AZ Alkmaar 2016/2017 Third Shirt

AZ ALKMAAR - THIRD SHIRT 2016/2017

AZ Alkmaar were founded in 1967 through the merger of two local sides and take their name from Alkmaar Zaanstreek, the famous cheese-market city and surrounding region north of Amsterdam. They play at the AFAS Stadion, opened in 2006 on the edge of the city. For a club from a mid-sized town, AZ have long punched above their weight, crowned Dutch champions twice: first in 1980/1981, and again in 2008/2009 under Louis van Gaal, breaking the traditional grip of Ajax, PSV and Feyenoord.

The 2016/2017 season, during which this striking third shirt was worn, saw AZ managed by John van den Brom, who had been in charge since 2014. They finished 4th in the Eredivisie, comfortably the best of the chasing pack behind the big three and booking another European campaign in the process.

What the season is best remembered for is a run all the way to the KNVB Cup final. AZ reached the showpiece at De Kuip in Rotterdam on 30 April 2017, only to be denied by Vitesse, who lifted the first major trophy in their history through two Ricky van Wolfswinkel goals in the last ten minutes of a 2-0 defeat. In Europe, AZ came through their Europa League group before running into Lyon in the knockout rounds, losing the home leg 1-4.

Up top, Wout Weghorst top scored in his debut season at the club with 13 league goals after arriving from Heracles Almelo. The towering striker's form soon earned him a move to Germany, the first step of a career that would later take him to the Premier League and a World Cup with the Netherlands.

Follow the club on X: @AZAlkmaar