“What does it feel like to be the player valued at 60 million euros?” The question brought a smile to Jean-Paul van Hecke’s face. “It’s always tricky to comment on that. My main joy is knowing this benefits my former club and the academy that shaped me. For me, it’s just a number—it won’t change who I am. Though I’m proud to be joining one of England’s top clubs.”

Fresh off a 26-million-euro transfer from Brighton to Tottenham, the 26-year-old defender sported a black eye during his press conference, though he insisted it had nothing to do with national team manager Ronald Koeman, who sat beside him. “My sole focus is on this match against Sweden. The transfer hasn’t distracted me—it hasn’t affected me at all. I’m fully immersed in the Dutch team’s preparations.” He added that Koeman had given him the space needed to finalize the move, ensuring no interference with the national team’s schedule.

Van Hecke acknowledged the pressure of facing Sweden’s attacking duo—Alexander Isak and Emil Gyökeres—whom he had previously faced in the Premier League. After a 2-2 draw with Japan in the tournament opener, he stressed that his performance against Sweden would be critical. Yet he remained confident, compartmentalizing the excitement of his club transfer with his World Cup ambitions: “This transfer marks a major milestone in my career. Playing for one of England’s elite clubs has boosted my confidence, but now I’m entirely focused on the Netherlands. This is a dream come true—I want to play as many World Cup matches as possible.”

At 26, this is his first major tournament. Beyond his World Cup aspirations, he looks forward to reuniting with former Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi at Tottenham. He also shared the stage with teammates Xavi Simons—who missed this World Cup due to injury—and defender Micky van de Ven, whose future at Tottenham remains uncertain amid interest from Liverpool and Barcelona.

The transfer from Brighton to Tottenham, negotiated this week, also carries significance for his boyhood club, NAC Breda. The Dutch club had secured a 7.5% sell-on clause in 2020 when he moved to Brighton. With the transfer fee reported around 60 million euros, NAC Breda is set to receive approximately 4.5 million euros, including training compensation. “It’s well-deserved for the club,” Van Hecke said humbly. Hailing from Arnemuiden in the southern Netherlands, just a stone’s throw from the sea, he often jokes that on clear days, he could see England from his hometown.