Jan Paul van Hecke has spoken out for the first time since joining Tottenham from Brighton in a £52m transfer.
Van Hecke will move to Tottenham after manager Roberto De Zerbi took charge and steered the club to Premier League safety on the final day of the season.
De Zerbi previously worked with Van Hecke at Brighton and made the 26-year-old, who had 12 months left on his Brighton contract after a six-year stint on the south coast, a high priority.
The Netherlands international is currently at the World Cup, where the Dutch take on Sweden in Houston on Saturday.
Asked about the days leading up to the transfer, Van Hecke said “A lot of calls, and of course I’ve not been involved the whole time in this subject. It’s important for me, and the head coach [Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman] gave me the time on this transfer. I’m grateful for this because this is a great step forwards in my professional career.
“I am proud to have played for Brighton, it boosted my confidence, but now I will play for one of the most important clubs in England. It’s important for my future. but now I’m focused on the World Cup here.”
Dutch club NAC Breda stand to earn around £3.5m from the transfer after agreeing a sell-on clause when selling Van Hecke to Brighton in 2020. His youth club, VV Goes, also stand to earn from the move.
“It’s great for these two teams where I played. I had youth training in the province of Zeeland [with VV Goes], I played there six years. it was great. Goes will earn money thanks to this transfer. These clubs will be happy with this transfer and they deserve that.”
Van Hecke’s uncle is Jan Poortvliet, who played for the Netherlands in the 1978 World Cup final.
“I think De Zerbi played a big role in the decision,” Poortvliet, who is now manager of second-tier FC Eindhoven, told Dutch outlet sportnieuws. “Several clubs were interested but De Zerbi was clear and absolutely wanted him. Jan Paul would have been at the top of the list. He knows De Zerbi’s playing style well and had a fantastic season under him.”
Spurs have also signed Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson and Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi on free transfers.
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