The surprise was big when Ricardo van Rhijn showed up at FC Emmen this summer. However, the defender indicates that it was a very conscious choice to start working at De Oude Meerdijk.
“A surprise? Some people will say that, but for me, it‘s a very conscious choice. One that I fully support,” he starts talking to DeccEit. Van Rhijn played interlands for Oranje and came to more than a hundred matches in the shirt of Ajax. After his transfer-free departure at sc Heerenveen last season, he hoped for an adventure abroad. There was interest from Greece, Israel and France, but the right club wasn’t there.
“Everyone knows I was hoping for that, but Corona has had its impact on the football world,” continues Van Rhijn. “At some point you notice that it is becoming a bit quiet on the market, both in general and in yourself. Those are nervous moments. Then you think: it‘s time for clarity now, because that gives peace.”
FC Barcelona from the Johan Cruijff ArenA to De Oude Meerdijk. It is a remarkable career path for Van Rhijn, which indicates that there was more in it. “That’s right, you could say that. But this is the path I‘m walking now. Of course I would have preferred to go to FC Barcelona from Ajax, but that’s for a small group. I should be glad to be able to play football at this level at a fun club.”