Willem van der Ark (; born 13 November 1963 in Groningen) is a Dutch retired football striker, who played for Aberdeen in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
He was one of a series of Dutch players signed for the Scottish side during this timeSchotse clubs in de rij voor Nederlanders - NRC and Van der Ark was bought as a striker and noted for his height (6 foot, 5 inches).
Club career Van der Ark came through the GVAV Rapiditas youth system and joined Cambuur in 1984. He proved to be an immedatie success alongside fellow striker Bram Rontberg and was sold to Willem II for 250,000 guilders in 1988.Cambuur 50 jaar: Willem van der Ark (Bio) - Leeuwarder Courant He then moved abroad to Scottish side Aberdeen after only half a season in Tilburg.
During his time at Aberdeen he made 77 appearances (38 of them as substitute), scoring 17 goals and securing 2 winners medals – the 1989/90 Skol Cup and 1989/90 Scottish Cup. He played alongside compatriots Theo Snelders, Hans Gillhaus and Peter van de Ven at the club.Aberdeen, rijk en Hollands verleden - NOS
He later played for FC Utrecht and FC Den Haag. He left Utrecht to return to Cambuur in summer 1994.FC Utrecht koopt Peter Hofstede en verkoopt Van der Ark - Trouw
Retirement Van der Ark now works as a real estate agent in Leeuwarden.Medwerkers - Makelaardij Hoekstra
Career statistics
ClubSeasonsLeagueScottish CupLeague CupEuropeTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAberdeen1988-89Scottish Premier Division82100000921989-9027733312035111990-911140000001141991-92180002020220Total64134351407717
References
External links Profile Dutch league stats - VI Willem van der Ark at Ererat