Van Zanten, David

Other Players Who Never Played a Game | Player Pics | A-Z of Players

Personal

Fullname: David Van Zanten
aka:
Born: 8th May, 1982
Birthplace: Dublin
Signed:23rd September, 1999
Position: Central Midfield, Centre-Half, Right Back
Internationals: Ireland
International Caps: ?
International Goals: ?

Biog

David Van Zanten joined the club in September 1999 after recommendations from the then Irish scouts. He had previously played for Tolka Rovers and a nominal fee thought to be in the region of £50,000 is believed to have changed hands.

David, a product of Dutch-Irish parentage, David was brought up in Dublin and played football with Tolka Rovers. After being spotted by the Irish scouting network he was recommended to the club and after a short trial was given a 2 year contract in September 1999. He played a few U18 games during his first season but was missing through injury for a big chunk of the season. The following season was much more productive and he established himself as a regular in the side playing either as a centre half or as a holding midfield player. By the end of the season he was starting to make the occasional U21 appearance. Season 2001-02 turned out to be a disaster for the young defender when he picked up a serious cruciate knee ligament injury which kept him out for much of the season.

He was released at the end of the 2002-03 season after playing for the U21’s and not getting near a start for the senior team. He was offered a trial by then St Mirren manager John Coughlin, on the basis of which he was given a 1 year contract. When Coughlin was replaced by Gus MacPherson later that year he set aboutr turning Van Zanten into a right back and he was encouraged to get forward and support the attackers. He became a valued player at St Mirren. Following an injury in 2008 and out of contract at St Mirren at the end of the season he accepted a deal from Mixu Paatalainen to transfer to Hibernian for the 2008-09 season. He started well for Hibs but soon was in competition for the right back spot and by the end of the season was pretty much watching proceedings from the bench.

With Hibernian’s change of management to John Hughes, Van Zanten was released at the end of the August transfer window.

He joined First Division Greenock Morton in November 2009, initially on a short term deal until 5 January 2010. In the January transfer window he made a move to Hamilton.

Playing Career

Honours

St Mirren Player of the Year 2005-06
St Mirren Player of the Year 2006-07

Pictures

• Player Pics

Media

• Do we have videos etc?

Links

• Wikipedia entry
• Hibernian sign Van Zanten
• Hibernian release Van Zanten