Marvin Emnes

Marvin Renato Emnes (born 27 May 1988) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a striker or winger.

Born in Rotterdam, Emnes was a sprinter as a youth.

Emnes played football for amateur side Xerxes before he joined the Sparta youth academy in 1997.

In October 2004, Emnes signed his first professional contract with the club.

Emnes made his debut for Sparta Rotterdam in the 2005–06 season, which came on 11 December 2005, coming on as a late substitute, in a 3–2 loss against RKC Waalwijk.

Amid to the first team, he helped Jong Sparta Rotterdam win the reserve first division B after beating Jong FC Dordrecht.

At the end of the 2005–06 season, he made ten appearances and scoring once in all competitions.

Emnes scored his first goal for the club, in a 5–0 win against RBC Roosendaal on 8 April 2006.

At the start of the 2006–07 season, Emnes soon received more playing time at Sparta Rotterdam, mostly coming from the substitute bench.

However, during a match against Willem II on 29 October 2006, he suffered ankle injury that kept him out for two months.

It was not until on 15 December 2006, Emnes returned to the starting line–up, starting a match and played 45 minutes before being substituted at half time, in a 3–0 loss against NAC Breda.

Following his return from injury, he spent the rest of the season in and out of the first team, as well as, playing for Jong Sparta Rotterdam.

At the end of the 2006–07 season, Emnes made sixteen appearances in all competitions.

At the start of the 2007–08 season, Emnes’ playing time continued mostly coming from the substitute bench, but soon started in a number of matches.

It was not until on 15 February 2008 when Emnes scored his first goal of the season, in a 6–2 loss against AFC Ajax.

This was followed up by scoring against FC Utrecht.

Emnes then scored twice in two consecutive matches against Roda JC and NEC Nijmegen, which was then followed up by scoring against Feyenoord.

His goal against Feynoord would later earn him a cult status among Sparta Rotterdam's supporters.

He later scored his eighth goal of the season against SC Heerenveen on 13 April 2008, resulting 4–2 win against Sparta Rotterdam and helping the side avoid relegation.

For his performance as a result of scoring eight goals in twenty–nine appearances in all competitions, Emnes was declared Sparta Fans' Player of the Year.

Following this, Emnes was linked a move away from Sparta Rotterdam, with top Netherlands clubs, such as, Feyenoord, AFC Ajax and SC Heerenveen were interested in signing him.

It came after when he intended not to renew his contract with the club.

On 4 July 2008, Emnes signed a four-year contract with then-Premier League team Middlesbrough for a transfer fee of €4 million (£3.2 million).

Upon joining the club, Manager Gareth Southgate said: "He can play anywhere along the front line, so he has versatility to go with pace, energy and technical skills."

His début came in the League Cup against Yeovil Town on 27 August, getting on the score sheet in the process.

It was not until on 25 October 2008 when Emnes made his league debut for the club, coming on as a late substitute, in a 1–1 draw against Blackburn Rovers.

However, his first team opportunities at the club became limited, due to strong competitions in the forward position and as a result, Emnes had his playing time restricted, mostly coming on from the substitute bench.

On 24 January 2009, he scored the winning goal for Middlesbrough in the 83rd minute against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the FA Cup, with the score finishing 2–1.

He made his first Premier League start on 11 May as part of a 3–1 away defeat to Newcastle United.

His next start with Middlesbrough was against Aston Villa, in which he produced a man of the match performance.

He was also given the "Player of the Weekend" award after two successful starts.

The last game of the season against West Ham United, however, saw them lose 2–1, resulting in their relegation to the Championship in eleven years.

Ahead of the 2009–10 season, Emnes was expected to earn a starting place in the first team by both the club's manager Gareth Southgate and assistant manager Steve Agnew.

He made his first appearance of the season, starting a match before being substituted after playing 65 minutes, in a 0–0 draw against Sheffield United in the opening game of the season.

He scored his first league goal for Middlesbrough in a match against Swansea City on 15 August 2009.

Since the start of the 2009–10 season, Emnes became a first team regular, forming a striking partnership with Leroy Lita.

He played a role when he set up two goals in a 3–1 win against Ipswich Town on 12 September 2009, followed up by setting up another goal, in a 3–1 win against Sheffield Wednesday.

However, Emnes soon found himself placed on the substitute bench once again and his playing time restricted, mostly coming on from the substitute bench, as well as, his own injury concern.

Following the end of the 2009–10 season, Emnes went on trial with German club Fortuna Düsseldorf.

Emnes did not sign for Düsseldorf, but he instead mainly sat on the bench throughout Gordon Strachan's reign in charge.