Born to a Surinamese-American father and a Dutch mother in Almere, Sergiño Dest grew up with a passion for football that was nurtured by the support of his family. Many years ago, he was just a boy from Almere Stad who dreamed of playing for Ajax. His father, who worked for the U.S. Department of State, ensured that Sergiño had access to all the football equipment he needed, allowing his talent to flourish from a young age. Dest initially showcased his skills as a forward, scoring goals with ease, but his true calling came later when he transitioned into a full-back
Joining the prestigious Ajax Youth Academy, Sergiño had ample time to refine his game, progressing steadily through the ranks. His natural abilities—speed, acceleration, defensive dribbling, and balance—made him a standout player, catching the attention of top clubs. This biography uncovers the lesser-known chapters of this Scorpio-born footballer, from his childhood dreams to his rise as a dynamic full-back, as well as the challenges he faced along the way.
Sergino Dest Childhood Story:
For starters, Sergino Gianni Dest was born on the 3rd day of November 2000 to a Surinamese-American father and Dutch mother in Almere, Netherlands.
According to research, he is the only child born of the union between his parents.
Back in the day, little Sergino had always been interested in playing football. Growing up with his peers on the streets of Almere, the young lad spent lots of his spare time playing street soccer.
Like his fellow countryman Matthijs de Ligt, young Sergino (pictured below) was a die-hard Ajax fan in his earliest days.
Family Background:
In the earliest days of Sergino Dest, he was graced with all the toys he needed for his daily life. Thankfully, Sergino’s parents had outstanding jobs. With his father working with America’s states service, Sergino had most of his desires for football gadgets fulfilled.
Being born into a multiracial family means that the wing-back would have to choose a side to advance his career on a national level. Guess what? He ended up playing for his fatherland (the United States). Now let’s tell you more about Sergino Dest’s parents and family members.
About Sergino Dest’s Father:
Judging by his early career life, there is a likelihood that the young defender did not spend enough time with his dad.
However, it is all thanks to his father’s heritage that he could join the US national team to advance his career. Less I forget, Sergino Dest’s dad is an American citizen who works as a Serviceman for the states.
“Each time I got to the last round of Netherlands youth team selection and didn’t make it.
I was like… But my father reminded me of having an American passport.”
About Sergino Dest’s Mother:
There is no denying the fact that Dest’s mom has played an integral role in the success of the promising player. Truth be told, she always encouraged her son when he began his life-changing career in football.
Do you still recall those moments when you feel you’ve hit rock bottom?… Of course, everybody usually faces such circumstances once in a while.
In such scenarios, Sergino Dest’s mom always becomes his consolation and the foundation that strengthens his resolve to bounce back to his feet.
About Sergino Dest Siblings:
Am sure the prolific defender might have felt more blessed if he had a brother or a sister. Notwithstanding, he has established an intrinsic bond with his teammates and childhood friends that could be considered as another bond of brotherhood.
About Sergino Dest Relatives:
Unfortunately, Dest has not considered sharing any information about his grandfather and grandmother with the public.
In the same way, he has kept details about his uncles, aunts and other relatives a secret.
Family Origin:
A look into Sergino Dest’s ancestry shows that the prolific defender has a multiracial ethnicity. Truth be told, Sergino Dest Family Origin comprises Surinamese (similar to Tyrell Malacia) and Dutch Family Roots.
More so, he holds dual citizenship because his parents are of two distinct races. However, he has only represented the US in major football tournaments.
Notwithstanding, the Netherlands has also made exciting offers to bring him into their national team because of his Dutch heritage.
Sergino Dest Football Story (From the Early Days):
As we mentioned earlier, young Sergino had always fixed his mind on playing professional football as his life career. Interestingly, he ventured into the game of soccer at the tender age of 9.
In an attempt to help Sergino delve into the path of his dream, his parents enrolled him at Almere City Academy in 2009.
Back then, the right-footed player trained hard for three years before joining Ajax Youth Academy in 2012.
Sergino Dest Early Career Life:
Joining Ajax Youth Academy gave the novice player enough time to improve his skills and amass a proper understanding of football rules. Do you know?… Sergino Dest started up his career as a full-time striker.
However, he soon realized that he would be better at playing from the rare rather than the frontline. Hence, he switched to fullback and continued developing his football prowess.
Little by little, Sergino recorded an excellent improvement in his gameplay and helped his academy win many unmentioned trophies, as shown below.
Road to Fame Story:
It took Dest six years of training and commitment before he finally got the privilege to play professional club football.
As a matter of fact, Sergino Dest made his professional debut for Jong Ajax (Ajax reserved team) on the 15th day of October 2018.
Interestingly, the American-Dutch player made five appearances for the US U-17 team before playing for his club.
After showcasing his remarkable football skills during the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup, the right-footed defender earned a promotion to Ajax’s senior team.
Thus, he made his debut for Ajax’s senior team in July 2019.
Also to note, Sergino Dest, alongside Ricardo Pepi (CF), Christian Pulisic (RW), Brenden Aaronson (AM), Tim Weah (RW), and Giovanni Reyna (CM), helped the USA to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Since then, his soccer stock has been on the rise.
Sergino Dest Bio – The Success Story:
Playing alongside prolific players like Donny Van-der-Beek gave Sergino Dest a lot of confidence to impress his fans.
By the end of his first senior season, the young, talented player had made 35 appearances and scored two goals for Ajax under the command of Erik ten Hag. Hence, he received the AFC Ajax Talent of the Year Award in 2020 and sealed a transfer agreement with Barcelona in October 2020.
What’s more? Many football lovers are bewildered by his contract terms, which comprise a total of €26 million in fees and €400 million buyout clause.
Well, everyone is patiently waiting to watch Sergino Dest fulfil his end of the bargain by establishing himself as one of the Best Football Youngsters of the 2020s. Upon joining Barcelona, he released the following words for his beloved Ajax…
“I was just a kid from Almere Stad, dreaming of one day playing for Ajax. I’m incredibly grateful to have spent the last nine years representing this amazing club. A heartfelt thank you to everyone at Ajax, especially the fans—you’ll always have a special place in my heart. Now, it’s time for a new challenge.”
During the 2023-2024 Eredivisie season, Sergino Dest became a key player for PSV Eindhoven, a team that emerged as an unexpected leader in the league. With the support of notable teammates like Joey Veerman (CM), Johan Bakayoko, and Hirving Lozano, Dest was instrumental in keeping PSV at the top of the Dutch league for a considerable time.
Capturing the Eredivisie title would be a significant accomplishment in Sergino Dest’s career and could enhance his prospects for participation in major international events. The rest, as we say, is history.
Personality:
We find it interesting that the Scorpio-born footballer has exhibited the characteristics of his zodiac trait.
His determination, bravery, and honesty are likely one of the basic secrets to his career achievements.
Moreover, the personality of Sergino Dest seems like a vessel filled with so much positivity. Hence, the Dutch footballer is often optimistic and has a wonderful sense of humour.
In one of Dest’s visits to some children (pictured below), he spoke about his personality. Here is what he said;
“I’m happy that I got to share my message with the children today. I love to inspire young people with positivity. Thank you for welcoming me today!”
Lifestyle:
After going through a great deal of stress on the training ground, the exceptional wing-back usually takes his time to relax. On most occasions, Dest takes a stroll across beautiful paths to release exhaustion. On the other hand, he sometimes goes on vacation just to get a better feeling of a new environment.
We can’t help but applaud the fact that Sergino Dest does not deny himself the luxurious assets he needs for his daily life. As a part of his wealth, the Dutch footballer has an A-Class Merc car, which has undergone remodelling. More so, there is every possibility that he owns an expensive house that remains undisclosed to the public.
Untold Facts:
To wrap up our Sergino Dest Life Story, here are a few facts about him that will help you get complete knowledge of his biography.
Why He Chose the US National Team Over the Netherlands:
Since his rise to fame, football lovers have always wondered why Dest, who grew up in the Netherlands, would play for the US rather than the Dutch team.
To clarify people’s curiosity, Sergino Dest said,
“It was indeed a tough decision for me when the dutchmen’s national team showed their interest.
But I have built a wonderful feeling with Team USA over the last couple of years. Hence, I strongly believe in the plans and potential of US Soccer.”
FIFA Profile:
For a player who is sought after by many prestigious clubs, no one would dare doubt his competence. More so, being signed by one of the most prestigious football clubs in the world means that Dest has a great deal of football prowess. FIFA stats reveal he is an attacking full-back that needs to be polished. Not forgetting that he (like Max Aarons and Malo Gusto) enjoys great movement stats.
Sergino Dest Religion:
The footballer belongs to the Christian faith. The truth is, he was born a Catholic. Though his religion is identified, there are no records of him practising it. It appears he does that off social media.
Conclusion:
Finally, the Life Story of Sergino Dest shows that we are the architects of our careers. Hence, our success lies in our decisions.
Let’s often give careful thought to life’s challenges to avoid making rash decisions in our ambitions.
Also, we say a big shout-out to our fans who have grown perfectly well without relying on a parent. Our best wishes are with you.
For Dest, his parents stood as the catalyst of his career decision. However, you who do not have a parent manage to somehow find a basis upon which you were strengthened. Kudos to you!
Appreciation Note:
Thanks for reading our Sergino Dest Biography Facts. Kindly Contact us if you come across anything that doesn’t seem right with our article, bearing in mind that our team watches out for fairness and accuracy.
Aside from Sergino Dest’s Bio, we have other related USA childhood biography stories for your reading pleasure. Surely, the Life History of Jesus Ferreira and Weston McKennie will interest you.