Jan Vertonghen will stick around for another year at RSC Anderlecht, the Belgian top club confirmed on Wednesday via official channels. The 37-year-old defender, who recently announced his retirement as a Red Devilannounced his stay in a playful manner. Vertonghen had a full-page advertisement printed in The last newsthe largest newspaper in Belgium.
During the last league match, Anderlecht supporters displayed a large banner: 'Our story is not over yet, Jan'. After that, there was a brief silence from the Vertonghen camp.
Through HLN the experienced man-marker finally came up with the answer he was looking for on Wednesday. The defender had a full-page advertisement printed: 'Our story is not over yet ~ Jan '. Where his international career ends, Vertonghen will still be retained for the Belgian competition.
Vertonghen explained his choice on the club website. “I was clearly not ready to say goodbye to RSC Anderlecht. I feel completely at home here and I also feel the appreciation of the fans and the people within the club.”
“That convinced me to do another year. I look forward to sharing the dressing room with this group of players for another season and using my experience to help the club further,” Vertonghen concludes.
Sporting director Jesper Fredberg also has his say. “Jan has been a crucial part of Anderlecht over the past two years. You can just see his passion and the belief he has in the project. By keeping Jan with us for another year, we create continuity. And that is exactly what we are looking for now; it is important for us to continue building on the team that is there.”
“I see Jan as a fighter and a gentleman. As a footballer, he always gives everything on the pitch. But off the pitch, he is curious, caring and always willing to help. He is a great ambassador for our values and for football in general. So we are honoured that he will stay with us for another season,” said Fredberg. Vertonghen is the permanent captain of Anderlecht in Brussels.
Vertonghen has played 72 matches for Anderlecht since his return, in which he scored 5 goals and provided 2 assists. With a new season approaching, the left-footer can therefore reach the milestone of one hundred matches for Anderlecht. With the Belgian team, the counter recently ended at a record number of 157 international matches, in which Vertonghen scored 10 goals and provided 6 assists.
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