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Chivu Player, Van der Vaart Talent Of The Year

10 May: Ajax captain Cristian Chivu has won Holland's most prestigious Player Of The Year award, presented by football weekly Voetbal International and national newspaper De Telegraaf. Ajax midfielder Rafaël Van der Vaart won the award for Talent Of The Year.

Christian Chivu, pictured with fellow nominee Markus Allbåck of SC Heerenveen, takes a moment to relax during 2-0 victory. [Photo: Gerard van Hees / Ajax.nl]

A jury of prominent football journalists, gives every Eredivisie player points for his weekly performance. Ajax' Romanian captain finished with a total 199.5 points, one point ahead of NAC midfielder, Alfred Schreuder. The third slot was shared by FC Utrecht striker Dirk Kuijt and his Swedish SC Heerenveen colleague, Markus Allbäck (194 points each).

Throughout the season, the jury has given extra points in a separate Talent Of The Year competition. Despite the fact that a knee injury kept Rafaël van der Vaart sidelined for the large part of the second season's half, his tremendous first season's half was enough to finish at the top, with 20 points, way ahead of the runner-up: Feyenoord winger Robin van Persie (12 points). A second Ajacied, Ahmed 'Mido' Hossam, lay claim to the number three slot.

Chivu and Van der Vaart will receive their respective trophies during the Player Of The Year Gala, organized by Voetbal International and De Telegraaf on 02 September.

In January of this year, Van der Vaart was already voted Talent Of The Year by his Eredivisie colleagues, united in the Dutch Union of Professional Football Players (VVCS).

Traditionally, the organizers will try to invite the celebrity of the Player Of The Year's choice to officially give the trophy during the gala. According to the VI Planet.nl website, Cristian Chivu will probably choose for his countryman and idol, Georghe Hagi. (MP)

(Source: VI Planet.nl)