MICKY VAN DE VEN’S father Marcel is a famous former undercover agent turned TV star in the Netherlands.
Van de Ven, 22, is on the path to stardom in England after a brilliant start to life at Tottenham.
His form for the Prem table toppers recently earned him an international debut for the Dutch national team.
But he may still have a fair way to go to usurp the fame of his dad in his homeland.
Marcel van de Ven worked as an undercover agent in a secret unit responsible for fighting major crimes.
He later transitioned to TV work, becoming the lead detective on Dutch series “Hunted”.
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On the reality show, a team of experts are tasked with tracking down “fugitives” on the run.
His popularity has also seen him pen an autobiography.
Such is the demand that the book has become a bestseller.
His son has quickly become one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League, but things haven’t always gone so smoothly.
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Last month, Van de Ven spoke of how his father’s words of encouragement helped him when it looked like he may be released by second-tier Dutch side Volendam.
He told the PA: “My dad [Marcel] helped me also a lot at Volendam.
“It was a difficult situation for me because when people say they don’t trust you when you are 17-years-old, maybe you have to look for work or something.
“You have to have a second choice if you can’t make it to be a professional football player and you have to switch.
“I said to my dad, ‘maybe I have to work,’ and he was like, ‘No! Trust me. One day a person will come, you will get your chance and grab it’.
“So, I kept working, pushing, pushing, pushing and there was the chance and I grabbed it.”
After breaking into Volendam’s first team, Van de Ven earned a £3.15million move to Wolfsburg in 2021.
Following two years in the Bundesliga, the 6ft 4in ace moved to Tottenham in a £43m switch.
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He has played every minute in all competitions so far this season, and even scored the winning goal against Luton.
Van de Ven became a full Dutch international earlier this month, featuring in matches against France and Greece.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
