Urby Vitorrio Diego Emanuelson (born 16 June 1986 in Amsterdam) is a Dutch footballer of Surinamese descent, who currently plays for Serie A club Milan. He plays as either a left midfielder or left back. Despite playing as a defender, he is best known for attacking attributes such as pace and dribbling. Emanuelson is a product of Ajax's youth system, joining them from Voorland SC. He made his debut during the 2004–05 season on April 10, 2005 in a 4–2 home win over AZ. As of the 2005–06 season he became first-choice left back and he won his first career trophies, starting with the 2005 Johan Cruijff-schaal and the 2006 KNVB Cup. During the transfer period in the summer of 2007, Ajax issued a do-not-touch label on Emanuelson as a warning to other clubs who planned to make a bid for the young talent. When Marco van Basten took over as club coach in 2008–09, Emanuelson began on the left back position. But later, after numerous of disappointing matches and bad defending, Emanuelson was placed as left midfielder or left winger, letting him focus more on attacking play than defensive. On 30 November 2008, Emanuelson played his 150th match for the club. Now, Emanuelson primarily plays as a left midfielder because of his weak defending abilities. He has since flourished in his new role on the left wing, frequently making runs and assisting from the flanks while scoring goals himself. A.C. Milan. On January 23, 2011, Serie A club Milan announced the capture of Emanuelson; signing a three-and-a-half year contract for a fee of around 1.7 million euros. He made his first debut for the club on January 26, 2011 on a Coppa Italia match against Sampdoria, provoiding an assist for Alexandre Pato. Milan won the match 2-1. Personal information Full name Urby Vitorrio Diego Emanuelson Date of birth 16 June 1986 (1986-06-16) (age 24) Place of birth Amsterdam, Netherlands Height 1.76 m (5 ft 9 1⁄2 in) Playing position Left wingback / Left winger Club information Current club Milan Number 28 Youth career 0000–1994 Voorland 1994–2004 Ajax Senior career* Years Team Apps† (Gls)† 2004–2011 Ajax 172 (17) 2011– Milan 0 (0) National team‡ 2006– Netherlands 11 (0)
