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Dutch club sign 1-year-old child on 10-year contract

(Agencies/chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2011-05-06 15:33

The 18-month-old toddler Baerke van der Meij (C) is pictured after the Dutch club VVV-Venlo signs him on a 10-year contract in the Netherlands, May 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

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A Dutch club have signed an 18-month-old toddler to a 10-year contract after seeing his amazing football skills on YouTube.

Dutch club VVV-Venlo snapped up young Baerke van der Meij after seeing him kick footballs with amazing accuracy into his toy box.

The club even held a press conference where the toddler signed a contract (with a little help from his dad) and dressed up in the shirt of the top flight Dutch club.

It was a fantastic publicity stunt from VVV-Venlo, who have got a worldwide story on their hands, although they did admit that the contract was merely "symbolic".

The Van der Meij family has close links with the club, with Baerke's grandfather having played for the club in the past.

"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," read a VVV-Venlo press release.

Reports that Arsene Wenger made a late bid to bring Baerke to Arsenal with the promise of first-team football are as yet unconfirmed.