Steven Pienaar

Steven Jerome Pienaar (born 17 March 1982) is a South African footballer who plays for English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur. He can play on either the right or left wing and is also a member of the South African national team. Pienaar has previously played for Ajax Cape Town, Ajax, Borussia Dortmund and Everton. He is managed by ExtraTime S.L.

Career

Ajax Cape Town

Born in Johannesburg, Transvaal Province, South Africa, Pienaar started his professional career at Ajax Cape Town, some away from his home in Johannesburg. He was brought to the attention of Ajax CT whilst playing for the School of Excellence and was asked to join Ajax Cape Town's youth academy.

Pienaar said "I was very fortunate to go to the School of Excellence 2000, to be able to polish the technique and the talent that God gave me and to learn how to use it in the way that God had wanted me to." "I was fortunate to work with the Dutch coach Leo van Veen, who helped me at Ajax Cape Town," "He appreciated the way I played but at the same time he changed my mentality. He taught me how to prepare for games, not just playing to please the crowd but also how to play for the team."

At Ajax Cape Town he won the Rothman's Cup beating Orlando Pirates 4–1 in the final in what was to be his final game for the club.

Ajax

Aged 18, he was brought over to the Netherlands in January 2001...
Read More