When asked about the €60 million transfer fee associated with his move, van Hecke shrugged off the figure with characteristic humility. «This is difficult to put into words. Above all, I’m happy for the financial benefit it brings to my former club and my youth academy. It’s not about the number—it doesn’t change who I am. I’m proud to be joining one of England’s elite clubs, but I remain grounded. My focus has always been on football, not on transfer valuations. »

A visible bruise under his eye did little to dampen his spirits as he sat beside coach Ronald Koeman during the press briefing. The mark, he clarified, had nothing to do with tactical disagreements. «My sole priority is this match against Sweden. The transfer has not distracted me—I’ve compartmentalized it entirely. Koeman gave me the space to handle the move properly, but once I stepped onto the pitch, it’s all about the Oranje. »

At 26, this is van Hecke’s first World Cup, and he’s eager to make his mark. The upcoming fixture against Sweden—featuring attackers Alexander Isak and Anthony Elanga Gyökeres, both familiar foes from his Premier League days—couldn’t have come at a more intense time. Yet, he insists his performance won’t waver. «This transfer is a giant leap forward. Playing for Tottenham boosts my confidence, and now I’m fully immersed in the Netherlands squad. It’s exhilarating to be here, and I hope we can go far in this tournament. »

His journey from NAC Breda’s youth ranks to the bright lights of the English Premier League reads like a fairy tale. The €60 million deal includes a 7.5% sell-on clause retained by his boyhood club, a stipulation agreed upon in 2020. That clause alone will net NAC Breda around €4.5 million, a windfall that van Hecke describes as «well-deserved for a club that shaped me. » Growing up in Arnemuiden, a coastal town in the Netherlands’ southern tip, he jokes that on clear days, he could almost see England across the water.