Professional Dutch Football Club VVV-Venlo Sign Toddler On 10 Year Contract

I have heard of youth academy systems, but Dutch top division football club VVV-Venlo have signed a toddler on a 10 year contract based on skills shown on a YouTube video. This is crazy, but shows the power of YouTube. The 18 month old Baekre van der Meij's grandfather also played for the club. It is a fully fledged professional team in the Dutch top division, but they are struggling towards the bottom of the league. Is this a publicity stunt? Is this kid a future superstar? We will find out in about 20 years. Or is this video a hoax like the All Blacks training videos? Can any other kids that young kick balls into a target? I don't even think I was walking at that age!

That video has quickly gained over one million views on YouTube and young Baekre van der Meij has quickly become a star.

So much so, in fact, that he's the latest player to be signed by a club on the back of online videos.

Yep - Dutch club VVV-Venlo (who play in the top division) have announced the signing of the toddler on a 10-year professional contract.

Now before you wonder what the world has come to the contract has been described as 'symbolic'.

Which means this is just a stunt to try and get people to pay attention to the relegation-threatened club.

There's a long connection between the club and the van der Meij family - Baekre's grandfather played for the club.

But it's still brilliant that young Baekre joined midfielder Ken Leemans in a training session at the stadium before signing the contract.

"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," the press release said.

http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/opinions/show/2478785/dutch-club-signs-1-year-old-footballer/