Sieb Dijkstra Player Profile

Biography

Sieb's career began with Dutch side Roda JC, but after struggling to break into the first team, he went out on loan to AZ Alkmaar and Hasselt KSC. Tommy McLean, then manager of Motherwell, brought the keeper to Scotland in August 1991 as a replacement for Ally Maxwell, who was involved in a contract dispute with the club. Originally second choice behind former United keeper Billy Thomson, he made the No.1 jersey his own a year later and remained first choice until his move to Queens Park Rangers for £350,000 in June 1994.

Appearances were limited during his two years at Loftus Road, and he was farmed out on loan to both Bristol City then Wycombe Wanderers. When Tommy McLean took over as manager at United, Sieb became his fourth signing in December 1996 in a deal reported to be worth £100,000, ironically replacing Ally Maxwell once more as first choice keeper. The Dutchman made his debut three days later against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park. and played in every match throughout the rest of the season, helping United finish in third place in the Premier Division and qualify for Europe.

A big keeper who commanded his penalty box, he became a cult hero at Tannadice, and collected a runners-up medal after the defeat to Celtic in the 1997 League Cup final at Ibrox. He was an ever-present throughout the 1997-98 season and started off the 1998-99 season as first choice keeper, before being displaced by Alan Combe for a spell late in 1998. Back into the first team in January, he played in most games through until the last game of the season, where manager Paul Sturrock gave him a cameo as a substitute for his final appearance to say goodbye to the fans.

Leaving United when his contract expired, he had a trial with Ipswich Town before returning to the Netherlands to play for VV Sittard and RBC Roosendaal. He finished his career with German side Germania Teveren in 2002, later becoming a goalkeeping coach in Holland.

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