Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at 12:49 PM• Bart DHanis • Last update: 12:52

Brighton & Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi has become convinced of the qualities of Jan Paul van Hecke and wants to extend and significantly upgrade his contract with the club, reports Football International. Van Hecke got in the penultimate league game of the Seagulls the chance to prove himself against Manchester City (1-1) and has done so.

During the game at the American Express Community Stadium, Zeeland’s Van Hecke Premier League top scorer Erling Braut knocked out Haaland. The 23-year-old central defender blocked two attempts, took two balls and made three slidings. Van Hecke also made a big impression on the ball. Of the 33 passes sent, 30 reached a teammate, recording a pass accuracy rate of more than 90 percent.

Before the winter break, the defender, who is currently preparing for the European Championship with the Dutch Juniors, hardly got around to playing. He played only once for Brighton before the World Cup in Qatar and seemed to be on his way out. Arne Slot liked to see Van Hecke come to Feyenoord, but that transfer was canceled due to private circumstances. Towards the end of the season, De Zerbi was gradually convinced of his qualities and the club decided to extend his contract by one year, so now an extension and an upgrade can be added.

Van Hecke was taken over by Brighton from NAC Breda in 2020. The club from the south of England paid two million euros for the mandekker and then stole him in the Eredivisie at sc Heerenveen. After a successful period in Friesland, he was loaned out to Championship club Blackburn Rovers the following season, where he was even named player of the year. Last season he decided to go for his chance at Brighton and that seems to have paid off.