Anderson began his football career with AFC in Amsterdam before joining the Ajax Youth Academy in 2010. He had briefly interrupted his football career to pursue a career in gymnastics, before returning to football. On 23 April 2012, Anderson signed his first professional contract with Ajax, binding him to the club until 30 June 2015.[2] During the 2013–14 season Anderson began playing for the Ajax A1 selection, the under-19 side of the club, making three appearances in the UEFA Youth League, the Champions League equivalent for under-19 teams. Due to the absence of several reserves, who were competing Internationally on Matchday 7 of the Eerste Divisie, Anderson made his professional debut playing for the reserves team Jong Ajax in the away match against Achilles '29, which ended in a 2–1 loss. After the winter break in January it was announced that he would not return to the under-19 squad and would remain with Jong Ajax for the remainder of the season, making eight appearances in total.[3]
AZ
On 19 June 2014, it was announced that Anderson would transfer to AZ. With newly appointed head coach Marco van Basten taking a particular interest in the young player, a transfer fee of €200,000 was agreed upon between the two clubs, with Anderson signing on for three years.[4] He made his Eredivisie debut on 8 November 2014 in a 1–0 away win against NAC Breda.[5]
Cambuur
On 19 August 2015, it was announced that Anderson had signed a two-year contract with Eredivisie side SC Cambuur.[6]
Bari
On 7 September 2017, it was announced that Anderson had signed with Bari in the Italian Serie B.[7]
Lazio
On 27 July 2018, Djavan signed for Serie A side Lazio on a free transfer.[8]
Salernitana (loan)
On 17 August 2018, Djavan joined Serie B club Salernitana on loan until 30 June 2019.[9]
PEC Zwolle (loan)
On 31 January 2022, Anderson returned to the Netherlands and joined PEC Zwolle on loan until the end of the season.[10]
Oxford United
On 1 September 2022, Anderson signed for Oxford United on a one-year deal, with an option for a further year.[11] On 13 September, he made his league debut for the club, coming on in the 75th minute in a 1–0 defeat to Plymouth Argyle. On 29 October, Anderson scored his first goal for the club in a 3–1 win against Bolton Wanderers. This was Anderson's only goal in 25 league appearances (9 of them as substitute) for Oxford.[12] His contract extension clause was not activated at the end of the 2022–23 season.[13]
International career
Born in the Netherlands, Anderson is of Jamaican and Surinamese descent.[14] On 2 February 2012, Anderson made his debut for the Netherlands under-17 side in a match at the XXXV Torneio Int. do Algarve '12 against France U-17 in a 1–0 victory. He was a part of the Netherlands U17 team to compete in the 2012 UEFA European Under-17 Championship in Slovenia where the Dutch secured their second title in the competition, playing in all matches and helping his team to defeat Germany U-17 in the final. On 11 September 2012 Anderson made his debut for the Netherlands under-18 squad in a friendly match against the United States U-18. The match ended in a 4–2 loss.
In March 2022 he was called up for Suriname for a friendly match against Thailand.[15]
