When asked how it feels to be the player valued at £60m, Jan Paul van Hecke smiled. “It’s always tricky to talk about that kind of figure. What matters most to me is the impact on my former club and my youth academy. For myself, it’s not about the money—it doesn’t change who I am. Still, I’m proud to join one of England’s top clubs.”

At 26, this is his first major tournament, and he’s determined to make the most of it. The £60m move from Brighton to Tottenham hasn’t distracted him—he remains fully focused on the Netherlands squad. “My priority is this match against Sweden. The transfer negotiations were handled without disrupting my preparation. Ronald Koeman gave me the space I needed to finalise everything.”

The defender, who arrived with a bruised eye, insists he’s mentally locked in. “I compartmentalised the transfer news to stay fully present for the team. Now, I’m completely focused on the Netherlands.”

This move marks a major step in his career—and it’s already boosting his confidence. “Playing for a club like Tottenham is a huge honour. It’s given me that extra boost, and now I’m solely focused on the World Cup.”

After the tournament, he’ll return to a familiar environment at Tottenham, where he’ll reunite with manager Roberto De Zerbi, whom he worked with at Brighton (2022-2024). He’ll also see familiar faces from the Netherlands squad, including Xavi Simons—though the midfielder is sidelined for this World Cup—and defender Micky van de Ven, who’s drawing interest from Liverpool and Barcelona.

The Netherlands’ commercial success in the transfer market is paying off for clubs like NAC Breda, which negotiated a 7.5% sell-on clause in 2020 when he joined Brighton. The deal is expected to net them around €4.5m, including training compensation. “That money is well-deserved for NAC Breda,” van Hecke said. “I grew up in Arnemuiden, right by the sea—sometimes you could even see England on a clear day.”