MICHAEL VAN GERWEN is one of the most recognisable stars in darts – but fans have been left speechless after seeing his former look.
Snaps have emerged of the three-time world champion sporting gingery-auburn hair during his early career.
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RexMichael van Gerwen is one of darts more recognisable stars[/caption]
RexThrowback pics to the Dutchman’s appearance at the PDC World Championships in 2008 have left fans stunned[/caption]
The Dutchman rocked the locks for his first two years on the circuit.
And with the 2025 PDC World Championships in full swing, fans are eager for a trip down memory lane.
Throwback pictures to his debut appearance at the Ally Pally show a very different MVG to the one we know now.
Sporting a wiry frame, it is MVG’s hair which makes him look a completely different player.
Van Gerwen began playing darts at 13 and within just four years was playing against one of the sports great legends in Raymond van Barneveld.
In 2007, aged 17, he threw a nine-darter against Van Barneveld to make history as the youngest player to ever achieve the feat at a televised event.
And the records would continue to tumble.
After a few years of inconsistency, he would eventually win his first PDC Tour title in 2012.
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And in 2014 he became the youngest world champion in darts history, beating Peter Wright 7-4 in the final to claim the title at the age of just 24.
Since then he has gone on to win the championship on two more occasions – in 2017 and 2019.
GettyVan Gerwen looks unrecognisable in photos from back in 2008[/caption]
GettyThe Dutchman was a young prodigy in darts and has lived up to the billing[/caption]
Following a tough 2024, Van Gerwen issued an ominous warning to his rivals ahead of his Ally Pally return on Friday.
He faces James Hurrell in his opening tie in the World Darts Championship as he heads into the tournament without being favourite for the first time in years.
Speaking to De Telegraaf, he said: “It hasn’t been a great year, but we still have a while.
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“I haven’t lost it, mind you. But ‘it will be okay,’ I really can’t think that now.
“It is far too changeable now and I have to do everything I can to get that out. That doesn’t mean it will work out immediately, but it can happen very quickly.
“In September I also suddenly won the Euro Tour in Budapest. The problem is that even after winning it could quickly go the other way again.”
He defiantly added: “Let them all think that they don’t have to take me into account, then one day someone will get the lid on their nose.”
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