Former Huddersfield Town forward Rajiv van La Parra has told Algemeen Dagblad that he had offered himself to several top clubs before joining Almere City on a free transfer earlier this year.
The 32-year-old spent three years at the Kirklees Stadium between 2016 and 2019, and managed seven goals and five assists from 102 games for the Terriers.
In his first season at Huddersfield Town, Van La Parra was part of the squad that achieved promotion to the Premier League. He was a regular for them the following season but had an up and down time.
Last month, the Dutchman was seen celebrating with Almere City psychologist Annemieke Zijerveld after he scored in his side’s 2-0 win over FC Utrecht.
AD now say the pair received a lot of interview requests after the tie, and Van La Parra has talked about how the psychologist has helped him in his career.
“I didn’t expect that. But actually, that’s only a good thing. The outside world may think that we are all machos, but there is also a sensitive side,” he said.
“I’m not the only player who needs help sometimes. Denzel Dumfries spoke out during the last World Cup. He also benefited a lot from Annemieke. It’s good that so much attention is being paid to it.”
The attacker has also revealed that a psychologist visited Huddersfield Town twice a year during his time with the English club, and he sounds like he wishes he’d got more from that.
“He then spoke to the group about the mental aspects that top athletes can face. That in itself wasn’t of much use. But that was also my fault. Everything moves so fast in the football world. You go from match to match and you never have time to think calmly. Yes, if you don’t have a club and no one wants you. But then it’s actually too late,” Van La Parra explained.
