Soccer Team Signs One-Year-Old After Audition Goes Viral

Barry PetcheskyBarry Petchesky|published: Fri 29th April, 11:55 2011

Maybe you're one of the three-plus million folks who saw Baerke van der Meij putting away his toys with some well-placed boots. Adorable, right? Dutch Eredivise side VVV saw it too, and saw a future strike.

They've signed young Baerke to a long-term deal, and invited him to the arena for a training session.


"The toddler's favourite position has not yet been determined. However, we can speak of a right-footed player with a very good kicking technique, perseverance and, importantly: football genes via his grandfather (a former professional soccer player)," said a VVV Venlo press release.

The contract is only symbolic and a nice little gesture, and it expires when he's 11 year old — right around the age that most of us started to grasp that we were never going to be pro athletes.

D utch footballer signed to professional contract - aged one [Telegraph]

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