Defender ‘on his way’ to Brighton & Hove Albion – Manager confirms player asked to leave club

On August 6th, regional Dutch newspaper BN DeStem reported Brighton & Hove Albion are ‘willing to meet’ NAC Breda’s demands to sign Jan Paul van Hecke.

Last week, Voetbal International explained the Seagulls are negotiating the ‘final details of the deal’ to land the centre-back.

It was also reported the 20-year-old will be loaned out to FC Utrecht this summer.

Van Hecke did not feature in NAC Breda’s 2-0 friendly win over RKC Waalwijk on Tuesday, and BN DeStem report the defender has already played his last match for his current employer.

According to insiders, most likely from the Dutch club, the player is ‘on his way to Brighton & Hove Albion’. Once he completes his move to The Amex, he will be sent out on loan to FC Utrecht. There’s no mention of when the deal will be finalised.

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NAC Breda manager Maurice Steijn has revealed Van Hecke confirming his desire to leave the club was the reason the defender was left out for the friendly.

“Jan Paul had a conversation with Mattijs Manders [general manager] where he indicated his desire to leave. Then it’s better [for him] to stay fit. We have to keep going, then I choose players who will be there at the start of the competition,” Steijn said.