Danilho Doekhi


Danilho Raimundo Doekhi is a Dutch professional footballer of Indo-Surinamese descent who plays as a centre-back for club Union Berlin.

Club career

Doekhi was transferred to the AFC Ajax youth program in July 2016, but is a product of the Excelsior youth system. He made his Eredivisie debut with the latter on 6 March 2016 in a game against AZ. He replaced Stanley Elbers in the 81st minute, in a 2–0 away loss.
Doekhi made his Eerste Divisie-debut for Jong Ajax on 17 February 2017, coming on as an injury-time substitute for Léon Bergsma in the 95th minute against Achilles '29, with the game ending in a 3–2 away win.
Doekhi's first league start for Jong Ajax came in the first game of the new season, a 2–1 away win against SC Cambuur. It was followed up with two further starts against Fortuna Sittard and Jong PSV, before alternating between the bench and the starting line-up for much of September and October. After coming on as a sub against Go Ahead Eagles, Doekhi then entered a period of consistent starts for Jong Ajax, making 16 out of a possible 17 appearances in the starting line-up, lasting the full 90 minutes in 14 of them.
On 4 July 2018, Doekhi agreed to join fellow Eredivisie side, Vitesse on a four-year deal. On 12 January 2021, he netted his first goal for the club in a 1–0 victory over FC Utrecht.
On 16 May 2022, Doekhi signed with German Bundesliga club Union Berlin. Later that year, on 30 October, he scored his first goal in a 2–1 victory over Borussia Mönchengladbach. On 20 September 2023, he made his UEFA Champions League debut in a 1–0 away defeat against Real Madrid.

International career

Doekhi represented the Netherlands at youth international level. He later initiated a change of international allegiance to Suriname, but the Surinamese Football Association's application in October 2024 was rejected by FIFA, prompting an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Personal life

Born during the 1998 FIFA World Cup match between Argentina and England, his parents named him Raimundo after Brazilian International footballer Raimundo Souza Vieira de Oliveira. He is the nephew of former Dutch international football player Winston Bogarde and is of mixed Dutch and Surinamese descent.

Honours

Jong Ajax