Ronald De Boer

Birth Date: May 15 1970
Birth Place: Hoorn
Birth Nation: Netherlands
Height: 180
Weight: 77
Nationality: Dutch
Position: Midfielder

Both the De Boer brothers came through the kindergartensystem that Ajax made famous throughout the world as thefinest initiation a boy could have in the game.

They are also products of Ajax' grooming off the field,articulate in more than one language, expressive and patientwith the media and fans.

The de Boer brothers had a contract dispute with Ajaxand they sued Ajax and its president, Michael van Praag

The de Boer brothers fought for the right to walk outon a contract that still had six years to run. The casebefore a Dutch tribunal opened in Zeist. The brothers claimedthat their employer broke an oral agreement.

The brothers said that they signed the long term contractin good faith but that Ajax agreed orally that if an offerthat could transform the life and earning capacity of oneof the brothers came along, he would be released providedthe other stayed.

it appears Ajax backed down on that agreement after floatingthe club on the stock market and pledging to share-holdersthat it would hold the de Boers and build around them ateam to recapture the UEFA Champions Cup.

It was European football's longest running transfer sagaand ended when FC Barcelona signed both brothers

Barca had a long standing interest in the pair and theypaid out ?18 million for both of them on the Spanish transferdeadline in January 1999

But Ronald had a disagreement with the way Barcelona weretreating him so in September 2000 Ronald left and signedfor Glasgow Rangers for around ?4.5 million while Frankstayed at Camp Nou

The brothers are regulars in the Dutch national squad.Frank is regarded as one of the best defenders in Europeand Ronald plays wide on the right of attack.