Arsenal may not remember the name Glenn Helder too fondly, but for agent Rob Jansen, it’s a transfer that still leaves him smiling.
The Dutch agent has been speaking to the KieftJansenEgmondGijp podcast, relayed by Voetbal Zone, and reminiscing about his efforts to get Helder, another guest on the podcast, to Arsenal.
For those that don’t know, Helder was a Dutch winger who played from 1989 to 2010, featuring for various sides in his homeland, DL Shide in China, Hungarian side MTK Hungaria amongst other clubs.
The biggest move of his career was undoubtedly to Arsenal, whom he joined in February 1995 from Vitesse.
His spell with the Gunners would not prove to be a particularly happy or exciting one, as he lasted just one year and 49 games at Highbury with a tally of one goal and three assists.
It’s a transfer that few will remember from Arsenal’s history, but Jansen certainly does, looking back on the deal he secured for his client with fondness.
“Glenn was very sweet to people, but he was exploited. We were also in London once, when I transferred Glenn to Arsenal. Arsenal still regretted it, but it had worked out for me,” he said.
“We signed that contract, which was a really good one. I think I made Helder a millionaire three times over. We then went into town, just to see London.
“A lady from Arsenal went along to help us through London, that nonsense. Glenn walks down Oxford Street or so past a jewellery shop and this woman looks in the window. There are watches from Rolex and Cartier, all rubbish.
“He says to that woman, ‘Do you want that watch?’ That woman says, ‘No, no, I’m not allowed.’ Glenn said, ‘Take your pick, take it!’
“So, I say to Glenn: ‘Boy, maybe a small detail in this conversation, but you don’t have any money yet, huh.’ He had just signed, and he didn’t know the woman at all!”
