Eredivisie Awards

Sydney van Hooijdonk is the Johan Cruijff Talent of the Month in April

6 May 2022

Sydney van Hooijdonk is the Johan Cruijff Talent of the Month. According to statistics and votes from football fans, the sc Heerenveen forward performed best of all talents (players who are 21 years old or younger at the start of the competition) in April. For Sydney, son of former professional footballer Pierre van Hooijdonk, this is his first time as the Johan Cruijff Talent of the Month.

Van Hooijdonk scored three goals in four games. Two of those were against FC Groningen, making him the first sc Heerenveen player with two goals in the Derby of the North since Morten Thorsby on 13 August 2017. In April, Van Hooijdonk also recorded six shots on goal, nine aerial duels won, fourteen ball touches in the opponents’ penalty area and two selections as KPN Man of the Match.

Cheque to amateur club Beek Vooruit

Besides the monthly award, the sc Heerenveen forward also received two cheques on behalf of the VriendenLoterij (Friends Lottery). One cheque for €2,500 will go to amateur club Beek Vooruit, the club from Prinsenbeek where Van Hooijdonk played most of his youth football. The forward also receives a second cheque for €5,000 for a project of the Johan Cruyff Foundation, which will enable the purchase of sporting equipment for children with physical disabilities in and around Heerenveen.

About the voting

The Eredivisie Player of the Month and Johan Cruijff Talent of the Month Awards are based on statistics (StatsPerform) and votes from football fans, cast via the KPN Man of the Match vote (ESPN). These elements - along with votes from the 18 captains and 18 coaches - also count towards the Eredivisie Player of the Year and Johan Cruijff Talent of the Year Awards, which are presented during the Eredivisie Awards at the end of the season 2021/22.

The Eredivisie Player of the Month vote is an initiative of the Eredivisie CV in collaboration with ESPN and EA Sports. The Johan Cruijff Talent of the Month is an initiative of the Eredivisie CV, ESPN, Johan Cruyff Foundation and VriendenLoterij (Friends Lottery).