TOTTENHAM’s £27m new boy Steven Bergwijn announced himself to Spurs fans with a stunning strike on his debut against Manchester City.
And the Dutch forward will be looking to continue his scoring streak when the North London giants lock horns with Southampton in an FA Cup Fourth Round replay tonight.
Steven Bergwijn scored on his Spurs debut against Man CityCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Bergwijn owes his career to supportive dad, JurgenCredit: Instagram @j_bergwijn
One attribute that stood out in the 2-0 win over Pep Guardiola’s side was 22-year-old Bergwijn’s close control when under pressure.
It’s a skill he can thank his dedicated dad for, who religiously tossed balls high up in the air for his young son to try and bring down instantly.
The fleet-forward wide man is also no stranger to living the high-life, driving top-of-range Mercedes cars and dating a glamorous missus.
But he had to work hard to achieve his dreams of earning a Premier League move.
He comes from a loving family – and two years ago shared a cheeky photo on Instagram of himself as a kid with a can of Heineken.
CRUYFF COURT
When Bergwijn was just seven, his early promise saw him scouted by Ajax.
After training, he would make his way home to Almere – some 18 miles form Amsterdam and head straight to Cruyff Court.
At the tiny turf pitch, he would be joined by Surinam-born dad Jurgen, who would put his boy through his paces.
“He’d toss the ball up in the air, like, way, way, waaaay up — and I’d have to bring it down under control in different ways,” Bergwijn told The Players’ Tribune.
Bergwijn shared this photo on Instagram of him as a child with a can of HeinekenCredit: Instagram @stevenbergwijn
Dad Jurgen Bergwijn has even more tattoos than his famous sonCredit: Instagram @j_bergwijn
“Sometimes on my chest, sometimes with my feet. Because I was a bit smaller than the other kids, my dad knew that winning the ball in the air wasn’t going to be easy for me.
“So he’d toss it up, and I’d bring it down. Over and over and over again.”
A FATHER’S SACRIFICE
At the age of 13 Bergwijn moved to PSV after falling out with an Ajax coach, and the aspiring footballer became even more reliant upon his dad.
Jurgen Bergwijn would drive nearly two hours to get his son to Eindhoven, sleep in the academy’s car park, then drive Steven back.
“When I left Ajax at 13 years old to play with PSV, my dad became the only way I could get to Eindhoven to train with my new club,” he said.
“Every weekday, we’d wake up at 5:30 a.m, eat breakfast, get in the car, and drive an hour and 45 minutes to Eindhoven for a 9:00 a.m training session.
“I’d do all the things my dad taught me on the pitch while, about 200 yards away, he slept in the car in the parking lot. Then I’d come over, knock on the glass, and we’d drive all the way back and I’d go to school.
“We did that for nearly two years. Two years.
“That was the sacrifice my dad, and my whole family — my mom, sister and brother — made for me.
Both Bergwijn’s parents were originally from SurinamCredit: Instagram @j_bergwijn
Bergwijn always had the support of his brother and sister as he worked hard to become a footballerCredit: Instagram @j_bergwijn
“They’d make that drive, too, to come watch games and support me whenever they could.
“Eventually we moved to Eindhoven and the commute became a lot shorter, and the sleeping in the car finally stopped.”
BECOMING A PRO BRINGS ITS TRAPPINGS
Bergwijn was an established player in the PSV team by the age of 18.
And soon he began to enjoy the trappings of what being a top-class footballer brings.
While he doesn’t boast a Neymar-like entourage, he does like his cars.
His preferred choice of motor is Mercedes, and he’s been seen behind the wheel of a AMG GLE 63 worth around £120,000.
Recently, Bergwijn also added a G Wagon to his car collection that has a starting price of around £93,000.
Both cars won’t look out of place in North London’s poshest abodes, where the Tottenham and Arsenal’s football elite reside.
After breaking into PSV’s first team, Bergwijn invested in some nice wheelsCredit: Instagram @stevenbergwijn
Bergwijn shared a snap on Instagram with his Mercedes AMG GT 63 worth around £120kCredit: Instagram @stevenbergwijn
Recently, Bergwijn added a £93k Mercedes G Wagon to his garageCredit: Instagram @stevenbergwijn
A GIRL CALLED CHLOE
Bergwijn has reportedly been in a romance with stunning 21-year-old Chloe Jay since 2015.
The fashionable Wag is a dancer, model and social media influencer with over 50,000 followers on Instagram.
She often shares snippets of her life online to fans, whether it’s onboard a private yacht in a glamorous holiday setting or getting ready to dine in a posh restaurant – she’s got the art of being a Wag down to a tee.
And shortly after Christmas, Chloe stunned fans when she revealed she was expecting the pair’s first child together – a baby boy.
They even threw a special party with their loved ones to celebrate the good news.
Bergwijn dates stunning model Chloe JayCredit: Instagram @chloejaylois
Jay is an influencer who boasts over 50,000 followers on InstagramCredit: Instagram @chloejaylois
Jay has taken to Wag life, enjoying the trappings of expensive beach holidaysCredit: Instagram @chloejaylois
This year Jay and Bergwijn will be welcoming their first child togetherCredit: Instagram @chloejaylois
How to say Steven Bergwijn’s name properly as Tottenham star reveals English and Dutch pronunciations before scoring on Spurs debut
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
