January 7, 2011 MLS--Introducing Aron Winter (from TorontoFC.ca)

Introducing Aron Winter
Get to know the new Toronto FC head coach & technical director.
TorontoFC.ca
January 7, 2011

Aron Winter
Position: Toronto FC Head Coach & Technical Director
Age: 43
Born: Paramaribo, Suriname

Aron Winter (pron. A-ron Vinter) was born in Paramaribo, Suriname on March 1, 1967. He arrives in Toronto after a long and successful career in Europe. Winter started and ended his playing career in Amsterdam with Ajax and returned to the storied Dutch club later in his career before announcing his retirement from playing in 2003. Winter made his first appearance for Ajax in 1986 at the age of 19 and during his time there he won the Dutch Eredivise title (1990), two KNVB Cups (1987 & 1988), one UEFA Cup (1992), and one UEFA Cup Winners Cup (1987).

Following the 1991-1992 season, Winter signed for Lazio in Italy’s Serie A. He spent four seasons there before moving to Inter Milan in 1996. With Inter, he made back-to-back UEFA Cup Final appearances and won the trophy in 1998. Winter returned to Ajax in 1999 and also spent time on loan with Sparta Rotterdam before bringing his playing career to a close at the end of the 2002-03 season.

Winter also had an accomplished career with the Netherlands national team. He made his first appearance for the Netherlands in 1987 and went on to earn 84 caps – a mark that currently has him sitting eighth all-time for appearances for the country. Winter scored six goals during his international career.

He was part of the Netherlands team that defeated the former Soviet Union 2-0 to win the European Championship in 1988. That was the first of four European Championships that he appeared in along with the 1992 tournament in Sweden, 1996 in England, and 2000 in Belgium and the Netherlands. Winter also played in three FIFA World Cups (1990 in Italy, United States in 1994, and France in 1998).

As a player, Winter was known for his strong work ethic in the centre of midfield. He played the majority of his time in a defensive midfield position but still tallied 73 goals over the course of a 400 game club career.

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