.jpg) Büttner withDynamo Moscow in 2014. | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Alexander Büttner[1] | ||
| Date of birth | (1989-02-11)11 February 1989 (age 36) | ||
| Place of birth | Doetinchem, Netherlands | ||
| Height | 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)[2] | ||
| Position(s) | Left-back Left midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Vitesse | ||
| Number | 28 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| –2000 | VV Doetinchem[3] | ||
| 2000–2005 | Ajax | ||
| 2005–2008 | Vitesse | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2008–2012 | Vitesse | 107 | (10) |
| 2012–2014 | Manchester United | 13 | (2) |
| 2014–2017 | Dynamo Moscow | 24 | (0) |
| 2016 | →Anderlecht (loan) | 14 | (1) |
| 2017–2019 | Vitesse | 63 | (2) |
| 2017 | Jong Vitesse | 7 | (3) |
| 2020–2021 | New England Revolution | 17 | (0) |
| 2021–2022 | RKC Waalwijk | 26 | (3) |
| 2022–2024 | De Graafschap | 65 | (5) |
| 2024– | Vitesse | 30 | (8) |
| International career | |||
| 2008 | Netherlands U19 | 1 | (0) |
| 2008–2010 | Netherlands U20 | 6 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 16 September 2025 | |||
Alexander Büttner (pronounced[aːlɛkˈsɑndərˈbʏtnər]; born 11 February 1989) is a Dutch professionalfootballer who plays as aleft-back forEerste Divisie clubVitesse.
Born inDoetinchem, Büttner began his career with local club VV Doetinchem, but spent his formative years withAjax before joiningVitesse at the age of 16 in 2005.[4]
After progressing through the ranks at the youth system and reserves, Büttner made his professional debut for Vitesse on 15 March 2008 againstTwente after coming on as a substitute forHaim Megrelashvili in the sixth minute following his poor performance.[5] However, after coming on as a substitute for Megrelashvili, he played until he received a straight red card after a second bookable offence, in a 4–3 loss.[6] This turned out to be his only appearance in the 2007–08 season.
In the 2008–09 season, Büttner then made his first start for the club, where he played the whole game, in a 1–1 draw againstSparta Rotterdam on 20 September 2008.[7] Having established himself in the starting eleven, Büttner then scored his first goal for the club in a 3–1 home win overVolendam on 20 December 2008.[8] Although he appeared on the substitute bench as the season progressed, Büttner regained his first team place and went on to score two goals in two matches between 18 April 2009 and 26 April 2009 againstAZ[9] andUtrecht.[10] At the end of the season, Büttner went on to make twenty-three appearances and scoring three times in all competitions.
In the 2009–10 season, Büttner signed his contract and continued to be involved in the first team, competing withJeroen Drost andGino Felixdaal over the left-back position, although he spent time the first half of the season, coming on as a substitute.[11][12] Büttner soon managed his left-back position in the first team and went on to score two goals later in the season againstGroningen[13] andRoda JC.[14] At the end of the 2009–10 season, Büttner made twenty-nine appearances and scored two times in all competitions.
In the 2010–11 season, Büttner fully established himself as a left back in the first team. His performance soon attracted interests clubs around Europe from Polish clubsLegia Warsaw andLech Poznań, but the transfer move never happened and because of this, he appeared on the substitute bench since the end of January, as well as, his own injury concerns.[15][16] He managed to regain his first team place after the failed transfer move and went on to make twenty-five appearances in all competitions. With his contract expiring at the end of the season, the club opened negotiations with Büttner over a new contract.[17] Eventually, Büttner signed a contract extension, keeping him until 2011.[18]
In the 2011–12 season, Büttner started the season well when he set up two goals, in a 2–1 win over Utrecht on 20 August 2011,[19] followed up by scoring his first goal of the season, in a 4–1 loss againstAjax.[20] Three weeks later, on 17 September 2011, Büttner scored his second goal of the season, in a 5–0 win over Roda JC.[21] Throughout the season, he continued to be in a regular first team, playing either left-back and left-midfielder. Because of this, his performance further attracted interests from clubs, such as, Arizona andTwente.[22] It wasn't until on 12 April 2012 when he scored his third goal of the season, in a 3–1 win overVVV-Venlo.[23] On 28 April 2012, Büttner scored a brace, in a 3–2 win overExcelsior.[24] Although he suffered a toe injury in the next game, Büttner returned to the next game from injury in the last game of the season, in a 3–1 loss against Ajax.[25][26] At the end of the season, Büttner went on to make thirty-nine appearances and scoring five times in all competitions. For his performance, Büttner was voted by the fans as Vitesse player of the year.[27]
On 6 July 2012, Vitesse agreed a fee withSouthampton over the transfer of Büttner to the English club, subject to a medical.[28] The proposed move to Southampton was subsequently halted "due to an unspecified 'demand' from an unnamed third party"; this was believed to be a claim for a percentage of the transfer fee.[29]
On 21 August 2012, Büttner signed a five-year contract withManchester United,[30] where he was given the number 28 shirt.[31]
Büttner made his league debut on 15 September, setting up the second goal and scoring the third, in a 4–0 home win againstWigan Athletic.[32] His performance gained him theman of the match award.[33] On 23 October, he made his UEFA club competition debut in a 3–2 home victory overBraga in thegroup stage of the2012–13 UEFA Champions League.[34] On 5 January, Büttner made hisFA Cup debut in a 2–2 draw againstWest Ham United.[35] United went on to win thePremier League and Büttner received a winner's medal by a special dispensation given by the manager.[36] He scored his second goal for Manchester United on the final day of the season in a dramatic 5–5 draw againstWest Bromwich Albion. After collecting a pass fromTom Cleverley in the inside left channel, he drove into the penalty area and fired a low shot into the far corner.[37] Büttner said he credited his girlfriend and brother with helping him overcome homesickness.[38]
In the 2013–14 season, Büttner struggled to regain his first-team place in his second season at the club, asFrance internationalPatrice Evra was preferred at left-back under the management ofDavid Moyes.[39] In the summer transfer window, he was expected to leave the club on loan toBeşiktaş, but Moyes blocked the move from happening.[40] Büttner then made his first appearance of the season on 25 September 2013, playing at left-back in a 1–0 win overLiverpool in the second round of League Cup.[41] It wasn't until late-March when Büttner had a handful of first team appearances following Evra's injury.[42] Büttner's performance even earned praises from Evra.[43] By the end of the 2013–14 season, Büttner had made 15 appearances for the club in all competitions.
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On 24 June 2014, citing a lack of playing time and a personal rift between himself and United coachLouis van Gaal, Büttner announced that he was leaving Manchester United forDynamo Moscow, on a three-year deal for £4.4 million potentially rising to £5.6 million.[44][45][46]
Büttner made his Dynamo Moscow debut, where he made his first start for the club, in a 1–1 draw againstHapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona in the first leg of the third round of the UEFA Europa League and went through to next round after winning 2–1 on aggregate in the second leg.[47][48] Days later, he made his league debut for the club, in the opening game of the season, in a 7–3 win overRostov.[49] Weeks later on 21 August 2014, he scored his first goal for Dynamo Moscow in a 2–2 draw against Cypriot clubOmonia in the Europa League.[50] Büttner, however, was sent-off in the UEFA Europa League match against Anderlecht after receiving a second bookable offence, in a 0–0 draw.[51] Later in the season, he received a red card again for a second time this season on 24 May 2015, in a 2–2 draw againstArsenal Tula.[52] In his first season at the club, Büttner made thirty-one (19 in the league) and scoring once in all competitions.
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In his second season at Dynamo Moscow, however, Büttner suffered an injury at the start of the season.[53] He then made his return to the first team from injury, in a 1–1 draw againstLokomotiv Moscow.[54] However, this turns out to be his only appearance, as he suffered injuries by the first half of the season.[55][56][57]
Following his loan spell at Anderlecht came to an end, Büttner expressed desire to leave the club in the summer transfer window, with clubs around Europe keen on signing him, but stayed at the club throughout the summer.[58][59] Despite this, he returned to the first team and was given a number twenty-four shirt.[60] Büttner made his first appearance for the club in a year on 12 October 2016, where he played the whole game, in a 0–0 draw againstKhimki.[61] In December 2016, with four appearances this season, Büttner was released by the club, in the wake of the club's financial difficulties.[62] After leaving the club, Büttner reflected his time at the club, stating that he enjoyed his first season at the club, but became disillusioned in his latter career there, citing the departure of the club's president,Boris Romanovich Rotenberg, and players subsequently left the club as a result.[63]
On 1 February 2016, he agreed to join Belgian sideAnderlecht on loan until the end of 2015/16 season.[64] It came after when his agent hinted his departure from Dynamo Moscow in the January transfer window.[65]
On 5 February 2016, Büttner made his Anderlecht debut in a 2–2 draw withKV Mechelen, featuring for the entire 90 minutes.[66] A week later, Büttner went onto score his first goal for Anderlecht, netting the second in the Belgian side's 3–0 victory overZulte Waregem.[67] In a match againstKortrijk on 13 March 2016, Büttner set up two goals, in a 3–0 win.[68] Later in the 2015–16 season, Büttner became a first team regular at the club, but was unsuccessful to win the league, as they finished second place. At the end of the 2015–16 season, making 16 appearances and scoring once in all competitions, Büttner returned to his parent club after Anderlecht decided against signing him on a permanent basis.[69]
On 16 January 2017, Büttner returned toVitesse, signing a 2.5-year contract with the club.[70] Upon re-joining the club, he was a replacement forKosuke Ota, who returned toFC Tokyo.[71]
Büttner made his second Vitesse debut on 19 February 2017, where he came on as a second-half substitute, in a 1–0 loss against Ajax.[72]
He left Vitesse in July 2019 upon the expiration of his contract.
On 1 November 2019, Büttner joinedMajor League Soccer sideNew England Revolution for the 2020 season.[73] On 20 January 2021, New England and Büttner mutually agreed to terminate his contract.[74]
In July 2021, Büttner joinedEredivisie sideRKC Waalwijk for the 2021–22 season.[75]
On 28 April 2022,De Graafschap signed Büttner to a three-year deal.[76]
On 7 August 2024, Büttner returned toVitesse once more, with a two-year contract.[77]
Büttner has represented the Netherlands at under-20 andunder-21 levels.[78]
On 7 May 2012, Büttner was named in the provisional list of 36 players for theUEFA Euro 2012 tournament, one of nine uncapped players to be chosen byNetherlands managerBert van Marwijk as part of the preliminary squad.[79] However, Büttner was among seven players to be cut from the squad after van Marwijk reduced his squad to 27 players on 15 May 2012.[80] Two years after being cut from the squad, Büttner expressed hope he would be called up by the national team one day, but this never happened.[81]
Born inDoetinchem, Netherlands, Büttner grew up in a football-loving family. Like Büttner himself, his two brothers and father are also footballers.[4] Growing up, Büttner revealed that his father was very strict on him.[82] He is the cousin of fellow footballerGiovanni Büttner.[83]
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| Club | Season | League | Cup | League Cup | Europe | Other[nb 1] | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Vitesse | 2007–08 | Eredivisie | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | |||
| 2008–09 | Eredivisie | 23 | 3 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 25 | 3 | ||||
| 2009–10 | Eredivisie | 27 | 2 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 29 | 2 | ||||
| 2010–11 | Eredivisie | 24 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 25 | 0 | ||||
| 2011–12 | Eredivisie | 32 | 5 | 4 | 0 | — | — | 3 | 0 | 39 | 5 | |||
| Total | 107 | 10 | 9 | 0 | — | — | 3 | 0 | 119 | 10 | ||||
| Manchester United | 2012–13 | Premier League | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | 13 | 2 | |
| 2013–14 | Premier League | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 0 | |
| Total | 13 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 2 | ||
| Dynamo Moscow | 2014–15 | Russian Premier League | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 12 | 1 | — | 31 | 1 | ||
| 2015–16 | Russian Premier League | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | ||||
| 2016–17 | Russian Premier League | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 5 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 24 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 12 | 1 | — | 37 | 1 | ||||
| Anderlecht (loan) | 2015–16 | Belgian First Division | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | — | 16 | 1 | ||
| Vitesse | 2016–17 | Eredivisie | 10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | ||
| 2017–18 | Eredivisie | 17 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 4 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 27 | 1 | ||
| 2018–19 | Eredivisie | 13 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | 4 | 0 | — | 18 | 1 | |||
| Total | 40 | 1 | 3 | 0 | — | 8 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 56 | 2 | |||
| New England | 2020 | MLS | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 18 | 0 | |||
| Waalwijk | 2021–22 | Eredivisie | 26 | 3 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 27 | 3 | |||
| De Graafschap | 2022–23 | Eerste Divisie | 35 | 4 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 37 | 4 | |||
| 2023–24 | Eerste Divisie | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 2 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 37 | 4 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 39 | 4 | |||||
| Career total | 198 | 21 | 21 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 28 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 341 | 23 | ||
Manchester United
Vitesse
Individual
