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Dutch club signs 18-month-old boy | Football - Soccer | Fox Sports
Dutch football club has taken youth scouting to an extreme, signing an 18-month-old toddler who shot to fame on YouTube.
Baerke van der Meij became an internet sensation when a video, posted by his father on YouTube, showed him shooting three balls into a toy box at his home.
Baerke van der Meij
Little Baerke ... the next Johan Cruyff?Source: Supplied
The startling accuracy and perfect technique hinted that little Baerke may have inherited the technique of Dutch masters of the past like Johan Cruyff and Dennis Bergkamp. The original clip has received over 77,000 views and prompted interest from a top Dutch club.
Baerke van der Meij
Baerke signs on the dotted line - sort of.Source: Supplied
On Wednesday, Baerke's local club VVV Venlo, who play in the Netherlands' top football division, signed the prodigy up to a ten-year "token" contract. His grandfather played for the same club.
"The toddler's favourite position has not yet been determined. But we can speak of a right-footed player with a very good kicking technique, perseverance and, importantly, football genes via his grandfather," the club said in a statement.
The toddler joined VVV's star midfielder Ken Leemans during a training session in De Koel Stadium before being offered the "symbolic" contract.
With a little help from his father, the diminutive Baerke put crayon to paper (sort of) and sealed the deal.
He then showed he wasn't shy of the limelight, posing for pictures wearing a miniature replica shirt.
Read more: VVV-Venlo contracteert unieke voetballer - VVV-Venlo
Dutch football club has taken youth scouting to an extreme, signing an 18-month-old toddler who shot to fame on YouTube.
Baerke van der Meij became an internet sensation when a video, posted by his father on YouTube, showed him shooting three balls into a toy box at his home.
Baerke van der Meij
Little Baerke ... the next Johan Cruyff?Source: Supplied
The startling accuracy and perfect technique hinted that little Baerke may have inherited the technique of Dutch masters of the past like Johan Cruyff and Dennis Bergkamp. The original clip has received over 77,000 views and prompted interest from a top Dutch club.
Baerke van der Meij
Baerke signs on the dotted line - sort of.Source: Supplied
On Wednesday, Baerke's local club VVV Venlo, who play in the Netherlands' top football division, signed the prodigy up to a ten-year "token" contract. His grandfather played for the same club.
"The toddler's favourite position has not yet been determined. But we can speak of a right-footed player with a very good kicking technique, perseverance and, importantly, football genes via his grandfather," the club said in a statement.
The toddler joined VVV's star midfielder Ken Leemans during a training session in De Koel Stadium before being offered the "symbolic" contract.
With a little help from his father, the diminutive Baerke put crayon to paper (sort of) and sealed the deal.
He then showed he wasn't shy of the limelight, posing for pictures wearing a miniature replica shirt.
Read more: VVV-Venlo contracteert unieke voetballer - VVV-Venlo