Micky van de Ven

Micky van de Ven has quickly - literally - established himself as one of the best central defenders around since his arrival from VfL Wolfsburg in August, 2023 - and developed a central defensive partnership alongside Cuti Romero that is rated amongst the best in the Premier League.

However, it's for a magic moment Micky in 2024/25 will now always be remember by Spurs fans across the globe.

Leading 1-0 in the UEFA Europa League Final, 68 minutes on the clock, Guglielmo Vicario was hampered going for a cross, Rasmus Hojlund headed back towards goal, looping the ball over Vic, only for Micky to launch himself into an acrobatic goal-line clearance. We held on to win 1-0, secure the trophy and qualify for the Champions League.

That glorious end to the campaign must have made up in some way for what had been a frustrating season for the Netherlands international - a hamstring injury restricted him to two starts from November until March, but he was there when it mattered, partnering Cuti through the latter stages of our UEL triumph.

Micky made 21 appearances in all competitions in 2024/25, taking him to a half-century and ending the campaign on 51.

Born in Wormer, Netherlands, Micky spent his early years locally with WSV '30 Wormer, before joining FC Volendam’s youth team in July, 2013, progressing through the ranks to make a total of 48 senior appearances, scoring twice.

An athletic centre-back, he earned a move to Vfl Wolfsburg in August, 2021, and made 41 appearances for the Bundesliga side in all competitions, scoring once and registering three assists.

What a start to life for Micky in N17! The defender enjoyed a first campaign to remember in 2024/25, culminating in a clean sweep of Player of the Season awards, his senior international debut and a place in the Netherlands squad for Euro 2024 - and being clocked as the fastest player in the Premier League when he sprinted at 37.38km/h against Brentford on 31 January, 2024!

It wasn't all plain sailing for the defender, however, as he suffered a serious hamstring injury against Chelsea on 6 November that ruled him out for 10 weeks before his return against United at Old Trafford in January, 2024. Micky went on to make 29 appearances in all competitions, including 27 starts in the Premier League and three goals.

Micky opened his account with our winner at Luton in October before a belter to help us beat Forest in April, 2024 and another clinical finish as we toppled Burnley in May. His goal against Burnley came on the same day he was named Player of the Season by our Official Supporters' Club and One Hotspur Members.

At international level, Micky has featured for the Netherlands’ Under-21 side, featuring in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship in 2023. He was also named in the preliminary squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He made his senior Dutch debut against France and his performances in 2023/24 earned a place in the Netherlands squad for Euro 2024. At the end of 2024/25, Micky had 16 caps to his name.