Emanuelson is a product of Ajax's youth system, joining them from Voorland SC. He made his debut during the 2004–05 season on April 10, 2005 in a 4–2 home win over AZ. As of the 2005–06 season he became first-choice left back and he won his first career trophies, starting with the 2005 Johan Cruijff-schaal and the 2006 KNVB Cup. As a result for his efforts he was named "Amsterdam talent of the year 2006". Both the Johan Cruijff-schaal and the KNVB Cup were successfully defended in the 2006–07 season and the Johan Cruijff-schaal was won for the third consecutive time at the start of the 2007–08 season.
In his last period at Ajax, Emanuelson primarily played as a left midfielder because of his weak defending abilities. He has since flourished in his new role on the left wing, frequently making runs and assisting from the flanks while scoring goals himself. In the 2009-10 Eredivisie season Emanuelson won the KNVB-cup for the third time in his career.
On January 23, 2011, Serie A club Milan announced the signing of Emanuelson to a three-and-a-half-year contract, for a fee of around €1.7 million. After the 2010–11 Serie A season, this fee increased with €750,000, making a total fee of around €2.5 million.
He made his debut for the club on January 26, 2011 in a Coppa Italia match against Sampdoria, providing an assist for Alexandre Pato. Milan won the match 2–1. He played his first game in Serie A, coming on as a substitute against Catania.
Emanuelson scored his first goal for Milan in a Coppa Italia game against Palermo, he scored the equaliser to help Milan draw 2–2. He helped Milan to win their first Scudetto in seven years acting mostly as a substitute. He also won the 2011 Supercoppa Italiana.
He scored his first Serie A goal for Milan in an away match against Cesena on 19 February 2012. He scored his second Serie A goal for Milan in an away game against Parma on 17 March 2012. |
