John Gijsbert Alan Heitinga (born 15 November 1983) is a Dutch football coach and a former player who played as a centre back.
He currently manages the Ajax U19 squad.A product of the Ajax Youth Academy, he played for their first squad from 2001 to 2008.
After a one-year spell at Atlético Madrid in Spain, he signed for Everton in 2009.
Joining Fulham for six months in January 2014, he then signed with German side Hertha BSC the following Summer, signing a two-year deal with the club from Berlin.
In June 2015 he returned to his first club Ajax.
Since his debut for Dutch national team in February 2004, Heitinga has over 85 caps, and he has represented his country at two World Cups (2006 and 2010) and three European Championships (2004, 2008, and 2012).
In 2008, Heitinga was named Dutch Footballer of the Year.