The son of Robin van Persie signed his first professional contract with Feyenoord on Monday. Shaqueel van Persie signed a three-year contract in De Kuip.
Fifteen-year-old Van Persie has been part of Feyenoord’s youth academy since the summer of 2017. The attacker currently plays in Feyenoord under 16, which is led by former professional football player Brian Pinas. He is also captain there. Robin van Persie is an assistant to that team.
“Because I have been with the club since I was ten years old, this day is extra special for me,” said Shaqueel van Persie after signing the contract. “Feyenoord feels like a kind of second home to me. The supporters, the stadium, everything is just beautiful here. My dream is ultimately to play in De Kuip and do well there.”
According to head of youth academy Rini Coolen, Van Persie has enforced the professional contract himself. “As a club, we are very satisfied with the development that Shaqueel is going through at Feyenoord. He is insightfully strong, has an excellent winning mentality, easily scores goals and shows that he is a real leader during training and matches.”
Robin van Persie played ten years for Feyenoord spread over two periods. With fifty international goals, the former striker of Arsenal, Manchester United and Fenerbahçe is the all-time top scorer in the Dutch national team. A year after his retirement in 2019, he became a striker trainer at Feyenoord. He has also been active in the youth academy since this season.