A slim 17 year old boy with braces. This is how Jort Borgmans describes himself when he first trained with the selection of FC Eindhoven. Now at the age of 20 there is a completely different goalkeeper under the crossbar. “I have gained 17 kilos and am working on my appearance. For every percent that I can improve, I do my very best.”
He works hard, together with his goalkeeper coach. Jort has a goalkeeper coach in Hans Segers who has played goalkeeping at the highest level in England for many years. “A great man, just like his predecessor Maikel Aerts. I learn a lot from Hans and get tips to get started. Physical tests show that I am making a lot of progress. And also qualitatively I have become a better keeper. Balls that I didn’t grab three years ago, I have now. Clamp tight.”
“A signal to my team that someone is really there.”
Keepers in a squad are generally a bit crazy. Throwing yourself full for a hard shot or punching a ball away in the crowd is not always without danger. According to Jort, it is not only important for a goalkeeper to distinguish yourself with feline saves, but also with your appearance.
“When I made my debut I weighed 60 kilos and I had a narrow, youthful face. I have gained 17 kilos through a lot of strength training and I’m not there yet. A big, strong keeper is a signal to my own team that there really is someone under the bar, but also towards opponents: that there is nothing to achieve.”
Appearance goes beyond just a muscular chest, broad arms and powerful legs. “Also, for example, colored clothing, it all counts. I now have white shoes, which radiate much more than the black I started with. We even pay attention to the color on the inside of my gloves, which can affect the opponent. I am also working on these kinds of details every day.”
“FC Eindhoven is ambitious and is being acted upon.”
Jort made his debut in professional football when he was just 18. In the following two seasons, he only played one game. This season, Jorn Brondeel is FC Eindhoven’s first goalkeeper. But he got injured, so Jort played against Willem II (as a substitute) and NAC Breda.
The player from Brabant made an impression in these two duels. Nevertheless, there is a chance that trainer Willem Weijs will choose Brondeel again if the Belgian goalkeeper is fit. “That’s right, I have no influence on it. I can only look at my own game and know that I’m getting the most out of it every day. If you look at where I come from, I’ve made huge strides. From amateur football at SV Valkenswaard to FC Eindhoven, where I am now a professional football player. I am very proud and very grateful to all the people who help me.”
First or second goalkeeper, Jort feels at home at FC Eindhoven. “I am happy to be part of this close-knit team. It is significant how the players react when I make a good save and vice versa with a good defensive action. We are a team where everyone gives maximum.”