Micky van de Ven: “I’m so excited to be part of the future of Spurs”
Tue 08 August 2023, 13:45|
Tottenham Hotspur
Micky van de Ven always thought it would be amazing to sign for Spurs – now it’s reality.
The central defender from Wormer, Netherlands, joined us from Bundesliga side VfL Wolfsburg on Tuesday, signing a contract with us which will run until 2029.
Speaking exclusively to SPURSPLAY, Micky’s excitement at joining us was tangible. “I know Spurs is a beautiful club, an amazing club, a top club in the Premier League. Those are the things I know. Every time I see a player sign for Spurs, I think, ‘wow, it would be amazing to sign for an amazing club like that’. I’m so excited to be part of the future of Spurs.
“I was at the game, and I saw the way of playing from the new manager, from Ange, and I really love it, offensive football, exactly what I want. It looked amazing at the game yesterday, every time we had the ball, every player. There is so much quality in the team.”
Micky came through the ranks at Volendam under legendary former Dutch midfielder Wim Jonk and having played 26 of 38 matches in the Eredivisie aged just 18/19 in 2020/21, joined VfL Wolfsburg in the summer of 2021. He had a quiet first season in Germany but exploded onto the scene last term, playing 33 of 34 matches in the Bundesliga and then captaining Holland at the UEFA Under-21 Finals.
Tall and commanding at 6ft 4ins, describes himself as ‘calm on the ball’, but it’s his sheer pace that has caught the eye of many, not least a sprint back to make a clearance for Wolfsburg against Union Berlin in a DFB-Pokal tie in January where, with goalkeeper Pavao Pervan up for a corner, Micky sprinted from his own half to block in front of an open goal from Jerome Roussillon.
“I’m a centre-back, a tall guy, I think I have some speed, so I can play in a high line, offensive football, between the lines. I think I’m quite calm on the ball and hopefully I can help the team,” he said of his own style, and asked how he expects the Premier League to differ from Holland and Germany, added: “Every player will be top, so I have to be ready for this stage, and I’m really proud I can play on this stage. To play every time against a top club, and playing for a top club, for me, it’s an incredible feeling to be in the Premier League.”
At 22, he certainly has plenty of experience under his belt already, including approaching 100 senior games in Holland and Germany and, as mentioned, wearing the armband. “I think it will help me, yes, a full year in the Bundesliga, in some matches I have become a captain,” he said.
“I think I can learn so much here, every day on the training ground with top players, top facilities, everything is top here, top fans, top stadium. I think I can develop more here and hopefully I can become a really great player for Spurs.”
