When you think of Bram van Polen, you think of PEC Zwolle. The 38-year-old veteran has been under contract with the club from Overijssel for seventeen seasons and that makes him one of the most club-loyal players in Europe. In conversation with Football zone he talks about club love, his future and a remarkable offer.
PEC Zwolle took over Van Polen from Vitesse on a free transfer in 2007. The right-back has not defended another club badge since. According to research agency CIES Van Polen leaves behind, among others, Bayern Munich legend Thomas Müller (sixteen seasons) and Atlético Madrid midfielder Koke (fifteen seasons).
Watch the interview with Bram van Polen below:
However, with seventeen seasons, Van Polen is not yet a record holder. That title is in the name of goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev, who has been under contract with the Russian superpower CSKA Moscow for 21 seasons.
In the current era of football, club loyal players like Van Polen are scarce. Due to the transfer violence, players are more likely to be convinced to make a move. “I think the whole world, slash society, is becoming a bit more selfish. Every person is more concerned with themselves and whether that is a good or bad choice, I leave open.”
“I might also have let my contract expire or opted for other clubs where I would have earned more money. But those are choices and I have always made that choice based on feeling,” says Van Polen.
Despite his own loyalty, the veteran also understands that other football players are more likely to become financially dependent. “PEC suits me, but there are now more football players who want to play football 'indoors' and that is also their right. I just think it's great that I played at my club for so long. For someone like Thomas Müller, Bayern is his club, but this is my club.”
De Nijkerker indicates that he used to look up to Steven Gerrard. The former Liverpool player also played for seventeen seasons the Reds before ending his career in the United States with LA Galaxy.
Flowers
A month ago, Van Polen played his five hundredth professional football match in Deventer, of all places, with arch-rival Go Ahead Eagles. Even though he is not loved by the Deventer public, Van Polen still received a bunch of red-yellow tulips.
An interesting detail is that Van Polen indicated in an interview in 2021 that he would never purchase the Go Ahead colors. Yet the flowers have survived for a long time. “They were on our table for at least three weeks. That showed so much respect from Go Ahead, so I'm not going to be petty and not take him home.”
The veteran further states that he has not yet made a final decision about his future. The PEC captain is thinking about what he will do after his football career. For example, the clubman would one day like to work as general manager.
“Provided I am capable enough for that and I still enjoy it after completing the process, I do have that ambition. Have there been any further discussions? Of ESPN and PEC I have two organizations that are reasonably specific for a job after my active career. I have also had an offer from a Mercedes dealer, but that is not going to be it. I don't see myself as a car salesman,” he concludes with a laugh.
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