with videoBram van Polen (38) is putting an end to his football career. The PEC Zwolle club icon says this in a beautiful video. The right back thinks it was good. “Now say it like that, out loud. That affects me.”
Merle Heppenhuis
April 24 2024
Latest update:
12:30
Van Polen made his debut for FC Zwolle on October 12, 2007 at the age of 22 in the match against AGOVV. He was promoted to the Premier League in 2012, won the cup and the Johan Cruijff Shield two years later. He also experienced bad times: in 2022 he was relegated with his club.
Round for stadium
The Harderwijker remained loyal to PEC and, together with the experienced Bart van Hintum, took over the Kitchen Champion Division to ensure that the club returned within a year. And that worked.
While that may have seemed like the perfect time to quit, he continued for another year and, as always, came up with something fun to do with his contract extension.
Where he previously negotiated a dinner at De Librije, a weekend away at Molecaten and a second-hand Peugeot for his wife, this time he came up with something for the supporters: a round of beer in the stadium, because it would probably be his last season.
In this interview from the beginning of this year, Van Polen indicated that he still had doubts
Parting
Although the doubts remained, because playing football is the most beautiful thing for Van Polen, the decision has now been made: he really stops. After 17 years (from the summer of 2007 to the end of this season) and more than 500 matches at PEC, it has been nice, time for a different life.
“Never again playing football in a full stadium. I honestly think I will miss that the most,” says Van Polen. “I enjoyed every time I was allowed to be on the field. And of course we have had our ups and downs, but it was always a privilege to put on this beautiful shirt and play football for our club,” says the captain.
The question remains exactly how different his life will become. For someone who is so involved in a club, it is logical that he will also mean something to PEC Zwolle in the future. He will discuss exactly what that will look like with the club in the near future.
Dream
“As a little boy I dreamed of becoming a professional footballer. And for me that dream has become so much more beautiful. I was able to play football for my own club. A club that suits me in everything,” says Van Polen.
“But for me, the people make the club. I would therefore like to thank everyone who has contributed to my career in some capacity. I have come to love this beautiful club. This is our club and this is the most beautiful club of them all. This love is forever.”
After the last home game this season, on May 19 against FC Twente, Van Polen says goodbye to the supporters.
Also read:
• What will the PEC Zwolle selection look like next season? These contracts are expiring
• Red and yellow flowers from GA Eagles for PEC Zwolle icon Van Polen: ‘I really appreciate it’
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