Donyell Malen
Donyell Malen (born 19 January 1999) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a forward for Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund and the Netherlands national team. Malen has also featured at youth level for Ajax and Arsenal.[3][2][4][5]
![]() Malen playing for Borussia Dortmund in 2021 | |||
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Donyell Malen | ||
Date of birth | [1] | 19 January 1999||
Place of birth | Wieringen, Netherlands | ||
Height | 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)[1] | ||
Position(s) | Forward | ||
Club information | |||
Current team | Borussia Dortmund | ||
Number | 21 | ||
Youth career | |||
2007–2015[2] | Ajax | ||
2015–2017 | Arsenal | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2017–2018 | Jong PSV | 22 | (13) |
2018–2021 | PSV | 81 | (40) |
2021– | Borussia Dortmund | 27 | (5) |
National team‡ | |||
2014 | Netherlands U15 | 5 | (1) |
2014–2015 | Netherlands U16 | 5 | (2) |
2015–2016 | Netherlands U17 | 20 | (1) |
2016–2017 | Netherlands U18 | 7 | (1) |
2017–2018 | Netherlands U19 | 10 | (8) |
2018–2019 | Netherlands U21 | 8 | (2) |
2019– | Netherlands | 19 | (4) |
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 19:28, 2 April 2022 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 29 March 2022 |
Club career
Early career
Born in Wieringen, Hollands Kroon, Malen began his career with Ajax in 2007. Despite a great deal of resistance coming from Ajax, in 2015 he left Ajax to join English club Arsenal. Malen joined up due to Arsenal being the side of his heroes Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp.[2][6]
Arsenal

Malen began playing for the youth teams of Arsenal in the Youth Premier League together with the FA Youth Cup, and the UEFA Youth League in the 2015–16 season. He began to display his impressive talent during his debut season for the Gunners.[3] He scored in the FA Youth Cup quarter-final away to Coventry City which Arsenal won on penalties.[7] Coming off the bench, he scored against Manchester City in the semi-final of the 2016 FA Youth Cup at the Emirates Stadium.[8] and played 30 times during the season, scoring 14 goals.[3] During the 2016–17 season, Malen was used a great deal on the wing,[9] and was included in the club's 2017–18 pre-season tour of Australia and China.[10] He made his senior debut for Arsenal in a 2–0 win over Sydney on 13 July.[11][12]
PSV
Malen was sold by Arsenal to PSV Eindhoven in late August 2017.[13]
Malen went on to play as a winger for Jong PSV.[14] On 24 November Malen scored a brace in Jong PSV's 6–0 thumping of Telstar.[15] He again netted in PSV II's 3–0 win over FC Oss on 27 November.[16] Malen scored and picked up an assist in PSV II's 2–3 loss to Fortuna upon 4 December.[17] He again scored in a 1–1 draw away to Go Ahead Eagles on 12 December.[18] Malen went on to be named in Voetbal International's Jupiler League team of the week a day later.[19]
Malen was awarded the Bronze Bull for being the Best Talent for the second period of the 2017–18 Jupiler League on 29 January 2018.[20][21] He went to make his debut for PSV in a 4–0 Eredivisie win over PEC Zwolle on 3 February.[5] Malen went on to win the 2018 Eredivisie title with PSV.[22] He also ended the 2017–18 season as Jong PSV's topscorer.[23]
On 14 September 2019, Malen scored all 5 goals for PSV as they thrashed Vitesse.[24] On 29 October 2020, he scored a brace in a 2–1 away win over AC Omonia in the 2020–21 UEFA Europa League.[25] Malen had his most productive campaign for PSV during the 2020–21 season, scoring 19 goals in 32 matches as his club finished second in the Eredivisie.[26] He added a further 8 goals across Europa League and KNVB Cup competition and he also registered 10 assists, displaying his characteristics as a multi-faceted forward.[26]
Borussia Dortmund
On 27 July 2021, Malen completed a move to Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund, signing a five-year deal.[26]
International career
Youth
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Born in the Netherlands, Malen is of Surinamese descent.[27] At the 2016 Under 17 Euros held in Azerbaijan, Malen played throughout the tournament where the Oranje got to the semi finals.[28][29][30] He went on to feature for the Netherlands under-18 team.[31] He also was called up, in December 2016, for the Dutch squad for the 2017 UEFA European Under-19 Championship[32][4][31] In March 2017 Malen scored in the 86th minute of an U18 game against Austria to equalise for the Dutch in an eventual 1–1 draw.[33][34][35]
He was part of the Dutch squad which took part in a four-team tournament, scoring a 90th-minute equaliser against Portugal and then scored a brace in a 9–0 rout of Finland.[36][37] During an U19 Euro qualifier on 7 October, Malen netted for Netherlands's U19s to cap off a 2–0 victory at home against Hungary.[38][39] Malen two days later scored in extra time to secure a 2–2 draw with Slovenia, meaning Netherlands finished top of the group and qualified for the 2018 U19 Euros.[40][41] With the score locked at 1–1 in a friendly against Italy U19's, Malen hit a free kick to score the winning goal on 9 November.[42] Malen then scored a brace for the Netherlands in a friendly away to Serbia U19's.[43]
Senior
Malen made his senior international debut for the Netherlands on 6 September 2019, in a UEFA Euro 2020 qualifier against Germany in Hamburg. He came off the bench in the 58th minute and scored his team's third goal in a 4–2 victory.[44]
Style of play
Malen is a tremendously quick player who possesses great dribbling skills and an aptitude for prolific goal scoring. Malen has been likened by ex-Ajax youth coach Brian Tevreden to Chilean forward Alexis Sánchez.[45]
Career statistics
Club
- As of match played 2 April 2022[46]
Club | Season | League | National Cup | Europe | Other | Total | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Jong PSV | 2017–18 | Eerste Divisie | 22 | 13 | — | — | — | 22 | 13 | |||
PSV Eindhoven | 2017–18 | Eredivisie | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 4 | 0 | |
2018–19 | Eredivisie | 31 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 8[lower-alpha 1] | 1 | 1[lower-alpha 2] | 0 | 42 | 11 | |
2019–20 | Eredivisie | 14 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 10[lower-alpha 3] | 6 | 1[lower-alpha 2] | 0 | 25 | 17 | |
2020–21 | Eredivisie | 32 | 19 | 3 | 1 | 10[lower-alpha 4] | 7 | — | 45 | 27 | ||
Total | 81 | 40 | 5 | 1 | 28 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 116 | 55 | ||
Borussia Dortmund | 2021–22 | Bundesliga | 27 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 8[lower-alpha 5] | 4 | 1[lower-alpha 6] | 0 | 38 | 9 |
Career total | 130 | 58 | 7 | 1 | 36 | 18 | 3 | 0 | 176 | 77 |
- Appearances in UEFA Champions League
- Appearance in Johan Cruyff Shield
- Two appearances and one goal in UEFA Champions League, eight appearances and five goals in UEFA Europa League
- Appearances in UEFA Europa League
- Six appearances and three goals in UEFA Champions League, two appearances and one goal in UEFA Europa League
- Appearance in DFL-Supercup
International
- As of match played 29 March 2022[47]
National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
---|---|---|---|
Netherlands | 2019 | 4 | 1 |
2020 | 2 | 0 | |
2021 | 11 | 3 | |
2022 | 2 | 0 | |
Total | 19 | 4 |
- Scores and results list the Netherlands' goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Malen goal.[47]
No. | Date | Venue | Cap | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 6 September 2019 | Volksparkstadion, Hamburg, Germany | 1 | ![]() | 3–2 | 4–2 | UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying |
2 | 30 March 2021 | Victoria Stadium, Gibraltar | 8 | ![]() | 5–0 | 7–0 | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification |
3 | 7 September 2021 | Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands | 15 | ![]() | 6–0 | 6–1 | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification |
4 | 11 October 2021 | De Kuip, Rotterdam, Netherlands | 16 | ![]() | 6–0 | 6–0 | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification |
References
- "Donyell Malen | Playerprofile | Bundesliga". bundesliga.com. DFL. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
- "Donyell Malen: Interview". Arsenal.com. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
- Group, Arsenal Media. "Donyell Malen: Profile". www.arsenal.com. Archived from the original on 13 May 2016. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
- "Dutch U19 Squad". Ajax Showtime.com.
- "Donyell Malen debuteert in het 'grote' PSV: 'In een vol stadion is toch anders'". Omroepbrabant.nl (in Dutch).
- "Aanvaller Donyell Malen (17) en zijn moeder Mariska Manshanden". Volksrant.nl (in Dutch).
- Turner, Andy (15 February 2016). "Match report: Coventry City exit FA Youth Cup to Arsenal after dramatic penalty shoot-out". CoventryLive. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
- "Manchester City pip Arsenal to FA Youth Cup final spot with 4-3 aggregate victory". The FA. 4 April 2016. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
- "Review: Leicester 0-3 Arsenal – Malen shines as Young Guns victorious". Daily Cannon.com.
- "Arsenal in Sydney". Arsenal.com.
- "SYDNEY VS. ARSENAL 0 - 2". Soccerway.com.
- "Alexandre Lacazette scores on Arsenal debut in friendly vs. Sydney FC". ESPN FC.com.
- "Donyell Malen joins PSV Eindhoven". Talksport.com.
- "Jong PSV vs RKC Waalwijk". Soccerway.com.
- "Ook PSV-aanvaller Donyell Malen gelooft nu in het ketchup-verhaal". ED.nl (in Dutch).
- "FC Oss kansloos onderuit tegen Jong PSV". BD.nl (in Dutch).
- "PSV II VS. FORTUNA SITTARD 2 - 3". Soccerway.com.
- "Go Ahead Eagles 1-1 PSV II". Soccerway.com.
- "Limburgse glorie in het Elftal van de Week". Voetbal International.com (in Dutch).
- "Donyell Malen". Twitter.com.
- @ESPNnl (29 January 2018). "🐂 Donyell Malen (Jong @PSV) krijgt de Bronzen Stier voor grootste talent van de tweede periode in de @jupilerleague uitgereikt van een trotse moeder" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- "PSV KAMPIOEN". Youtube.com (in Dutch). Fox Sports.
- "Balans van de Brabantse Jupiler League-clubs: goalgetter Lieder, donkerrood RKC, smaakmaker Kamaçi". Omroep Brabant.nl (in Dutch).
- "Donyell Malen: PSV Eindhoven youngster scores five in rout over Vitesse". 14 September 2019. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
- "Omonia 1–2 PSV". UEFA. 29 October 2020.
- "Borussia Dortmund sign forward Donyell Malen from PSV". The Athletic. 27 July 2021.
- "Profvoetballers van Surinaamse afkomst". Natio Suriname | Voetbal. Archived from the original on 24 September 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
- "Netherlands U17s defeated in Euro semi-final". Football Oranje.com.
- "Chong to the fore as Netherlands edge Sweden". UEFA.com.
- "Portugal see off Netherlands in semi-finals". UEFA.com.
- "Netherlands U21s beaten by Austria but U18s hammer Czech Republic". Football Oranje.com.
- "2016 UEFA Under 17 Euros - Matches". UEFA.com.
- @oefb1904 (23 March 2017). "Ebenfalls ein 1:1 gab es für das U18-Nationalteam im Test vs. die Niederlande. Nach 1:0-Pausenführung gleichen die Gäste in der 86. Min aus" (Tweet) (in German) – via Twitter.
- @ArsenalFC_fl (24 March 2017). "Donyell Malen scores for Holland" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- Dutch Football [@Foot_Oranje] (24 March 2017). "Netherlands U18's drew 1-1 with Austria U18's yesterday. Arsenal's Donyell Malen scoring a late equaliser for the young Oranje side" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- "Portugal U19s 2-2 Netherlands U19s". Sofa Score.com.
- "Netherlands U19s Put Nine Past Finland". Football Oranje.com.
- "Holland U19s 2-0 Hungary U19s". Twitter.com.
- "Netherlands 2-0 Hungary". UEFA.com.
- "GOUDHAANTJE KADIOGLU BEZORGT ONDER 19 GROEPSWINST". Ons Oranje.nl (in Dutch).
- "Slovenia 2-2 Holland". UEFA.com.
- "IJZERSTERK ORANJE ONDER 19 ZET ITALIË OPZIJ". Ons Oranje.nl (in Dutch).
- "Donyell Malen helpt Oranje onder 19 langs Servische leeftijdgenoten". Sport Nieuws.nl (in Dutch).
- "Germany 2-4 Netherlands". uefa.com. 6 September 2019. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
- "Ex-Ajax chief says Arsenal whizkid Donyell Malen just like Alexis Sanchez". Ghana Soccernet.com. Archived from the original on 12 April 2017. Retrieved 12 April 2017.
- "Donyell Malen » Club matches". WorldFootball.net. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
- Donyell Malen at National-Football-Teams.com
External links
- Donyell Malen on Instagram
- Donyell Malen – UEFA competition record (archive)
- Donyell Malen at WorldFootball.net
- Donyell Malen at Eurosport
- Donyell Malen at FootballDatabase.eu
- Donyell Malen at OnsOranje (in Dutch)