Position: Defender/Midfielder
Born: 05.02.75
Club: Barcelona

Gio van Bronckhorst is now a veteran of the Holland team having made his debut back in 1996, but the versatile Barcelona star is not finished yet.

His first steps as a professional came at RKC Waalwijk where he was sent out on loan from parent club Feyenoord in the 1993/94 season.

Strong performances for the Rotterdammers earned him a place in the national team and, in 1998, a £5million move to Rangers where he linked up with Dutch coach Dick Advocaat.

Van Bronckhorst starred in a defensive midfield role as Rangers won every domestic trophy and it was not long before his defensive strength and long-range goals caught the eye of Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger, who paid £8.5 million for him in the summer of 2001.

Van Bronckhorst was part of Arsenal's double-winning team that year, but never really settled and a cruciate knee ligament injury sidelined him for most of the following season.

A loan move to Barcelona became permanent in 2004 and he has played a big part in the resurgence of the Catalan club.

Operating mainly at left-back these days, van Bronckhorsts's experience and quality will be vital if Holland are to succeed in Germany.

• 1 Edwin van der Sar
• 10 Rafael van der Vaart
• 9 Ruud van Nistelrooy
• 17 Robin van Persie
• 19 Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink
• Ron Vlaar