Santi Kolk
{{short description|Dutch former professional footballer (born 1981)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2019}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Santi Kolk
| image =
| fullname = Santiago Torti Kolk{{cite web |last1=Kokke |first1=Michiel |title=Santiago 'Santi' Kolk, beschermheilige van Vitesse |url=https://www.gelderlander.nl/vitesse/santiago-santi-kolk-beschermheilige-van-vitesse~a2187bfb/ |website=gelderlander.nl |publisher=De Gelderlander |access-date=19 June 2020 |date=12 June 2007}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1981|10|2|df=y}}
| birth_place = The Hague, Netherlands
| height = 1.80 m
| currentclub =
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 = 1986–1989 |youthclubs1 = Dynamo '67
| youthyears2 = 1989–1995 |youthclubs2 = HVV Laakkwartier
| youthyears3 = 1995–1999 |youthclubs3 = ADO Den Haag
| years1 = 1999–2000 |clubs1 = ADO Den Haag |caps1 = 15 |goals1 = 2
| years2 = 2000–2004 |clubs2 = Heerenveen |caps2 = 26 |goals2 = 1
| years3 = 2001–2002 |clubs3 = → RKC Waalwijk (loan) |caps3 = 21 |goals3 = 1
| years4 = 2003 |clubs4 = → ADO Den Haag (loan) |caps4 = 12 |goals4 = 3
| years5 = 2003–2004 |clubs5 = → Den Bosch (loan) |caps5 = 22 |goals5 = 2
| years6 = 2004–2006 |clubs6 = Feyenoord |caps6 = 0 |goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2004–2005 |clubs7 = → Excelsior (loan) |caps7 = 36 |goals7 = 10
| years8 = 2005–2006 |clubs8 = → Zwolle (loan) |caps8 = 29 |goals8 = 18
| years9 = 2006–2007 |clubs9 = ADO Den Haag |caps9 = 29 |goals9 = 12
| years10 = 2007–2010 |clubs10 = Vitesse |caps10 = 69 |goals10 = 19
| years11 = 2010–2012 |clubs11 = Union Berlin |caps11 = 17 |goals11 = 4
| years12 = 2011–2012 |clubs12 = → NAC Breda (loan) |caps12 = 26 |goals12 = 5
| years13 = 2013 |clubs13 = ADO Den Haag |caps13 = 13 |goals13 = 2
| totalcaps = 315
| totalgoals = 79
| nationalyears1 = 2002 |nationalteam1 = Netherlands U21 |nationalcaps1 = 1 |nationalgoals1 = 0
}}
Santiago Torti "Santi" Kolk (born 2 October 1981) is a Dutch former professional footballer. He currently works as a football agent. He mostly played as a forward during his career.
Kolk emerged as a talent from the ADO Den Haag academy in 1999, scoring in his senior debut. He signed with Heerenveen the following year, where he made his European debut, but soon saw himself loaned out to second-tier clubs. After a stint with Feyenoord, where he made no appearances, he returned to ADO where he experienced a breakout season, scoring 12 goals in 30 games which facilitated a move to Vitesse. Three successful seasons prompted him to join German 2. Bundesliga club Union Berlin. Injuries hindered him during his time there, and he retired as part of ADO in November 2013.
After his retirement, Kolk has worked as an agent for Juzzt Football, representing Denzel Dumfries among others.
Club career
=ADO Den Haag=
Born in The Hague, Kolk played youth football for Dynamo '67 in Rijswijk and HVV Laakkwartier, before joining the ADO Den Haag youth academy as a 15-year-old.{{cite web |title=Vooruitblikken med: Santi Kolk |url=https://adodenhaag.nl/nl/nieuws/laatste-nieuws/overig/2350-vooruitblikken-met--santi-kolk |publisher=ADO Den Haag |access-date=5 February 2021 |language=nl |date=12 September 2013}} He made his professional debut on 29 August 1999 as part of the ADO Den Haag first team in a home match against NAC Breda. Coming on as a second-half substitute for Dennis Iliohan, he scored his first goal after only being on the pitch for one minute as ADO won 3–0.{{cite web |title=ADO Den Haag - NAC Breda 3:0 |url=https://www.voetbal.com/wedstrijdverslag/eerste-divisie-1999-2000-ado-den-haag-nac-breda/ |website=voetbal.com |publisher=voetbal.com |access-date=19 June 2020}}
=Heerenveen=
In 2000, Kolk signed a five-year contract with SC Heerenveen at age 18 as an emerging talent.{{cite news |title=Santi Kolk blijft bij Heerenveen |url=https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/santi-kolk-blijft-bij-heerenveen |access-date=5 February 2021 |work=Voetbal International |date=4 July 2002 |language=Dutch}} He made his debut for the club on 26 August 2000 in a 2–0 away win over Fortuna Sittard.{{cite news |title=Heerenveen wint wel, maar steekt nog niet in beste vorm |url=https://www.volkskrant.nl/sport/heerenveen-wint-wel-maar-steekt-nog-niet-in-beste-vorm~bf3b5245/ |access-date=5 February 2021 |work=De Volkskrant |date=26 August 2000 |language=nl}} On 25 October, Kolk made his European debut in the UEFA Champions League group stage match against Lyon, coming on as a 68th-minute substitute for Jeffrey Talan in a 2–0 home loss.{{cite web |title=SC Heerenveen 0 - 2 Olympique Lyonnais |url=http://uefa.com/UCL/Matches/md05/05HVON/index.html |website=UEFA |access-date=5 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001210134500/http://uefa.com/UCL/Matches/md05/05HVON/index.html |archive-date=10 December 2000 |date=25 October 2000}}{{cite news |title=Muligheder for Olympiakos og Lyon |url=https://www.bt.dk/sport/muligheder-for-olympiakos-og-lyon |access-date=5 February 2021 |work=B.T. |date=25 October 2000 |language=da}} He scored his first goal for Heerenveen on 17 December in a 3–0 away win over RBC Roosendaal. During his first season at the club, he would mostly appear as a substitute, as the club finished in a disappointing 10th place.{{cite web |title=Eredivisie 2000/2001 » 34. Ronde |url=https://www.voetbal.com/wedstrijdgegevens/ned-eredivisie-2000-2001-spieltag/34/ |website=voetbal.com |access-date=5 February 2021}}
After returning from a loan at ADO, Kolk's chances of playing time improved after fellow forward Romano Denneboom was told to leave.{{cite news |title=Heerenveen wil af van Romano Denneboom |url=https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/heerenveen-wil-af-van-romano-denneboom |access-date=5 February 2021 |work=Voetbal International |date=26 August 2003 |language=nl}} This meant that Kolk was in the starting lineup against Spanish club Villarreal in the play-off round of the UEFA Cup on 26 August 2003.{{cite news |title=Machteloos Heerenveen grijpt naast UEFA Cup |url=https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/machteloos-heerenveen-grijpt-naast-uefa-cup |access-date=5 February 2021 |work=Voetbal International |date=26 August 2003 |language=nl}} At Heerenveen, however, he clashed with head coach Foppe de Haan, which Kolk later admitted was due to his own "selfishness".{{cite news |title=Puur omdat ik een eigenwijze snotjongen was, zo simpel is het |url=https://www.feanonline.nl/nieuws/historie-oud-spelers/217188/puur-omdat-ik-een-eigenwijze-snotjongen-was-zo-simpel-is-het |access-date=5 February 2021 |work=Fean Online |date=6 March 2019 |language=nl}}
==Loans==
On 15 October 2001, RKC Waalwijk agreed to loan Kolk for the remainder of the season in order for him to gain more playing time.{{cite news |title=RKC huurt Kolk van Heerenveen |url=https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/rkc-huurt-kolk-van-heerenveen |access-date=5 February 2021 |work=Voetbal International |date=15 October 2001 |language=nl}} He made his first appearance for the club on 20 October in a 3–1 away loss to Willem II.
He spent the second half of the 2002–03 season on loan with his former club ADO Den Haag and the entire 2003–04 season Den Bosch, winning the second-tier Eerste Divisie with both clubs.{{cite news |title=Titel Gouden Gids Divisie naar ADO Den Haag |url=https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/titel-gouden-gids-divisie-naar-ado-den-haag |access-date=5 February 2021 |work=Voetbal International |date=23 May 2003 |language=nl}}
{{cite news |title=FC Den Bosch kampioen door supersub |url=https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/fc-den-bosch-kampioen-door-supersub |access-date=5 February 2021 |work=Voetbal International |date=14 May 2004 |language=nl}}
=Feyenoord=
On 14 August 2004, it was announced that Feyenoord had signed Kolk on a two-year contract with an option for two additional years. As part of the deal, Kolk was sent on loan to satellite club Excelsior.{{cite web |title=Feyenoord akkoord met Santi Kolk |url=https://www.feyenoord.nl/nieuws/nieuwsoverzicht/62807 |website=feyenoord.nl |publisher=Feyenoord |access-date=5 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205101323/https://www.feyenoord.nl/nieuws/nieuwsoverzicht/62807 |archive-date=5 February 2021 |language=nl |date=14 August 2004}} He scored 10 goals in 34 league appearances for the club during the 2004–05 season in which Excelsior finished 12th in the Eerste Divisie. Kolk later recalled his season with the club: "it was a team where fun was key. We laughed so much."{{cite news |last1=Thomas |first1=Luke |title=Santi Kolk blikt terug op zijn tijd bij Excelsior: "Leek net een schoolkamp" |url=https://www.elfvoetbal.nl/Binnenland/271629/Santi-Kolk-blikt-terug-op-zijn-tijd-bij-Excelsior-Leek-net-een-schoolkamp |access-date=5 February 2021 |work=ELF Voetbal |date=16 March 2018 |language=nl}}
On 31 August 2005, Kolk was sent on a one-season loan to Zwolle, with Dominggus Lim-Duan making a move in the opposite direction to Excelsior.{{cite news |title=FC Zwolle huurt Santi Kolk |url=https://www.rtvdrenthe.nl/nieuws/5237/FC-Zwolle-huurt-Santi-Kolk |access-date=5 February 2021 |work=RTV Drenthe |date=31 August 2005 |language=nl}} He had a highly successful season at the club, and finished as shared top scorer of the Eerste Divisie with 19 goals, alongside Berry Powel.{{cite web |title=Eerste Divisie 2005/2006 » Scorers |url=https://www.voetbal.com/doelpuntenmakers/ned-jupiler-league-2005-2006/ |website=voetbal.com |publisher=voetbal.com |access-date=19 June 2020}}{{cite news |title=Kolk in laatste wedstrijd mede-topscorer |url=https://www.elfvoetbal.nl/Overige/212244/Kolk-in-laatste-wedstrijd-mede-topscorer |access-date=5 February 2021 |work=ELF Voetbal |date=8 April 2006 |language=nl}}
=Return to ADO=
On 11 May 2006, Kolk returned to his first senior club ADO on a two-year contract.{{cite news |title=Santi Kolk verhuist naar ADO Den Haag |url=https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/santi-kolk-verhuist-naar-ado-den-haag |access-date=5 February 2021 |work=Voetbal International |date=11 May 2006 |language=nl}} He made 30 appearances during the 2006–07 season, in which he scored 12 goals as he could not heed the club from relegation, with ADO finishing bottom of the league.{{cite news |title=ADO Den Haag degradeert uit Eredivisie |url=https://www.trouw.nl/nieuws/ado-den-haag-degradeert-uit-eredivisie~b47829c8/ |access-date=5 February 2021 |work=Trouw |date=14 April 2007 |language=nl}}
In 2007, after having played for seven clubs in eight years, Kolk commented on the fact that he had played for a relatively large number of different clubs, by stating: "I am sort of the Dutch Christian Vieri."[https://archive.today/20130624205211/http://www.voetbalprimeur.nl/nieuws/item/kolk-voelt-zich-de-nederlandse-vieri 'Kolk voelt zich de Nederlandse Vieri'.] Voetbalprimeur.nl. 6 juni 2007. (Dutch){{cite web |title=Santi Kolk: 'Ik ben de Nederlandse Vieri' |url=https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/santi-kolk-ik-ben-de-nederlandse-vieri |website=vi.nl |publisher=Voetbal International |access-date=19 June 2020 |date=5 June 2007}}
=Vitesse=
Kolk signed a four-year contract with Vitesse on 31 May 2007, after turning down an offer from Twente.{{cite news |title=Santi Kolk geeft voorkeur aan Vitesse |url=https://www.trouw.nl/nieuws/santi-kolk-geeft-voorkeur-aan-vitesse~b5e82c78/ |access-date=5 February 2021 |work=Trouw |date=31 May 2007 |language=nl}} Signing with Vitesse, he was united with fellow Hagenees, head coach Aad de Mos who played a substantial role in signing Kolk. He would grow into a key player for the club, scoring 12 goals in 2008.{{cite news |title=Santi Kolk onbedreigd beste spits van Vitesse |url=https://www.gelderlander.nl/vitesse/santi-kolk-onbedreigd-beste-spits-van-vitesse~aa81a582/ |access-date=5 February 2021 |work=De Gelderlander |date=29 December 2008 |language=nl}}
In October 2009, Kolk lost his place in the starting lineup after suffering an achilles tendon injury.{{cite news |title=Kolk haakt af bij Vitesse, Jenner vervanger |url=https://www.fcupdate.nl/voetbalnieuws/130733/kolk-haakt-af-bij-vitesse-jenner-vervanger/ |access-date=5 February 2021 |work=FCUpdate.nl |date=16 October 2009 |language=nl}} While he recuperated from the injury, Nicky Hofs and Lasse Nilsson formed a duo in attack, with Kolk only returning as a starter on 22 January 2010 after a suspension for Hofs.{{cite news |title=Kolk na maanden terug in basis Vitesse |url=https://www.fcupdate.nl/voetbalnieuws/137338/kolk-na-maanden-terug-in-basis-vitesse/ |access-date=5 February 2021 |work=FCUpdate.nl |date=22 January 2010 |language=nl}} His contract was not renewed after the 2009–10 season. He made 87 appearances during his time at Vitesse, in which he scored 23 goals.{{cite news |title=Santi Kolk van Vitesse naar Union Berlin |url=https://www.fcupdate.nl/voetbalnieuws/150876/santi-kolk-van-vitesse-naar-union-berlin/ |access-date=5 February 2021 |work=FCUpdate.nl |date=5 July 2010 |language=nl}}
=Union Berlin=
In July 2010, Kolk agreed to a three-year contract with 1. FC Union Berlin, who at that point were playing in the 2. Bundesliga.{{cite news |title=Spielmacher Santi Kolk verpflichtet |url=https://www.kicker.de/spielmacher-santi-kolk-verpflichtet-527247/artikel |access-date=5 February 2021 |work=kicker |date=5 July 2010 |language=de}} He made his debut for the club on 15 August against Hallescher FC. In his second game on 28 August, he scored a goal against SpVgg Greuther Fürth.{{cite news |title=Müller und Nöthe bringen Pfeffer ins Spiel |url=https://www.kicker.de/union-gegen-fuerth-2010-bundesliga-1013542/analyse |access-date=5 February 2021 |work=kicker |date=28 August 2010 |language=de}} He scored three goals in his first six games, after which his season was repeatedly interrupted by injuries and ended prematurely in March 2011 with a foot injury.{{cite news |title=Santi Kolk hat sich am linken Fuß verletzt |url=https://www.morgenpost.de/sport/union/article104859053/Santi-Kolk-hat-sich-am-linken-Fuss-verletzt.html |access-date=5 February 2021 |work=Berliner Morgenpost |date=17 March 2011 |language=de}} In total, he made 17 appearances and scored four goals in the 2010–11 season.{{Soccerway|2155|accessdate=5 February 2021}} In the 2011–12 season Kolk would go on to play for NAC Breda on loan.{{cite news |title=Union leiht Kolk an Breda aus |url=https://www.kicker.de/union-leiht-kolk-an-breda-aus-555076/artikel |access-date=5 February 2021 |work=kicker |date=13 July 2011 |language=de}} In June 2012, Union and Kolk decided to terminate his contract by mutual consent, making him a free agent.{{cite news |title=Union trennt sich von Polenz und Kolk |url=https://www.kicker.de/union-trennt-sich-von-polenz-und-kolk-570651/artikel |access-date=5 February 2021 |work=kicker |date=17 June 2012 |language=de}}
In January 2013, Kolk returned to ADO Den Haag for the fourth time in his career.{{cite web |title=Santi Kolk tekent bij ADO Den Haag |url=https://adodenhaag.nl/nl/nieuws/laatste-nieuws/overig/2032-santi-kolk-tekent-bij-ado-den-haag |website=adodenhaag.nl |publisher=ADO Den Haag |access-date=19 June 2020 |date=17 January 2013}} He had secured a contract after a successful trial where he, among others, impressed at the team's training camp in Estepona.{{cite news |title=Santi Kolk naar ADO Den Haag |url=https://www.hetkrantje-online.nl/nieuws/actueel/37273/santi-kolk-naar-ado-den-haag |access-date=5 February 2021 |work=Het Krantje |date=18 January 2013 |language=nl}}
Kolk announced his retirement from football on 27 November 2013, after a move to the Indian Super League fell through. He would instead focus on obtaining his coaching diploma.{{cite news |title=Santi Kolk stopt met voetballen |url=https://nos.nl/artikel/580055-santi-kolk-stopt-met-voetballen.html |access-date=5 February 2021 |work=NOS |date=27 November 2013 |language=nl}}
International career
Kolk also played in several Dutch national youth teams. He was part of Louis van Gaal's squad for the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship in Argentina.{{cite web |title='Robben-Huntelaar-Kolk tegen Costa Rica; aardige aanval' |url=https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/robbenhuntelaarkolk-tegen-costa-rica-aardige-aanval |website=vi.nl |publisher=Voetbal International |access-date=19 June 2020 |date=5 July 2014}}
Post-playing career
In 2014, a year after retiring from football, Kolk started as an agent and was hired by Juzzt Football, a Dutch football agency.{{cite web |title=Santi Kolk aan de slag als zaakwaarnemer |url=https://www.bndestem.nl/overig/santi-kolk-aan-de-slag-als-zaakwaarnemer~a9d71b6f/ |website=bndestem.nl |publisher=BN DeStem |access-date=19 June 2020 |date=5 November 2014}} He represented Denzel Dumfries until 2019.{{cite web |last1=Elfrink |first1=Rik |title=Ook PSV is aan zet in de slag om Dumfries |url=https://www.ed.nl/psv/ook-psv-is-aan-zet-in-de-slag-om-dumfries~aaadf41e/?referrer=https://www.google.com/ |website=ed.nl |publisher=Eindhovens Dagblad |access-date=19 June 2020 |date=25 May 2020}}
Honours
ADO Den Haag
Den Bosch
- Eerste Divisie: 2003–04{{cite news |title=FC Den Bosch kampioen door supersub |url=https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/fc-den-bosch-kampioen-door-supersub |access-date=2 January 2024 |work=Voetbal International |date=14 May 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017061856/https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/fc-den-bosch-kampioen-door-supersub |archive-date=17 October 2022 |language=nl}}{{cite web |title=FC Den Bosch: Squad 2003/2004 |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/fc-den-bosch/2004/2/ |website=WorldFootball.net |publisher=HEIM:SPIEL |access-date=2 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240102195957/https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/fc-den-bosch/2004/2/ |archive-date=2 January 2024}}
Individual
References
{{reflist}}
{{Eerste Divisie top scorers}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kolk, Santi}}
Category:Dutch men's footballers
Category:Netherlands men's youth international footballers
Category:21st-century Dutch sportsmen
Category:Netherlands men's under-21 international footballers
Category:Footballers from The Hague
Category:SC Heerenveen players
Category:Excelsior Rotterdam players
Category:1. FC Union Berlin players
Category:Eerste Divisie players
Category:2. Bundesliga players
Category:Dutch expatriate men's footballers
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Germany
Category:Men's association football wingers
Category:Men's association football forwards