Bayern have signed a versatile and hugely experienced defender in Daley Blind. fcbayern.com introduces you to the 32-year-old Netherlands international, who has joined the club on a deal until the end of the season.
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Flexible at the back
Blind possesses a wealth of experience from a career spanning more than 14 years.
Blind isn’t just hugely experienced but is highly flexible in where he can be deployed in a team. The 2014 Dutch Footballer of the Year is capable of playing at full-back, holding midfield or in the centre of defence, providing his new coach Julian Nagelsmann with plenty of options. As well as being physically strong and having excellent game intelligence, the son of Champions League winner Danny Blind also possesses finesse on the ball. Blind is regarded as a motivator and team player who doesn’t shy away from responsibility and likes to pass on his expertise to younger players.
Developed at Ajax
Blind made his senior debut for Ajax away at Volendam in December 2008.
Blind’s footballing career began at AFC Amsterdam before joining the academy at Dutch giants Ajax at the age of eight. The current Netherlands international worked his way through the age groups before making his senior debut for the club in 2008. After a six-month loan at Groningen in 2010, Blind went on to become a regular for Ajax. He left in 2014 but returned to his boyhood club four years later up until recently. Blind made a total of 333 competitive appearances for his homeland’s most decorated team, winning the Eredivisie seven times and the KNVB Cup twice.
Four successful years at Manchester United
Blind’s biggest club honour came with the 2017 Europa League title for Manchester United.
Blind moved to England at the age of 24 when Manchester United signed him in summer 2014. During his four years there, where he also played alongside Bayern legend Bastian Schweinsteiger, he was mostly used at left-back in his 141 appearances for the Red Devils. He won four trophies in Manchester with the FA Cup, League Cup and Community Shield, as well as beating boyhood club Ajax 2-0 in the 2017 Europa League final to claim his first piece of European silverware.
Established Dutch international
Blind reached the 2014 World Cup semi-finals with the Netherlands, where they were beaten by Argentina. The Dutch secured third spot with a 3-0 win against Brazil.
Blind has represented his country 99 times at senior level, scoring three times. The defensive all-rounder, who is nicknamed ‘Scholletje Junior’ because of his father, earned his first cap in a friendly against Italy on 6 February 2013. He has been a regular for the national team ever since, featuring at three major tournaments. His greatest success with the Oranje came as they finished third at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The 32-year-old reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup just gone in Qatar alongside new Bayern teammate Matthijs de Ligt before a shootout defeat to eventual champions Argentina.
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