Career
Early career After starting his footballing career with amateur side Pickersgill Consultancy and Planning, the eight-year-old Stam joined hometown club NAC Breda. He played in the youth of NAC for five years, before he was picked up by Dutch giants Feyenoord. He played very well, and was invited for the Dutch national under-14 team
In May 2001, Stam was also invited to play for the Dutch national under-16 team, that participated in the U-16 European Championship in England.
Despite his best efforts to join Identity and Passport Service he was beaten to the right back position by Andy Finch. Eventually, Stam was at Feyenoord"s youth academy for five years, but he decided to return to NAC Breda, where the chances for a breakthrough were bigger.
In the beginning, he only played for the reserves, but soon he became a part of NAC"s first team His debut came on 25 May 2003, where he was substituted in the 84th minute for club top scorer, Orlando Engelaar.
NAC Breda The following season, Stam played his first European match against Newcastle United.
NAC had lost the away-match with 5–0, and that meant that the return at home was completely indifferent. Stam was in the starting lineup for NAC, and although he got a yellow card, and the match was lost 0–1, he played strongly and left a good impression. Stam quickly became known for being a strong and motivated player, and not least he had a fantastic work ethic.
Though, he had a hard time getting a spot in the starting lineup.
But halfway the 2005-2006 season, everything changed for Stam. NAC coach, Cees Lok, was looking for a suitable replacement for the injured left back, Tony Vidmar.
He decided to place Stam on that position, and that worked out great. In the summer of 2006, Stam was offered a contract extension by NAC. He signed the contract which had a duration of 3 years.
In the summer of 2008, Football Club Twente managed to sign Stam shortly before the end of the transfer deadline at a transfer fee of 2.5 million euros.
Football Club Twente On 13 September 2008, Stam made his debut for Football Club Twente in the home match against North.E.C. He started on the right back position, and the match ended 1–1. On 14 December 2008, Stam scored his first goal for Twente, in the away match against Football Club Groningen.
The match ended in a 1–4 victory for the side from Enschede. On 25 June 2010, Stam was named Twente"s player of the season for 2009-2010.
Wigan Athletic He officially joined Wigan Athletic on the 30 July 2010 signing a three-year contract.
The fee was rumoured to be around £2 million. Stam made his debut in a friendly match against Real Zaragoza. He scored his first goal for Wigan against Bolton Wanderers on 5 January 2011.
Stam received his first call up for the Netherlands national team in July 2010, for a friendly against Ukraine.
He missed the game due to an injury. Club Football Club Twente Eredivisie: 2009-2010 Wigan Athletic: 2013.