Thomas Vermaelen is a Belgian former professional footballer who played as a central defender. He was born on November 14, 1985, in Kapellen, Belgium. He began his professional career with Ajax, where he won the KNVB Cup. In 2009, he joined Arsenal, where he made over 100 appearances and served as club captain. He won the FA Cup in the 2013–14 season. In 2014, Vermaelen signed for Barcelona, where he won multiple titles including La Liga and the UEFA Champions League. At international level, he represented the Belgium national team, earning over 80 caps and participating in major tournaments.
