Dennis Bergkamp vs Clint Dempsey: Stats Compared
Second Striker, Netherlands (born 1969, retired 2006) · Forward, United States (born 1983, retired 2018)
The Dennis Bergkamp–Clint Dempsey comparison is one of those fixtures of footballing folklore. Strikers are judged on goals, and on that raw currency both men delivered extraordinary returns. Across his senior career Dennis Bergkamp notched 290 goals in 795 appearances (0.36 per game), while Clint Dempsey recorded 180 in 550 (0.33 per game). Assists were not reliably tracked for much of their careers, which makes the playmaking comparison an imperfect one; where records exist, Dennis Bergkamp is credited with 0 and Clint Dempsey with 90. Dennis Bergkamp departs the game with 10 major pieces of silverware, including 1× UEFA Cup (1992); Clint Dempsey with 2, including 1× MLS Supporters' Shield (2014). Dennis Bergkamp scored with a intelligent that defined his era, while Clint Dempsey's finishing carried a predatory all of its own. Their routes to the top were distinct: Dennis Bergkamp built his reputation across Ajax, Inter Milan, Arsenal, peaking around 2002, while Clint Dempsey reached his defining level around 2012 after spells with New England Revolution, Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur, Seattle Sounders. The honest conclusion is that comparison enriches appreciation rather than crowns a single winner.
186 words · comparison angle: goalscoring
Player profiles
Dutch forward and Arsenal icon renowned for his technical brilliance; three-time Premier League winner with the Gunners.
“A statuesque second striker whose first touch and vision created beauty wherever he played.”
The first American to score in three separate World Cups, Dempsey became the first US-born player to captain a Premier League team and remains one of the country's most decorated forwards.
“A tenacious, technically gifted forward whose late runs into the box and clever improvisation produced some of American soccer's most memorable goals.”
Head-to-head stats
Career goals by season
Representative career seasons — goals per season for each player across their documented clubs.
Attribute radar
Attribute ratings are peak-era, 0–100. Different positions naturally skew the profile.
Attribute comparison
Trophy breakdown
- 1× UEFA Cup (1992)
- 1× UEFA Cup Winners' Cup (1987)
- 1× Eredivisie (1990)
- 3× Premier League (1998, 2002, 2004)
- 4× FA Cup (1998, 2002, 2003, 2005)
- 1× MLS Supporters' Shield (2014)
- 1× MLS Cup (2016)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1986 Ajax debut
- 1990 Won the Eredivisie with Ajax
- 1993 Joined Inter Milan in an unhappy spell
- 1998 Scored iconic World Cup goal against Argentina
- 2002 Won the Premier League and FA Cup double
- 2004 Part of Arsenal's Invincibles season
- 2006 Final Emirates Stadium farewell
- 2004 Professional debut for New England Revolution
- 2014 Won MLS Supporters' Shield with Seattle Sounders
- 2016 Won MLS Cup with Seattle Sounders
- 2012 Reached the peak of his powers at Fulham
- 2018 Retired after a final spell at Seattle Sounders
- Finished his career with 180 goals in 550 appearances and 2 major honours. Finished his career with 180 goals in 550 appearances and 2 major honours.
The verdict
Weighing production against honours, Dennis Bergkamp takes the verdict — a decisive margin, driven by a sharper goalscoring record.
Dennis Bergkamp edges it (a decisive margin)
