Donny van de Beek has confirmed fellow Dutchman and former Blue John Heitinga gave Everton a glowing reference ahead of sealing his loan move from Manchester United – and the midfielder says he is savouring the prospect of playing for the club’s “amazing and emotional” supporters.
Van de Beek became Frank Lampard’s first signing as Everton manager on a busy transfer deadline day, which also saw a permanent deal for Dele Alli from Tottenham Hotspur.
Netherlands international van de Beek was part of an exceptional Ajax side before joining United in summer 2020, having come through the ranks at the Dutch giants’ illustrious academy.
When he first broke into the senior Ajax team in 2015/16, Van de Beek counted Heitinga as a teammate, the ex-Everton defender having rejoined the club where he started his career for his swansong season.
As first revealed in the ECHO on Sunday, Van de Beek explains how he reached out to Heitinga when the opportunity to join Everton presented itself – and he says the passion and loyalty of Evertonians was foremost in their conversations.
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He told evertontv: “When I went to the Ajax first team when I was 18 or 19 years old, John had come back at the end of his career, so we played together and after that he was a coach.
“We have had contact and, before I signed here, I spoke with him about the club and he was really positive. He enjoyed his time here.
“He said the fans are really emotional and they always stay behind the team. He enjoyed it here…the stadium, the atmosphere. He loved it.
“There have been a few Dutch players who have played here in the past. I’ve followed the club for a few years and I think I know Everton well.
“It is a big club – everyone knows this – with big players, a lot of history and amazing fans.
“The club has everything to be higher in the table.”
Van de Beek is ineligible for Saturday’s home FA Cup match against Brentford but will be in contention to make his Everton debut in the crucial Premier League clash at Newcastle United three days later.
He could then experience his first taste of Goodison as an Everton player when the Blues host Leeds United on Saturday February 12.
The majority of van de Beek’s matches since moving to England have been played behind-closed-doors due to coronavirus restrictions – and the 24-year-old believes performing in front of the Blues’ vocal home and away support can help him produce his best form.
He said: “Always as a football player, you want full stadiums.
“I think in England, the best competition in the world, with the best fans, you want to experience this.
“I look forward to it [a packed Goodison].
“I played at Goodison twice last season – once without fans and once only with 2,000 supporters. I want to see the stadium full and that will be lovely.”
Renowned for his intelligent movement, imaginative passing and clinical finishing, van de Beek boasts the ability to make vital contributions in the final third.
Indeed, he reached double figures for goals in his each of his final three seasons with Ajax – notching a career high 17 times in 2018/19 as his team reached the Champions League semi-finals and won a Dutch league and cup double.
It stands to reason, then, that van be Beek is relishing working with new boss Lampard, who established a reputation as one of the most effective goalscoring midfielders in Europe during his glittering playing career.
The Dutchman believes he can “learn a lot” from Lampard and explained the all-round qualities he will strive to bring to Everton.
Van de Beek said: “I want to score goals, of course, but not only this – I want to help with my passing and give some assists to our front players. This is my aim.
“The manager was a little bit in the same position as me – a midfield player who was scoring a lot of goals. Of course, I think he can help me improve, so I think I’m in a good spot.
“We have good players in the team and I think we have the abilities to go up in the league. But, for that, we need to work hard and I want to be part of this.
“The most important thing is we win games and go up [the table]. This is the big part for me.”
