Holland 
Kuyt was in real danger of missing out Euro 2008, but an impressive late run of form has seen him make Marco van Basten's final squad.
Kuyt was quickly introduced to football in his early years joining his local amateur side Quick Boys at the tender age of five.
In 1998 at the age of he joined Eredivisie side Utrecht and he was intially employed in a wide role rather than that of a striker.
In the 2002-03 season Kuyt was switched to a striking role by Utrech coach Foeke Booy and the move paid off as Kuyt scored 23 goals in helping Utrehct win the Dutch Cup final against Feyenoord.
Kuyt must have impressed the Feyenoord top brass as that summer he sealed a move to De Kuip as replacement for star striker Pierre Van Hooijdonk.
The 27-year-old's quickly established himself as a firm fans' favourite at De Kuip with his all-action displays and after scoring 20 goals in his debut campaign for the Dutch giants he followed that up in the 2004-05 season with 29 goals to win the top scorer in Holland.
Kuyt made his international debut in Van Basten's first game in charge against Liechtenstein and he established himself as a regular in his plans.
The blond hit-man featured in 11 of Holland 12 qualifying games for the 2006 World Cup and he made three appearances at the finals.
Kuyt was named Dutch Player of the Year in 2006 and after being continually linked with a move away from Feyenoord, Kuyt made an emotional departure from De Kuip in August 2006 to join Liverpool in a £10million deal.
The 27-year-old endeared himself to the Anfield faithful with selfless, hard-working attitude winning him praise from his manager and team-mates.
Kuyt scored 14 goals in his debut season including a winning penalty in the UEFA Champions League semi-final penalty shoot-out victory over Chelsea. He went on to score in the final against Milan, but he could not prevent Liverpool from falling to defeat in Athens
Kuyt suffered personal tragedy death in June 2007 when his father died and by his own admission the player suffered a dip in form which saw him lose his place in the Dutch squad.
However, Kuyt bounced back to top form in the second half of the 2007-08 season with a number of impressive performances to win his place back in van Basten's plans.
A lot of Kuyt's good work goes unnoticed in games, but there is no doubt he is valued by his team-mates because of his whole-hearted attitude.
What he lacks in skill and goalscoring he more than makes up for it with his effort and endeavour.
