Club Career
Born in Amsterdam, Kieft started his professional career with local giants AFC Ajax, making his first team debuts on 4 May 1980, at not yet 18. Amongst his youth teammates were Frank Rijkaard, John van 't Schip, Marco van Basten and Gerald Vanenburg, as in his first two full seasons he scored at an astonishing rate, especially in 1981–82 when he netted 32 goals in as many games, being crucial as the side lifted the Eredivisie title and receiving the European Golden Boot award.
At only 20, Kieft was sold to Italy's Pisa Calcio, scoring only three times in a relegation-ending season; he did help the Tuscany club immediately promote to Serie A, but underperformed overall in the top flight, with that club and his following, Torino FC.
In the 1987 summer Kieft returned to his country, signing for PSV Eindhoven. His impact was immediate, as his new club won the treble, including the season's European Cup, where he scored in the penalty shootout defeat of S.L. Benfica (0–0 after 120 minutes). En route to these accolades he contributed with more than 30 goals overall, 29 alone in the league, a competition best.
Kieft had his second and last abroad experience in 1990, joining French outfit FC Girondins de Bordeaux and again underachieving, returning to PSV and playing three more seasons until his retirement, at nearly 32 (averaging more than 11 goals in his second spell with the club). In total, he scored 158 goals in only 264 games in Holland's top division.
In 2009 Kieft rejoined PSV, being named assistant coach of the club's youth sides.
Read more about this topic: Wim Kieft
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