Who Is Donyell Malen: Biography, Family, Personal Life, Net Worth and Football Career

Rosemary June 20, 2021 | 16:28

Donyell Malen has risen as a new start of the Netherlands' national football team. Read on to know his biography, football career, net worth and personal life.

Photo Newsy

Donyell Malen’s Biography

Donyell Malen (born 19 January 1999) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a forward for PSV Eindhoven. Malen has also featured for clubs Ajax and Arsenal. He has represented the Netherlands at international level, playing at youth levels between U15 and U19.

Born in Wieringen, Hollands Kroon, Malen began his career with Ajax in 2007. Despite a great deal of resistance coming from Ajax, in 2015 he left the Amsterdam Arena to journey to England. In the process, he declined offers from clubs Manchester United and Chelsea, instead choosing to play for Arsenal. Malen joined up due to Arsenal being the side of his heroes Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp.

Malen began playing for the youth teams of Arsenal in the Youth Premier League together with the FA Youth Cup, and the UEFA Youth League in the 2015–16 season. He began to display his impressive talent during this, his debut season for the Gunners. Salary 2021

Donyell Malen’s Personal Life

Donyell Malen’s Girlfriend - Liesje Chanayla

Photo WTFoot

The couple look pretty in spite of the red-eye. They've been dating for a while now. She is of Surinamese origin, just like our footballer.

We're not sure if Liesje is her real name. It has a funny meaning in Dutch. The couple happen to celebrate PSV's Eredivisie triumph in 2018.

Donyell Malen’s Father

Dad Robert is of Surinamese origin. We know where our winger gets his athleticism from. Dad looks fit for his age.

Donyell Malen’s Mother - Mariska

Mum Mariska is Dutch. She played a very important role in his development as a footballer. She has been a pillar of strength for this boy. He's lucky to have a mum like her.

Donyell Malen’s Grandmother - Marian

He's also really fond of his grandmother Marian. She gets nostalgic as she shares a few bits about his childhood.

Malen Tattoo - Does he have one?

He's all covered up in Eindhoven and doesn't reveal much about the art on his body.

But we discovered that he, in fact, has a tattoo on his shoulder. This was on holiday in Bali with his love.

Donyell Malen's Net Worth

Net Worth: 300,000 Euro (253,000 Pound)In August 2019 the forward signed a contract with PSV Eindhoven that nets him a whopping salary of 1.2 Million Euro (1 Million Pound) per year. We have crunched the numbers, this means he earns €3,288 (£2,740) per day and €137 (£114) per hour!

Market Value: 18 Million Euro (15.2 Million Pound)

He's got a good agent in Mino Raiola and should see his net worth rise from its present value of 300,000 Euros soon. The current market value of our striker is about 18 million Euros.

What does he drive?

Mercedes Benz

Photo WTFoot

The choices that he made in his personal life so far have all been classy, be it personally or professionally. It includes his choice of transport as well. He drives a Merc.

This wide shot gives us a better view of his car. He arrived for training with his national team in it. Can you tell the model of this Merc?

Where does he live?

Location: Westerland, the Netherlands

The house in the middle is where he grew up as a child. His mum would drive him to training and back from right here. It's inspirational in a way to look back at his humble beginnings.

Donyell Malen's Football Career

Timeline

2019

On 14 September 2019, Malen scored all 5 goals for PSV as they thrashed Vitesse.

Malen made his senior international debut for the Netherlands on 6 September 2019, in a UEFA Euro 2020 qualifier against Germany in Hamburg. He came off the bench in the 58th minute mark and scored his team's third goal in the match to untie a 2–2 score, as the Dutch went on to win 4–2.

2018

Malen was bestowed with the Bronze Bull for being the Best Talent for the second period of the 2017–18 Jupiler League upon 29 January 2018. He went to make his debut for PSV in a 4–0 Eredivisie win over PEC Zwolle on 3 February 2018. Malen went on to win the 2018 Eredivisie title with PSV. He also ended the 2017–18 season as Jong PSV's topscorer.

2017

During the 2016–17 season, Malen was used a great deal on the wing. He scored against Brighton and Hove in a 3–0 victory, and found an assist for the Gunners U18s in their 1–1 draw away against West Ham United. He also got another assist which came in a 1–0 win against Norwich City and ticked off another goal in a 1–1 draw vs Aston Villa. He again offered an assist in a 1–1 draw against FC Basel in the UEFA Youth League. Malen also got upon the scoreboard and assisted in a 3–0 defeat of Leicester City as well as netting in a 3–1 victory vs that of and Southampton F.C. in January 2017. He also scored, delivered an assist and fostered a penalty, in a 4–1 win against Chelsea in February 2017 for Arsenal's U23s. In March 2017 Malen delivered an assist in a 2–0 win for Arsenal's U23s over rivals Tottenham in the North London Derby. Also in that month, Malen scored for the U23s vs Man City in a 3–3 draw at home. In April 2017 he scored again against Sunderland in an away game that finished 2–1 to the hosts. Malen then netted a brace in a 5–1 rout of Blackburn Rovers U18s on 29 April 2017 away at Blackburn. He again scored against West Ham United in a 3–3 draw within May 2017, of which helped propel Arsenal's U18s to runners up of the U18 Premier League of 2016–17.

Malen was called up on 9 July 2017, as part of Arsenal's squad for the club's pre-season tour of Australia and China. He made his senior debut for Arsenal in the Gunners 2–0 win over Sydney FC on 13 July 2017. He also played against Chelsea for the Gunners in a 3–0 loss in Shanghai. All in all Malen was capped 67 times, scoring 27 goals altogether for Arsenal.

Malen was sold by Arsenal to PSV Eindhoven in late August 2017. This surprising deal was to the dismay of several Arsenal fans, who held great hopes for the Dutchman.

Photo Liverpool

Malen went on to play as a winger for Jong PSV. With PSV II he delivered an assist in an Eerste Divisie game upon 20 October 2017 against RKC Waalwijk which finished 3–2. On 24 November 2017 Malen scored a brace in Jong PSV's 6–0 thumping of Telstar. He again netted in PSV II's 3–0 win over FC Oss on 27 November 2017. Malen scored and picked up an assist in PSV II's 2–3 loss to Fortuna upon 4 December 2017. He again scored in a 1–1 draw away to Go Ahead Eagles upon 12 December 2017. Malen went on to be named in Voetbal International's Jupiler League team of the week a day later.

In a Four Nations tournament involving The Netherlands, Belgium, Portugal and Finland, The Netherlands lost the first game to the Belgians. On 1 September 2017, in the second match, Malen scored for the Oranje U19s in the 90th minute, so as to assure a 2–2 draw with Portugal. He then went on to score a brace in a 9–0 rout of Finland. During an U19 Euro qualifier on 7 October 2017, Malen netted for Holland's U19s to cap off a 2–0 victory at home over Hungary. Malen two days later scored within extra time to secure a 2–2 draw to Slovenia which saw Holland finishing atop of their group and thus sealed their spot for the 2018 U19 Euros. With the score locked at 1–1 in a friendly against Italy's Under19s, Malen hit a free kick to score the winning goal for the Dutch on 9 November 2017. Malen then scored a brace for Holland in a friendly away to Serbia's Under 19s.

2016

Malen found himself on the scoresheet in the FA Youth Cup quarterfinal away to Coventry City which Arsenal won on penalties. Coming off the bench, he scored against Manchester City in the semi-final of the 2016 FA Youth Cup at the Emirates Stadium.

On 6 February 2016, it was reported that Malen signed his first professional contract with Arsenal.

At the 2016 Under 17 Euros held in Azerbaijan, Malen played throughout the tournament where the Oranje got to the semi finals. He went on to feature for the Netherlands under-18 team. He also was called up, in December 2016, for the Dutch squad for the 2017 UEFA European Under-19 Championship In March 2017 Malen scored in the 86th minute of a U18 game against Austria to equalise for the Dutch in an eventual 1–1 draw.

2015

Malen was altogether capped 30 times during the 2015–16 season for Arsenal's youth wherein he found himself on the scoresheet in a total of 14 occasions.

2013

He provided an assist in Arsenal's 2–0 win over Bayern Munich in their October 2015 Youth Champions League match. He also scored with chips in matches against Brighton and Hove and West Bromwich Albion in the 2015–16 Youth Premier League. Malen also scored during that season against clubs such as Aston Villa, Sunderland, Blackburn Rovers and Southampton for Arsenal.

2007

1999

Donyell Malen (born 19 January 1999) is a Dutch professional footballer of Surinamese descent who plays as a forward for PSV Eindhoven and the Netherlands national team. Malen has also featured at youth level for Ajax and Arsenal.

Interesting Things to Know About Donyell Malen’s Career

He represents the future classic story of modern football: boy can play football well. Boy goes to Ajax. Even before the boy signs a professional contract at the age of 16, he answers the call of a top club from abroad. Yes, he's one of those youngsters that decided to quit Ajax's academy to get schooled at Arsenal's in England. He has since returned to the Netherlands and now plays for PSV as a striker, after having played for their reserve side for a year. Nicknamed Peasant, due to his rural background, our striker is an able finisher. Other notable aspects of his game are his speed. He's a pacy forward and can dribble the ball at high speed as well. He's very agile, and his strength combined with his stamina make him a serious threat in front of goal. He won the Eredivisie in the 2017-18 season with PSV, a striking achievement for a youngster who had just made it back to Holland. He's plays for the senior Dutch squad internationally and has played for them in every single youth team possible, but the Under-20 level.

In what is becoming a growing trend in north London, the promising striker was let go from the Emirates to surprise from fans, who had high expectations of Malen as he moved his way up through the youth ranks. Just as with Ismael Bennacer, Jeff Reine-Adelaide and Serge Gnabry before him, the Gunners will likely be left to rue that mistake given Malen's current form.

Signing for Arsenal in 2015, the striker featured heavily for the Gunners' youth sides before signing professionally with the club in early 2016. After success with the Under-18's and Under-23's, Malen was called up to the senior squad and made his debut in the club's 2017 pre-season tour, featuring against Sydney FC and Chelsea, before being sold ahead of the new season.

He Turned Down Manchester United & Chelsea

Prior to signing for Arsenal in 2015, Malen had plenty of suitors to choose from after earning rave reviews throughout his time with the Ajax youth academy. Having been with the club since 2007, the the youngster continued to develop his game until the point where European sides were on red-alert.

Despite strong resistance from the Amsterdam-based side, they eventually allowed him to leave, where United, Chelsea and Arsenal were all waiting in the wings to snap the striker up.

He eventually chose north London, partly due to the fact his idols growing up were Gunners legends Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry, much to the delight of manager at the time Arsene Wenger.

He Knows How to Make an Impact

Earning a call-up to your national team is a moment of real pride for footballers around the world, with the chance to represent your country often times considered the pinnacle of playing the sport.

However, sometimes that pressure can be too much and many times players will crack under the weight of expectation and deliver a sub-par performance. Not Malen.

Getting the nod in the senior squad, Malen earned his first appearance for the Dutch national team in the recent 2020 European qualifiers.

In the daunting atmosphere of Hamburg's Volksparkstadion, Malen came off the bench for the Dutch in their crucial clash with Germany in the 58th minute, before scoring his side's third goal just 20 minutes later to put the visitors 3-2 in front. A late Georginio Wijnaldum goal settled the points, but it was Malen's contribution that proved to be the clincher in the vital clash.

He's Firing on All Competitions Already This Season

While he's smashed his way to the top of the scoring charts in the Netherlands, he's already been playing his part for the club in European competitions.

Needing to get through qualifying for the Europa League, PSV overcame Haugesund to set up a tricky clash with Apollon Limassol, with victory other two legs placing them in the competition's group stage draw.

Malen made light work of the Cypriot outfit, scoring twice in the away leg as PSV ran out 7-0 winners on aggregate, meaning the Dutchman will now have the chance to test himself against some of Europe's finest in the league, with the national team, and now in Europe.

Mino Raiola Is His Agent

One of the most well-known names in football, without even playing the sport, Malen's agent is none other than the notorious Mino Raiola.

Representing the likes of Paul Pogba, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Mario Balotelli and Matthijs de Ligt, the super-agent has grown a reputation for being brash and opting for a confrontational style, something that has seen him in end up in conflict with a succession of famous names.

Nevertheless, Malen praised the work of his agent to Dutch publication AD for securing him the move to PSV, insisting it is the perfect club for him at this present time.

Liverpool are among clubs keeping an eye on PSV Eindhoven’s Donyell Malen, who is also courted by Borussia Dortmund.

According to Sky Sports’ Max Bielefeld, Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp is set to rival his former club Borussia Dortmund in the pursuit of Donyell Malen. The PSV Eindhoven attacker has been apparently identified as the desired target amid the uncertain future of Mohamed Salah this summer.

Liverpool are hoping to hold talks with PSV regarding a potential move for Malen, who has emerged as Dortmund’s ideal candidate to replace Jadon Sancho. The Englishman is highly expected to join Manchester United in the summer after reportedly agreeing personal terms with the club.

Sancho, interestingly, was one of Liverpool’s main targets. But with the former Manchester City prodigy likely to join Old Trafford, it appears Malen has emerged as the desired replacement option for Salah.

The Egyptian international is facing an uncertain future at the club after a disappointing campaign at Anfield. Paris Saint-Germain are among many clubs that have previously expressed their desire to sign the former Chelsea forward, whose departure could open up a massive void in Liverpool’s creative department.

Sancho will pose a major threat to Denmark (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Sancho has a key part to play in Liverpool and Dortmund’s pursuit of Malen. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Klopp hopes that Malen will fill that void, having enjoyed a lot of success at PSV. Since making his Eredivisie breakthrough in the 2018/19 campaign, the forward has notched up 115 competitive appearances for the club, scoring 55 goals. He netted 19 times this past season, although it wasn’t enough to help PSV challenge Ajax for the title.

Malen, nevertheless, is regarded as a top talent, which is why he is also being courted by Borussia Dortmund. With Sancho potentially set for a new adventure in the Premier League, the Black and Yellows will require reinforcements in the wide attacking department – someone who can support Erling Haaland in the final third.

The Dutchman is an excellent option as he is a clever, modern forward who likes to drift out wide. He has the scoring prowess to complement his game as well, which should particularly appeal to a Liverpool side that is hoping to find an upgrade over Roberto Firmino, in addition to replacing Salah in the long run.

Malen fits the ball for both the criteria, although it remains to be seen how much the player could exactly cost. Neither of these two clubs are in a position to spend the big bucks in the market, so a lot will depend on PSV’s valuation, which could further increase should the attacker makes a breakthrough with the Netherlands national team in the ongoing Euro 2020.

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