Vermaelen started his career in Juan Thornhill Jersey his home country at Germinal Ekeren, which later changed its name to Germinal Beerschot after a merge.In 2000 he joined the academy of Dutch club Ajax. He made his profe sional debut on 15 February 2004 in a 20 away win over VolendamHis breakthrough came when he returned to Ajax and won the KNVB Cup. Performances that season resulted in a call-up to the Belgium national football teamHe forged a partnership with fellow academy graduate John Heitinga and later Jan Vertonghen when Heitinga left for Spain. Emmanuel Ogbah Jersey Following the departure of Klaas-Jan Huntelaar in mid-season, Vermaelen served as captain of Ajax for the remainder of the 200809 season.Vermaelen joined Arsenal from Ajax for an initial fee of 10 Kansas City Chiefs Jersey million, rising to 12 million on 19 June 2009. 3 4 as first choice partner to William Gallas in central defence, with Kolo Tour later joining Manchester CityOn 15 August against Everton, Vermaelen scored on his Premier League debut, heading an inswinging Robin Van Persie free-kick past Tim Howard in the 37th minuteOn 4 October 2009, he scored again, during a 62 win over Blackburn Rovers at the Emirates, his fifth of the season. 9 10 Fans on arsenal.com voted him as their player of the month twice in a row. In recognition for his contributions, he was named as a nominee for the Belgian Sportsman of the year awardHe was also able to Jordan Lucas Jersey score his eighth goal of the season in Arsenals crucial 31 victory against Stoke on 27th February 2010.A former youth international, Vermaelen had participated in the U-19 Championships and the 2007 U-21 European Championships. He Breeland Speaks Jersey made his senior debut for Belgium at age 20 against Luxembourg in March 2006. On 8 October 2009, he was named Belgium captain