Danzell Gravenberch

Danzell Orlando Marcelino Gravenberch (born 13 February 1994) is a Dutch professional footballer, of Surinamese descent, who plays as a striker for Dutch Eerste Divisie club De Graafschap.

Club Career

Ajax

Born in Amsterdam, Gravenberch began playing football in the youth ranks of local amateur side SV Bijlmer, from where he was recruited to join the Ajax Academy in 2002. Gravenberch helped the Ajax A1 youth squad win the 2011–12 Nike Eredivisie league title. The team finished as runners-up to Inter Milan in the NextGen Series (the Champions League equivalent for under-20 teams) after losing on penalties (5–3) following a 1–1 deadlock after extra time.

On 7 June 2012, it was announced that Gravenberch had signed his first professional contract, a three-year deal binding him to the club until 30 June 2015. Gravenberch began his career in the youth teams of Ajax as a striker, but was moved back to play as a defender while playing for Jong Ajax under manager Fred Grim in the 2012–13 Beloften Eredivisie. Jong Ajax were promoted to the Eerste Divisie, the second tier of professional football in the Netherlands, for the 2013–14 season. Gravenberch made his professional debut in a 2–0 away loss to FC Oss in the Eerste Divisie on 8 August 2013. He was cautioned before being replaced by Sven Nieuwpoort on 46 minutes.

NEC (loan)

On 17 January 2014, it was announced that Gravenberch had been sent on loan to NEC until the end of the season.

Universitatea Cluj

On 4 September 2014, it was announced that Gravenberch had signed with Romanian club Universitatea Cluj. The move came after an unsuccessful trial period with Scottish Premiership side Dundee. Gravenberch signed a 2-year contract with U Cluj, reuniting him with his former coach and now technical director of the club Alfons Groenendijk, as well as newly appointed manager and former Ajax player George Ogararu. He made his Liga I debut on 14 September 2014