Born in Rotterdam, Bogarde started his career at SVV in the Eerste Divisie, as a winger,[1] then switched to the Eredivisie in summer 1991, playing with hometown club Sparta (he previously had a short loan spell with neighbouring Excelsior in the second division) and scoring a career-best 11 goals in the 1993–94 season as it qualified for the UEFA Intertoto Cup.

[5] As the Dutch influence at Barcelona was reduced, so was Bogarde's, who only managed one league contest in his first full season, partly due to injuries,[6] although he bounced back for a second respectable one (21 games, two goals).

[9] He was signed when Gianluca Vialli was manager, although the latter had no idea the transfer was happening, it arguably being conducted by director of football Colin Hutchinson – Emerson Thome, also a centre-back, was shipped off to Sunderland;[10][11] only weeks after arriving, newly appointed coach Claudio Ranieri wanted the player to leave.

[17] During his spell at Stamford Bridge, the club attempted to sell Bogarde due to his large salary, and demoted him to the reserve and youth teams in an effort to pressure him to leave.

[19]Courtesy of steady performances at Ajax, Bogarde was summoned to UEFA Euro 1996 by Netherlands manager Guus Hiddink, who also included him in the squad for the 1998 FIFA World Cup.

Bogarde had the chance to feature in his first start at a World Cup match against Brazil in the semi-finals, after starter Numan was suspended in the previous encounter against Argentina, but he sustained a serious shin injury during training and was hospitalised,[21] being replaced by Philip Cocu.

[25] In March 2020, Bogarde was temporarily promoted to the first-team coaching staff by manager Erik ten Hag, as Christian Poulsen was absent due to possible contact with COVID-19; after the 3–1 win at Heerenveen, the upgrade was made permanent.