Robin van Persie (born 6 August 1983 in Rotterdam) is a Dutchfootballer who plays for English Premier League club Arsenal and the Dutch national team.
The son of two artists, Van Persie was encouraged to follow in his
parents' footsteps, but he instead preferred football and joined SBV Excelsior's youth squad in 2001. He made his breakthrough at hometown club Feyenoord, where he spent three seasons and won the 2002 UEFA Cup. In 2004, he moved to England and signed with Arsenal, with whom he promptly won the FA Community Shield, and the FA Cup. Van Persie has 33 caps and 12 goals with the Netherlands, and participated in the 2006 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2008.
