Burnley defender Ian Maatsen has revealed how he ended up joining the club last summer despite links to Feyenoord.
The 21-year-old has been speaking to Ziggo Sport, relayed by 1908.nl about what happened last year when he turned down a return to the Netherlands for a season in the Championship with Burnley.
He joined Vincent Kompany’s on loan from Chelsea for the season, the latest in a series of loan deals for him over the last few years.
It proved to be a good season for him as he made 39 appearances in the Championship in total, featuring in 80% of the available minutes and playing a key role as Burnley dominated the division and secured a return to the Premier League.
That meant he missed out on a surprise title win with former club Feyenoord in the Netherlands, with the Dutch side having also been keen on his signature and a deal seeming close at one point.
Instead, he went to Burnley, and has revealed how it was a conversation with Vincent Kompany that led to that decision.
“Arne (Slot) had called me, and he said they wanted me and what they were planning for me,” he said.
“I also just told Arne honestly, man to man, from ‘My dreams are in England. I really appreciate you wanting me. I’ll think about it, but if I make a choice, I think it’s nice to call back.
“Then I called Kompany. I sent him a Burnley photo. I said: ‘I’m ready for the challenge.’ Then he said, ‘Congratulations, let’s get it all down on pape’r. Then I went to call Arne and said that I had made my choice, had not made it public yet, but wanted to say it in person first.”
