Vangelis Pavlidis has surprised former Dutch international footballers Rafael van der Vaart and Wim Kieft with his sharp development into a top-tier striker. The Benfica forward previously played for Willem II and AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands before completing a transfer to Portugal.
Early Doubts From Former Dutch Internationals
Rafael van der Vaart admitted he initially did not value Pavlidis during the player’s time in the Eredivisie. Speaking on the NOS channel prior to a Nations League fixture between Greece and the Netherlands that ended in a 2-2 draw, Van der Vaart credited former teammate Pierre van Hooijdonk for correctly spotting the forward’s potential.
“I didn’t value him at all. But Pierre [van Hooijdonk] kept telling me he was very good,” Van der Vaart said on NOS. “And Pierre was unbelievably right. He just kept taking one step at a time. And now he’s done it again.”
Scoring Record Since Arriving at Benfica
Pavlidis departed the Dutch league two years ago as its top goalscorer and joined Benfica for a reported fee of €18 million. Since moving to Portugal, the Greek international has scored 74 goals and recorded 20 assists in 123 official matches.
His timeline in the Netherlands spanned from 2019 to 2024, beginning with Willem II before a subsequent move to AZ Alkmaar.
Details on Pavlidis transfer fee and scoring record
How much did Benfica pay to sign Vangelis Pavlidis?
Benfica acquired the Greek international for a reported fee of €18 million following his standout season as the top scorer in the Dutch league.
How many goals has Pavlidis scored for Benfica?
The forward has scored 74 goals and recorded 20 assists across 123 official matches for the Portuguese club.
Which Dutch clubs did Pavlidis represent before moving to Portugal?
Pavlidis played in the Netherlands from 2019 to 2024, featuring first for Willem II and later for AZ Alkmaar.
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