Why my move to Willem II was more than just a transfer
After my first season in the Netherlands, everything seemed to be falling into place. I had adapted to a new country, a different style of play and completely new surroundings. On the pitch, I was starting to find my feet, and off it, I felt more and more at home. Yet that same season also showed me another side of professional sport.
Because although things were going well for me personally, we were relegated with FC Wageningen.
And that was when the real process began.
Not physically.
Not in terms of my football.
But within myself.
When feelings and ambition collide
Relegation suddenly threw everything wide open again. Decisions you would rather put off were suddenly staring you in the face. And that is exactly what makes professional sport so confronting.
On the one hand, I was really happy in Wageningen.
I had genuinely built something there.
Friendships.
Trust.
A place where I could be myself.
Those are not things you simply walk away from.
But at the same time, I felt something else too. Something that grew stronger once the season was over.
The question that kept coming back was simple, but everything hinged on it:
👉 What do I choose for my future?
Daring to be honest with yourself
Looking back now, this was one of the most honest moments of my career. You can tell yourself all sorts of things, but deep down, you often know exactly how you feel.
And my feelings were clear.
I had no desire to play second-tier football. I wanted to keep developing. That was why I had come to the Netherlands!
I had had a good season: thirteen goals, no games missed through injury, and I had shown that I could adapt to Dutch football.
From day one, I had set myself a goal: I wanted to see how far I could go in the Netherlands.
And at a moment like that, you have to ask yourself:
👉 Does this situation still fit with where I want to go?
The nerves that come with a real choice
What many people do not see is that this is not purely a rational decision. It is not a simple calculation of opportunities and statistics.
It is a process in which feelings and ambition collide.
You leave behind somewhere you feel happy.
Where people believe in you.
Where you have made memories.
And yet you know:
👉 If I stay here, I might stay at the same level too
That realisation makes it daunting. Because growing is not just about moving towards something.
It also means leaving something behind.
Then Willem II came along
That was when Willem II came into the picture.
And sometimes you know straight away: this is right for me, right now.
Through Nol de Ruiter, I got talking to manager Bert Jacobs. That conversation gave me exactly the reassurance I needed to confirm my decision.
This was not a step backwards.
This was not the safe option.
👉 This was a step forwards
Willem II offered me an environment in which I could keep developing. A higher level, a fresh challenge and a manager who looked beyond the here and now.
Some clubs give you playing time.
Others give you a future to work towards.
For me, Willem II was the latter.
What I learnt from this
That period taught me a few things that I still carry with me:
• Growth requires honesty with yourself
• Good performances give you options, but not direction
• The right choice often feels daunting, not comfortable
• Your development depends on the environment you choose
• Sometimes you have to let go of something good to become better
What you can learn from this as a player
There is an important lesson here for young players:
• Talent opens the door, but choices determine your path
• Do not just ask yourself where you can play, but where you can grow
• Dare to look beyond security or familiar surroundings
• Be honest about your ambition: do you want to take part or keep progressing?
• Understand that real steps forward often come with doubts
Your next goal
Are you at a crossroads in your development?
Then this might be the most important question you can ask yourself:
👉 Do I choose what feels good…
👉 Or do I choose what will take me further?
Because that is where the difference lies.
Not in talent.
Not in luck.
But in the choices you make when things get daunting.
🎙️ Want more honest stories and lessons like this from professional football?
Explore the podcast and blogs here:
👉 https://robmcpro.com/basiskwaliteiten/waarom-the-next-goal/
FAQ (SEO)
Why did Rob not want to play in the second tier?
Because he felt he had more to achieve in his development and wanted to keep challenging himself at a higher level after a strong season.
Why was Willem II the right move?
Because the club matched his ambition, offered him a higher level and provided an environment in which he could keep developing.
What makes a transfer difficult?
It is not just the footballing decision, but above all leaving behind familiar surroundings and people.
Which matters more: talent or choices?
Talent opens the door, but the choices you make determine how far you go.