Dennis Bergkamp named as the sixth player to enter the Premier League’s Hall of Fame

Dennis Bergkamp has become the sixth player to be inducted into the Premier League‘s Hall of Fame, it was announced on Wednesday afternoon.  

The silky-smooth Dutchman scored 87 goals and provided 94 assists over 315 top flight appearances for the Gunners, helping guide the north Londoners to three Premier League titles. 

Bergkamp’s arrival at Highbury from Inter Milan in 1995 kickstarted a transformation of English football’s top division, with his outstanding technical ability and skill providing the benchmark for the rest of the league. 

Dennis Bergkamp has become the sixth player inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame 

The Dutchman won three Premier League titles and helped transform the English game

‘It feels special to be part of a small group of players who got the recognition of playing in the strongest league in the world,’ Bergkamp told the Premier League’s official website. ‘I’m honoured. 

‘I’m extremely proud if people say that I was one of the first foreign players who added something to the English game.

‘The Premier League most definitely made me a better player. From the moment I arrived in England I’ve embraced the English mentality and passion for football, it suited me and my style of play.

‘Playing every game against good and tough opponents meant I improved all the time. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.’

The Dutch international was the scorer of one of the Premier League’s greatest ever goals, when he executed a magnificent turn and finish against Newcastle United in 2002.

That goal was voted by fans as the best goal scored in the Premier League in the last 25 years. 

 

However, Bergkamp rates his goal to clinch a hat-trick against Leicester in 1997 – the first Premier League hat-trick scored by a Dutchman – higher than the St James’ Park strike. 

‘A lot of people would pick my goal against Newcastle [United, in March 2002],’ the Arsenal legend added. ‘However, my favourite is the third goal of my hat-trick against Leicester [City] in 1997.

‘The run, control, touch and finish all needed to be done at high quality and pace. It was a goal where every move went how I’d planned it in my head.’

Bergkamp joins ex-Arsenal team-mate Thierry Henry as well as Alan Shearer, Roy Keane, Eric Cantona and Frank Lampard in the Hall of Fame.  

More to follow.