Career
In 1999, he was voted by club supporters as Most Talented Player, receiving the Marco van Basten Trophy. The following year, he scored 15 Eredivisie goals as a midfielder, but the club could only finish fifth. A regular under January Wouters, Knopper saw his playing time reduce when Company Adriaanse took over as head coach in 2000.
He was sidelined with injury for almost the entire season, playing only eight matches that year and appearing slightly more in the following, which would be his last.
In May 2002, Knopper had a trial with Premier League side Sunderland and played in that predicament in the testimonial match for Niall Quinn with the Republic of Ireland on the 14th. From 2002 to 2004 he served two loans, first with Greece"s Aris Thessaloniki F.C. then with South Carolina Heerenveen, slightly reviving his career with the latter.
Upon his Ajax release in the 2004 summer, he spent two additional campaigns with Vitesse Arnhem, appearing regularly. After some problems with Vitesse manager Aad de Mos, Knopper was forced to leave, joining ADO Den Haag.
In July 2007 a three-year link was agreed, with the player netting again in double figures (ten) in 2008-2009, crucial to help in a narrow escape from relegation.
In the 2010 summer, aged 33, he was released. In January 2011, Knopper moved to Liga Primer Indonesia team PSM Makassar, leaving after a couple of months and signing with lowly Haaglandia back in his country, where he ended his career.