Van Hecke: I've enjoyed a perfect pathway

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Defender had two successful loan spells before breaking into our first team.

2024-08-23T22:30+01:00

Jan Paul van Hecke established himself last season after two successful loan spells.

Jan Paul van Hecke believes he’s had the perfect pathway into our first-team squad.

The Dutch under-21 defender joined the club four years ago and was immediately loaned out to Heerenveen, for whom he made 28 appearances.

He returned to England and spent the season with Blackburn Rovers in the Championship where he became the first loan signing in their history to win the player of the year award.

Two years ago, he made his Premier League debut against Leeds United and established himself last season when he made 30 appearances across all competitions. His rise has followed a similar trajectory to Ben White, who had loan spells in all three EFL divisions before becoming a first-team regular with Albion.

‘I'm not sure it always works like this in football but for me the plan was perfect,” said van Hecke. “I remember when I was 18 the club said to me: “First to the Dutch League, then to the Championship, then one year in the Premier League to adapt, and then being a player for us regularly starting." I was like, “Yeah, nice story,” How can you plan for four years? But to be fair, it worked out.

Jan Paul van Hecke clears his lines against Everton last Saturday when he helped keep a clean sheet. Photo: James Boardman.

‘That's why I always say now to other young players, “Go to a club with a good plan and a good vision like Brighton.” They can show you [it works] as they did it before. When I was at that age, it was Ben White. He went to lower leagues (Newport in League Two, Peterborough in League One, Leeds in the Championship) then back to Brighton and then to Arsenal. They showed me his plan.

“It’s great. I have come a long way, like a lot of players. I went two times on loan, played a lot, improved myself and then, two seasons ago, I came in on the bench to see how it is in the Premier League.

“Then last season I played almost every game. I had a good season and hopefully I can build on that. I feel better than ever now. I’ve got a lot of confidence. I’m happy with the new manager, he’s doing amazing. Hopefully we can build and nice things will come.”

Van Hecke has been impressed with head coach Fabian Hurzeler and believes his style of play is ‘more dynamic.’

“His own details are a bit different. You could see it's not totally opposite from what we have been playing but I think it’s more dynamic, it's really counter-pressing so if you lose the ball you need to be compact, close to the ball. And you need to run. You need to have the energy to play for him. We have the players to do that. It’s a good combination and I'm looking forward to the rest of the season.

“I feel there's a real togetherness and there's also a lot of quality on the pitch. Everyone is fit and with a few new players, a new manager, new style, hopefully we can have a good season.”