Both West Ham and VVV-Venlo are happy with their partnership arrangement a year into the agreement.
As part of the deal, last Winter the Venlo first-team travelled to London to join the Hammers in a week-long training camp, while West Ham sent their Development Squad to partake in a similar training camp with Venlo earlier this summer.
The objective of the agreement is to ascertain links between the two clubs and create a network where players can be sent between clubs for first-team experience, and possibly even secure the first refusal on future transfers – much like the deal between Chelsea and Vitesse Arnhem or Manchester City and NAC Breda.
Venlo’s Director of Football Stan Valckx has spoken about the arrangement and how he’s happy with its progression over the last year.
“The partnership goes beyond just the first team, because it’s affecting the youth team and on a commercial level, there are mutual benefits.” Valckx said.
Club chief Marco Boogers (no, not that Marco Boogers) has also had his say on the links between the two clubs, and he is also pleased with the progress.
“It’s important for West Ham that players can develop in another country. For us, it’s important that we get to the highest division in Holland, so it works out for both of us.
“I saw the development of Sam (Westley) over the year last season, both as a player and off the pitch. He was out of his comfort zone, and it’s also good for other players. We have good staff to do that, and the circumstances are OK for it.
“We discuss with Terry (Westley), every week, about more potential players coming over, but of course it depends on a lot of things. We hope that we can get two players from West Ham for next season!”
Unfortunately for Boogers and Valckx, there will be no West Ham player joining Venlo on loan this summer like Sam Westley did last year. However, they remain confident of recruiting a couple of Hammers in the January window.
“This transfer period we were hoping for one or two players (from West Ham) for our first team, but that’s unfortunately not happening. That’s unfortunate, but nothing more than that. We keep in close consultation with each other and perhaps there are possibilities in the winter transfer period.” Valckx said.
West Ham’s Head of Youth Development Terry Westley has revealed plans for the Venlo youth team to travel to London this season and partake in a few sessions with the Hammers’ Development Squad which will be beneficial for both parties.
“This season we intend to exchange experiences in our youth programs. So Roger Bongaerts (Head of Training of VVV Venlo) comes with some youth coaches London.” He said.
Westley reaffirmed the comments from Valckx about possible loan moves for some young Hammers to Venlo, and cited injuries and Europa League commitments as the reason for blocked transfers.
“Unfortunately, this time we were unable to send one or more players to Venlo, partly because of injuries to our first team and the schedule in the Europa League.”
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