Date of birth: 17.03.1982
Place of birth: Johannesburg, Gauteng
Height: 1,70
Nationality: South Africa
Position: Midfield - Midfield, left
Foot: both
Nickname: Peanuts
Chant: Pien-Pien-Pienaar...
Steven Pienaar is a South African midfielder who was on loan to Everton from Tottenham Hotspur in 2012. Pienaar is predominately a left winger but can also play down the right.
Did You Know? Pienaar is commonly referred to by his nickname "Schillo" in South Africa, a childhood nickname given to him by friends after the exploits of Totò Schillaci during the 1990 World Cup.
Did You Know? Pienaar is commonly referred to by his nickname "Schillo" in South Africa, a childhood nickname given to him by friends after the exploits of Totò Schillaci during the 1990 World Cup.
He started his career at Ajax Cape Town in South Africa a feeder club to Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam. Pienaar shone and it wasn’t long before he moved to the Netherlands with Ajax.
There he played alongside the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Maxwell, Cristian Chivu, Mido, Nigel de Jong, Rafael van der Vaart, Wesley Sneijder and future Everton team-mate John Heitinga. Andy van der Meyde.
In 2006 he signed for Borussia Dortmund in Germany as a replacement for Arsenal bound Tomáš Rosický. Pienaar never really established himself in the Dortmund side and it wasn’t long before Everton came calling!
He joined us on loan for 2007-08 and shone and the loan switch quickly became a permanent one for a pre agreed fee of just over £2 million.
The next season Pienaar was voted the player of the season and went on to establish a lethal attacking partnership with left back Leighton Baines as they linked up down the left hand side.
Pienaar was offered a new contract at Everton and the saga seemed to dwindle on for months subsequently raising Evertonians eyebrows over his long term commitment to the Goodison cause.
He looked as though he would leave for nothing at the end of his contract which altered potential suitors who began to start hovering. In January 2011 Everton accepted a bid from Spurs fearing the prospect of loosing Pienaar for nothing at the end of the season.
The Everton fans were disappointed but could maybe see why he had decided to join Tottenham Hotspur as they seemed to be becoming a very exciting attacking side where Pienaar could thrive.
Pienaar never really made an impact in the Tottenham team with injuries and an abundance of gifted left sided players making it difficult for Pienaar to break into the side.
Pienaar rejoined Everton in January 2011 initially on a six month loan deal, he returned permanently to Goodison Park in July 2012 after lengthy negotiations between Everton and Tottenham officials.
At the start of the 2012/13 season Pienaar retired from playing for his country South Africa, possibly so he could concentrate on playing for Everton.
At the start of the 2012/13 season Pienaar retired from playing for his country South Africa, possibly so he could concentrate on playing for Everton.
