Khalid Boulahrouz, a Dutch international of Moroccan decent, is one of the toughest defenders in the game, tipped by Jaap Stam as his long-term successor. He can play in the centre or on the left.
Club Boulahrouz had a troubled childhood and failed to settle in the youth systems of both AFC Ajax and HFC Haarlem. But after his father died the 16-year-old Khalid took on the responsibility for his family, and he made a breakthrough at RKC Waalwijk under Martin Jol, with his Eredivisie debut coming in March 2000. A regular over the next two seasons, his impressive performances earned him a 2004 move to Hamburger SV. He quickly became a hero at fast-improving Hamburg, where he was nicknamed 'The Cannibal', himself explaining: "I don't let my opponent get into the game for a second. I destroy him and eat him raw." In his first season he helped the German club earn a UEFA Intertoto Cup place, and they won that competition to enter the UEFA Cup in 2005/06, when they rose to third in the Bundesliga with the best defensive record in the division. But before Boulahrouz could make his UEFA Champions League debut for Hamburg he moved to English champions Chelsea FC for a fee estimated at around €12m, agreeing a three-year deal.
National teamA former Under-21 international, Boulahrouz made his senior debut in September 2004 against Liechtenstein and helped the Netherlands to the 2006 FIFA World Cup, although he was sent off in the 1-0 defeat by Portugal in the last 16.
Did you know?He is one of eight brothers and sisters.
