Leeds United goalkeeper Dani van den Heuvel has received his first-call up for the Netherlands U21 in the ongoing international.
The 20-year-old has told Voetbalzone that he “appreciates life more” since he was involved in a serious car accident around the Netherlands U19 training camp in June 2020.
Initially, there were concerns of paralysis after he broke his neck and jaw, but the Leeds youngster fought his way back and returned to training later that year.
Earlier this year, Van de Heuvel returned to the pitch and made eight appearances for Whites’ U21 side in the second half of the last season.
The Dutchman, who no longer struggles with any discomfort, has now opened up about his recovery, initially in the Netherlands and then in England with Leeds.
“After the accident I had to take it easy for a while. When I got the green light to build everything up, I immediately started working with the KNVB physios and doctors. They helped me initially, so I could stay with my family in the Netherlands a little longer,” he said.
“When I was fit enough to fly, I went back to Leeds and the physios and doctors took over there. I’ve become very fit and even feel fitter than before the accident. I trained myself completely and was even allowed to join the first team again. After that I didn’t really have any problems anymore, fortunately.”
The stopper was also honest in admitting that football took a backseat for weeks after he was involved in the accident.
“In the first weeks you don’t think about football, you worry about bigger things. I feared for my life and was afraid that I would no longer be able to do certain things. Because I had also broken my jaw, I was barely able to eat at first,” Van de Heuvel explained.
“That was a frustrating and emotional period, but as I noticed progress, things got better. At one point I got the green light to start training again and my life soon revolved around football again.”
The Leeds player insisted he’s grateful for the support he received from his family and Whites defender Stuart Dallas in his recovery.
