SECAUCUS, NJ - AC Milan star and four-time UEFA Champions League winner Clarence Seedorf visited the New York Red Bulls training facility this morning at Montclair State University. The 31-year-old was in the area during a worldwide tour to promote his foundation, Champions for Children and explore soccer around the globe. Seedorf watched training, met with Red Bulls players and coaches and spoke with members of the local media.
"I'm here to meet people of the management and talk a little bit about the reality of soccer in the States and in the club," Seedorf said. "It's a great pleasure to be here."
"He's obviously a remarkable player. He's had a great career and a fantastic year, scoring goals recently in the Champions League," said Red Bulls Sporting Director and Head Coach Bruce Arena. "He's a real success story in the game."
Seedorf was able to catch up with midfielder Dave van den Bergh, who he started playing soccer with at the age of 10 in Holland, and goalkeeper Ronald Waterreus. All three have seen time together with the Dutch senior national team.
A midfielder for AC Milan since 2002, Seedorf has won two Champions League titles with the Serie A power, most recently guiding his team past English Premiership side Liverpool, 2-1, on May 23 in Athens, Greece in the final of this year's tournament. He has also helped AC Milan win the Serie A title (2004), the Italian Cup (2003) and the Italian Super Cup (2004).
A Dutch international, Seedorf has earned 80 caps and scored 11 goals for his country and has featured for a number of other top squads in Europe. Starting with Ajax Amsterdam (1992-1995) and winning his first Champions League title in 1995, Seedorf spent a year with Serie A side Sampdoria. Seedorf then moved onto Real Madrid (1996-2000), where he won another Champions League title in 1998. The midfielder transferred to Inter Milan during the 2000 season and in 2002, Seedorf joined Inter's bitter rival, AC Milan. He is the only player to have won four Champions League cups playing for three different teams - all from different counties.
His foundation, Champions for Children, is a non-profit foundation born to protect and support the conditions in which children and young people grow up in developing countries. In particular, Champions for Children gives aid to those countries where natural disaster, war or economic hardship has made it difficult for human beings to develop with dignity. Champions for Children helps fund the construction of schools, sports centers and other infrastructure, and provides educational opportunities, among other services.
The first-place Red Bulls' next match is on Saturday, June 30, when they travel to Columbus, OH to face the Columbus Crew at 8 PM ET (TV: MSG, HDNet).
