BIOGRAPHY
Kelvin Leerdam was born on June 24, 1990 in Paramaribo, Suriname. He is a right-back in Major League Soccer.
Leerdam started his career at local Utrecht club USV Elinkwijk. Feyenoord followed the midfielder for many years and eventually joined the Feyenoord youth academy in the season 2005–06. Coming from an amateur side, Leerdam had a difficult start in the Feyenoord youth. The first two seasons he was mainly used as a substitute. Leerdam joined a successful generation in Feyenoord U17, where he had to compete with players like Leroy Fer, Georginio Wijnaldum and Kevin Wattamaleo for a place on the midfield. After two years, when other players took their chance on a higher level, Leerdam became a regular starter in the U19 team. Thanks to his hard work and dedication, Leerdam eventually made it to Feyenoord's first team squad as well. In January 2007, Leerdam was invited to the first team's training camp in Belek, Turkey, by Feyenoord manager Erwin Koeman. On June 6, 2008, Leerdam signed his first professional contract. On November 13, 2008, Leerdam made his official debut in Feyenoord's first team. Leerdam replaced Karim El Ahmadi in the 69th minute of the KNVB Cup 5–1 away win against HHC Hardenberg. On January 14, 2013, he signed a pre-contract deal with Vitesse. On July 2nd, it was announced that Leerdam signed a three-year deal with the Arnhem club. On August 1, 2013, Leerdam made his Vitesse debut in their UEFA Europa League qualifier tie against Petrolul Ploiești, in which Leerdam featured for the entire 90 minutes during the 1–1 draw. He played as Vitesse won the final of the KNVB Beker 2–0 against AZ Alkmaar on April 30, 2017 to lead the club, three-time runners up, to the title for the first time in its 125-year history.
Leerdam made his first appearance on international level in the Netherlands U19. The Dutch team missed out on a place at the 2009 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship in Ukraine by the narrowest of margins. The Netherlands U19 finished second in the qualifying elite round behind Slovenia U19, with one goal difference.
Leerdam decided to represent Suriname, the country of his birth, at the senior level. He was called up to the Suriname national team for the first time in November 2019. He made his debut on March 24, 2021 in a World Cup qualifier against the Cayman Islands.
On July 1, 2017, Leerdam joined American side Seattle Sounders FC preceding his release from Vitesse.
On 23 March 2021, Leerdam joined fellow Major League Soccer club Inter Miami.
On 6 January 2022, Leerdamn signed with MLS side LA Galaxy on a two-year deal.
