October 26, 1997, in a match against Feyenoord, an incident occurred that sparked controversy. After receiving the ball, Witschge embarked on a 60-meter juggle, which was perceived as disrespectful to Feyenoord players and fans.

Despite the episode, Witschge played a significant role in Ajax's successes in the following years. He collected a Dutch league title in 1997/98 and two Dutch Cups in 1998 and 1999. In 2001, he joined Alaves on loan, playing 26 matches and scoring once.

Final Years

Returning from Alaves, Witschge spent one more season with Ajax before moving to Japan's Oita Trinita in 2003. However, his stint in Japan was brief, with only nine appearances. A failed transfer to Rangers in Scotland prompted his decision to retire from professional football.

International Career

Witschge's international debut came on February 21, 1990, against Italy. He represented the Netherlands in the 1990 World Cup and the 1996 European Championship. His sole goal for the national team came against Portugal on October 16, 1991. He played a total of 31 matches for the Oranje.