Tough and skilful midfielder, a specialist at winning back the ball and a safe bet in the centre of the park, he arrived in the winter transfer window under Rijkaard, and was a real change-bringer, tightening up the midfield and bringing about a tactical reshuffle of the team. On the pitch he was always spottable because of his iconic glasses, but despite his major contribution he departed the club at the end of the 2003-04 season, his only one at the club.

Full biography:

The Rijkaard era began in September 2003 and was not an easy time. The team struggled although the Dutch manager opted for a lively, attacking brand of football. There was something missing, and that something turned out to be Edgar Davids. He arrived midway through the season, in the winter transfer window, from Juventus, the runners-up of the previous European season. He played a key role in midfield as the team started to roll and stormed its way up the Liga table, narrowly missing out on the title to Valencia but with the sensation that if they had been given an extra few weeks, Barça would have ended up making up the five-point difference. The player and the club were keen to stick together and play on for longer, but no agreement could be reached and Davids ended up signing for Inter Milan. After playing for Tottenham, he went back to Ajax, then Crystal Palace retired at Barnet FC of England in 2013.

European champion with Ajax in 1995

74 international caps for Holland