Sydney van Hooijdonk

Bologna On 3 July 2021, he joined Serie A club Bologna on a free transfer, contracted until the end of the 2024-25 season, and making his debut on 16 August 2021 in a 5-4 Coppa Italia First Round defeat against Ternana Calcio, being substituted on in the 85th minute, replacing Austrian forward Marko Arnautović. In the 2021–22 Serie A season Van Hooijdonk played only four games for his club, each from the bench, without goals or assists. making his debut on 13 February 2022 in a 1-0 defeat against NEC Nijmegen. Despite initial reservations about returning to the Netherlands, in the 2021–22 Eredivisie season Van Hooijdonk scored six goals in thirteen appearances,

On 21 June 2022, it was reported that Bologna were considering adding players (including Van Hooijdonk) to a potential deal for Groningen's Norwegian forward, Jørgen Strand Larsen. He was quick to distance himself from the rumoured deal, likely due to the club being rivals with Heerenveen. On 30 June 2022, his loan contract with Heerenveen expired, and he returned to Bologna. On 25 July 2022, Van Hooijdonk returned to Heerenveen on loan until the end of the 2022-23 Eredivisie season. The 2022–23 Eredivisie season was another respectable showing for Van Hooijdonk; he netted sixteen goals and one assist in thirty-five appearances. making his debut as a late substitute on 3 February 2024 in a 2-1 win against Coventry City. During his spell at Norwich, Van Hooijdonk made 12 appearances, all as a substitute, without scoring.

Cesena On 9 August 2024, van Hooijdonk joined Cesena.

Return to NAC Breda On 9 January 2025, van Hooijdonk returned to NAC on a one-and-a-half-year contract.

Estrela da Amadora On 29 January 2026, van Hooijdonk moved to Portugal, joining Primeira Liga club Estrela da Amadora on a contract until 2028.

International career

Youth Van Hooijdonk was called up for the Netherlands national under-21s by then-manager Erwin van de Looi to play friendlies against the Norway national under-21s and Czech Republic national under-21s in March 2023, making his youth debut for the Netherlands on 25 March 2023, in a 3-0 win against the Norway national under-21s.

Style of play Analysis Generally regarded as a poacher and a target man, Van Hooijdonk touches the ball mostly in the attacking third (especially within the penalty box), and generally looks to time runs exploiting pockets of space.

Personal life Van Hooijdonk is the son of former Dutch international footballer Pierre van Hooijdonk, who also played for NAC Breda. He is of Moroccan descent through his biological paternal grandfather.

Career statistics Club

Eredivisie Team of the Month: April 2022,