Born: 15 November 1983, Alphen aan den Rijn, Netherlands
Joined West Ham: 5 September 2023

John Heitinga returned to English football after spending five years in the Premier League between 2009 and 2014, during which time he made 140 appearances for Everton, the majority of which were played under David Moyes.

Having began his career with Ajax, the central defender was named Dutch Footballer of the Year in 2008 and then enjoyed one season in Spain with Atletico Madrid, before moving to Goodison Park, where he quickly established himself as a versatile and popular figure.

Capped 87 times by the Netherlands, Heitinga played in the 2010 FIFA World Cup final against Spain – becoming the first Everton player to appear in a World Cup final since Alan Ball for England in 1966.

He won the Blues' Player of the Season award in 2011/12, before spending six months at Fulham at the end of the 2013/14 campaign and then a short spell with Hertha Berlin in Germany.

After ending his playing days back in Amsterdam with Ajax in 2016, he remained at the club to begin his coaching career with their famed Academy, leading the Under-19 side for four years, before then stepping up to coach Jong Ajax, their reserve team.

In January 2023, UEFA Pro Licence holder Heitinga stepped into the role of interim head coach following the departure of Alfred Schreuder and helped turn around the club’s season, winning eleven of their final 16 matches.