A towering defender who stands at six feet two inches, Daniel Van Buyten is a professional football player from Germany. A massive aerial threat due to his height, Van Buyten has been regularly used as a striker, especially when his team’s in dire straits.
Van Buyten began his playing career at the youth squad of JS Froidchapelle, in 1986. Spending five years at the team, Van Buyten moved to Olympic Charleroi, in 1991. In 1993, he moved to UBS Auvelais and then to FC Somzee in 1994.
Finally, in 1997, Van Buyten moved to Royal Charleroi Sporting Club, where he made his senior debut a year later.
| Position | Defender |
| Height / weight | 1.97 m / 96 kg |
| Born | 7 Feb 1978 |
| Nationality |
Belgium
|
| Team History | |
Bayern
|
2006 - 2014 |
Kleine Bayern (little Bayern)
|
2010 - 2011 |
Hamburger
|
2004 - 2006 |
Man City
|
2004 (loan) |
Marseille
|
2001 - 2004 |
Standard Liege
|
1999 - 2001 |
Charleroi
|
1998 - 1999 |
Playing in the Belgian League, Van Buyten’s height grabbed the attention of all the scouts. After just one year, he moved to Belgian giants, Standard Liege. At Standard, Van Buyten finally got regular action and in two seasons, played almost 60 games on his way to 7 goals. This earned him a transfer to France, in 2001.
When Olympique de Marseille picked up Van Buyten, it was with the intention of using his height at the back. After a promising start for the French team, Van Buyten’s form began dipping and towards the end of his contract, he was barely seeing any action on the field. Marseille arranged for a loan move to Manchester City, which turned out to be quite ordinary.
After his contract expired in 2004, Van Buyten moved to Hamburger SV where he regained his influential game. There was little that he could do wrong as Van Buyten played over 60 games in two seasons, scoring 7 goals in the process.
Bayern Munich noticed this man’s potential & rising skill levels and decided to bring him in to boost their defence.
Playing, as a midfielder at times and, mostly as a defender, Van Buyten began striking the right cords at Bayern Munich. Since signing with the team in 2006, he was part of the 2007-08 and 2009-10 Bundesliga title winning teams, that also went on to win the German Cup in those years. In 2010, Van Buyten helped FC Hollywood win the 2010 DFL-Supercup and also reach the finals of the UEFA Champions League, where they lost to Internazionale Milan.
At the international level, Van Buyten has been a key member of the Belgian squad since 2001. Having played almost 60 games for the side, Van Buyten has scored 9 goals and has been one of the most influential members of a team that has been solid against weaker opponents. He has helped the national team gain a lot more solidity in defence, helping them make up for the lack of exceptional talent up front.
