Javier Martina

Javier Martina
Personal information
Full name Javier Sylvester Martina
Date of birth (1987-02-01) 1 February 1987 (age 37)
Place of birth Willemstad, Netherlands Antilles
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s) Winger
Youth career
1999–2001 SV Bijlmer
2001–2003 Amstelveen Heemraad
2003–2005 FC Omniworld
2005–2008 Ajax
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2010 Ajax 2 (0)
2010HFC Haarlem (loan) 1 (0)
2011 Toronto FC 23 (2)
2012–2013 Dordrecht 9 (0)
2013–2015 Rijnsburgse Boys 44 (2)
2015–2016 VVA '71
2016 SV Nieuw Utrecht
2016–2020 Zeeburgia
International career
2004–2006 Netherlands U19 10 (0)
2006–2008 Netherlands U20 11 (2)
2011 Curaçao 3 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Javier Sylvester Martina (born 1 February 1987) is a Curaçaoan former professional footballer who played as a winger. He has represented the Curaçao national team.[1]

Club career

Netherlands

Born in Willemstad, Netherlands Antilles (now known as Curaçao), Martina began his career with SV Bijlmer (Amsterdam, Netherlands). After two years, he joined Amstelveen Heemraad in the summer of 2001. In July 2003, he left Amsteleen Heemraad to sign for FC Omniworld, from where he was scouted by Jong AFC Ajax in the summer of 2005.[2]

He played three years for the AFC Ajax youth team, before he was promoted to the Eredivisie team in June 2008.[3] The highly rated right winger made his official Ajax debut in the 2008 season in a 2–0 Eredivisie win against Twente. Martina started the match and assisted on his club's first goal of the match.[4] In Summer 2009, he was linked with a move to Italian side Bari.[5] In January 2010 he was sent on loan to HFC Haarlem playing only one game before the team went bankrupt. He returned to Jong Ajax before he was released in the summer of 2010.

After being released by Ajax, Martina continued to train with Ajax and went on trial with Zwolle after manager Art Langeler saw Martina can play in wings and was keen to sign him.[6] Martina went on trial with Willem II, hoping to win a contract.[7] But on 4 January, Martina ended a trial with Willem II.[8]

Canada

In January 2011, Martina joined Canadian club Toronto FC of Major League Soccer on trial for their pre-season in Antalya, Turkey.[9] On 15 February 2011 it was reported that he had agreed to terms with the Canadian club.[10] However it was not officially announced by the Canadian club until 9 March 2011. Martina was one of three Dutch players signed by Toronto, both Nick Soolsma and Elbekay Bouchiba also joined the club.[11] Martina made his debut for the team on 19 March 2011 versus Vancouver Whitecaps FC in the first all Canadian match-up in the league.[12] One week later during the second game of the season Martina scored two goals against Portland, leading Toronto to a 2–0 home victory.[13] Martina's second goal of the match was a one touch volley direct from goalkeeper Stefan Frei, which earned him MLS Goal of the Week honours.[14] Throughout the rest of the season, Martina was soon less successful and failed to make an impact as he went to make 21 appearances.

Martina was waived by Toronto on 23 November 2011.[15]

Return to Netherlands

Ahead of a new season in 2012–13, Martina desired to continue his career in Eerste Divisie, by playing for Dordrecht and was signed for them on 22 August 2012, with a one-year contract.[16] Martina made his debut on 1 October 2012, coming on as a substitute, in a 3–0 win over Helmond Sport.

He played amateur football between 2013 and 2020, ending his career with Zeeburgia.[1]

International career

He was a member of the Netherlands U-20 team at the 2007 Toulon Tournament.[17] Martina was called up by his country of birth, Curaçao for 2014 World Cup qualifying in September 2011[18]

Personal life

His brother Cuco is also a footballer.[19]

References

  1. ^ a b Pater, Oscar (26 April 2018). "Waarom Javier Martina het niet heeft gered als profvoetballer". VICE (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 17 November 2024. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  2. ^ Clubs uit de markt voor Martina
  3. ^ Martina blijft voorlopig bij Ajax
  4. ^ Martina set to leave Ajax
  5. ^ "Ajacied Martina krijgt uitzicht op Serie A" (in Dutch). Voetbal International. 17 September 2009. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  6. ^ "FC Zwolle test twee buitenspelers". Oost (in Dutch). 3 December 2010. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  7. ^ "Martina weer op proef bij Willem II". NU.nl (in Dutch). 3 January 2011. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  8. ^ Cox, Sander (11 January 2011). "'Dit heeft niks met voetbal te maken'". Versgeperst.com Curacao (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 6 June 2013. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  9. ^ "Reds Reveal Trialists". TorontoFC.ca. 29 January 2011. Archived from the original on 7 April 2012. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  10. ^ "Coach Winter brings three Dutch to Canada (in Dutch:Trainer Winter haalt drie Nederlanders naar Canada)" (in Dutch). Nu.nl sports. 15 February 2011. Retrieved 13 January 2012.
  11. ^ "TFC Inks Dutch Trio". Toronto FC. 9 March 2011. Archived from the original on 12 March 2011. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  12. ^ "Toronto Falls Short in Vancouver". Toronto FC. 19 March 2011. Archived from the original on 25 December 2014. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
  13. ^ "Martina Brace Leads The Way". Toronto FC. 26 March 2011. Archived from the original on 7 April 2012. Retrieved 26 March 2011.
  14. ^ "Martina's blast wins AT&T Goal of the Week". Major League Soccer. 1 April 2011. Archived from the original on 2 April 2019. Retrieved 1 April 2011.
  15. ^ "Players waived as teams begin to shape rosters for 2012". MLS Page. 23 November 2011. Archived from the original on 8 May 2013. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  16. ^ "Javier Martina draw at FC Dordrecht(in :Javier Martina draw at FC Dordrecht)" (in Dutch). De Weekkrant. 23 August 2012. Archived from the original on 22 February 2013. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  17. ^ Martina naar België of Australië
  18. ^ "Four Reds Called For World Cup Qualifiers". Toronto FC. 26 August 2011. Archived from the original on 26 August 2012. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  19. ^ "IN PROFILE: Cuco Martina". Southampton F.C. 7 July 2015. Archived from the original on 30 December 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.