PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2019 (Seattle): Leerdam recorded several MLS career highs in 2019, including starts (27), minutes (2,393) and goals (5). He scored in consecutive matches to open the season, helping Seattle to victories over FC Cincinnati (March 2) and the Colorado Rapids (March 9). Leerdam played every minute of Seattle’s four playoff matches and scored the opening goal in the club’s 3-1 victory over Toronto FC in MLS Cup (November 10).
2018 (Seattle): In his first full season with the club, Leerdam cemented his place as a key component of Seattle’s stout defense, starting 24 matches during the MLS regular season, with a further two appearances as a substitute. Due to an injury early in the season, Leerdam featured sparingly in Seattle’s run in the CONCACAF Champions League, with the right back making a nine-minute appearance in the 3-0 road loss to Chivas de Guadalajara (March 14). The Dutch defender started each of the club’s final 14 matches of the regular season, compiling a record of 12-2-0. During that stretch, Leerdam contributed five assists in wins over Minnesota United (August 4), Vancouver Whitecaps (September 15), Colorado Rapids (September 29), Houston Dynamo (October 8) and Orlando City SC (October 17). For the second consecutive campaign, he started every match for Seattle in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.
2017 (Seattle): Following his midseason acquisition, Leerdam broke into the Sounders FC lineup immediately, starting 16 of the club’s final 17 regular season matches. In his first start, a 3-0 win over the San Jose Earthquakes (July 23), the veteran right back scored his first goal and registered his first assist for the club. Leerdam contributed his second assist for Sounders FC in the club’s final home match of the season, a 3-0 win over the Colorado Rapids (October 22). In the postseason, he started and played every minute of the club’s run to MLS Cup. Leerdam played 1,740 minutes across all competitions and helped secure the defense, as Sounders FC conceded just 10 goals while he was on the pitch.
2016-2017 (Vitesse): In his final season with Vitesse, Leerdam made 28 appearances in the Eredivisie and an additional five appearances in the domestic KNVB Cup. The defender scored a goal in a 2-1 win over FC Groningen (October 1), and added five assists. The club went 5-0-1 in matches in which Leerdam recorded either a goal or an assist. In the KNVB Cup, Leerdam played in five of the club’s six matches during the tournament. He played for 88 minutes in Vitesse’s 2-0 win over AZ Alkmaar in the final, earning him his first professional championship trophy (April 30).
2015-2016 (Vitesse): Leerdam made 15 league appearances during the campaign, scoring one goal and adding an assist. His assist came in a 1-0 win over NEC Nijmegen on November 29, which followed his goal in a 2-2 draw over ADO Den Haag from the previous week. He played full minutes in a pair of losses against Southampton in the third round of Europa League Qualifiers.
2014-2015 (Vitesse): The defender scored two goals and added one assist for Vitesse in 20 league matches. Primarily working in a central midfielder role for most of the campaign, Leerdam recorded a brace in a 6-1 win over ADO Den Haag in October 3, then added an assist the following match in a 4-1 victory versus Willem II. He also played three matches in the KNVB Cup, helping his squad reach the quarterfinals of the tournament.
2013-2014 (Vitesse): in his first campaign with Vitesse, Leerdam scored a career-high eight goals in 26 league appearances. He scored in first two matches with the club (August 4, August 11), then added two more goals in consecutive matches in September. After tallying an assist against FC Utrecht on November 9, the defender recorded a goal in three-consecutive matches, helping Vitesse win six-straight contests.
2012-2013 (Feyenoord): Prior to joining Vitesse, Leerdam made 11 league appearances and 15 reserve appearances in his final campaign with Feyenoord. He also played in a pair of UEFA Champions League Qualification matches against Dynamo Kyiv, falling 3-1. Leerdam played against Sparta Prague in the Qualification Round of Europa League, as well, which Feyenoord lost to the Czech club 4-2.
2011-2012 (Feyenoord): Leerdam played a career-high 31 league matches in the 2011-2012 campaign, recording a goal and adding six assists. He registered a pair of assists in a 3-0 victory against Roda JC (August 13). Feyenoord posted a 6-0-0 record in fixtures that included a goal or an assist from Leerdam.
2010-2011 (Feyenoord): The defender recorded two goals and an assist in 22 league appearances for Feyenoord. He tallied a goal and an assist in a 4-0 win over FC Utrecht in his final appearance of the season (April 10).
2009-2010 (Feyenoord): In his second professional season, Leerdam made 17 appearances in the Eredivisie, plus another three in the KNVB Cup. He recorded an assist in the club’s final match of the season, which resulted in a 6-2 win over Heerenveen (May 2). Leerdam helped the club reach the finals of the KNVP Cup, but Feyenoord came up short to AFC Ajax 6-1.
2008-2009 (Feyenoord): After starring in Feyenoord’s youth club from 2005-2008, Leerdam signed a professional contract with the First Team on June 6. He made his debut in a reserve role against HHC Hardenberg in a KNVB Cup match. He appeared in the Starting XI for the first time against NEC Nijimegen (February 1) and recorded his first assist in a 5-1 win against Heracles Almelo (April 12).
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
Leerdam has represented the Netherlands on the international stage, making 19 appearances and scoring one goal for the club’s U-21 side from 2010-2013. He also recorded three appearances for the U-19 side in 2009.
PERSONAL
Born in Paramaribo, Suriname, Leerdam grew up in the Netherlands and played for the USV Elinkwijk youth club in Utretcht. He joined Feyenoord’s youth system in 2008.
ACQUIRED
Signed to Sounders FC roster on July 1, 2017, using Targeted Allocation Money (TAM).
