My dad’s a former undercover agent turned TV star who’s famous back home while I fight for a Premier League title
MICKY VAN DE VEN’S father Marcel is a famous former undercover agent turned TV star in the Netherlands.
Van de Ven, 22, is on the path to stardom in England after a brilliant start to life at Tottenham.
Instagram @marcel.v.d.venMarcel van de Ven is Tottenham star Micky’s dad[/caption]
Twitter @ESPNUKThe former undercover agent is a TV star on Dutch show Hunted[/caption]
His form for the Prem table toppers recently earned him an international debut for the Dutch national team.
But he may still have a fair way to go to usurp the fame of his dad in his homeland.
Marcel van de Ven worked as an undercover agent in a secret unit responsible for fighting major crimes.
He later transitioned to TV work, becoming the lead detective on Dutch series “Hunted”.
On the reality show, a team of experts are tasked with tracking down “fugitives” on the run.
His popularity has also seen him pen an autobiography.
Such is the demand that the book has become a bestseller.
His son has quickly become one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League, but things haven’t always gone so smoothly.
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Van de Ven, 22, has had a brilliant start to life at SpursRex
Last month, Van de Ven spoke of how his father’s words of encouragement helped him when it looked like he may be released by second-tier Dutch side Volendam.
He told the PA: “My dad [Marcel] helped me also a lot at Volendam.
“It was a difficult situation for me because when people say they don’t trust you when you are 17-years-old, maybe you have to look for work or something.
“You have to have a second choice if you can’t make it to be a professional football player and you have to switch.
“I said to my dad, ‘maybe I have to work,’ and he was like, ‘no! Trust me. One day a person will come, you will get your chance and grab it’.
“So, I kept working, pushing, pushing, pushing and there was the chance and I grabbed it.”
After breaking into Volendam’s first team, Van de Ven earned a £3.15million move to Wolfsburg in 2021.
Following two years in the Bundesliga, the 6ft 4in ace moved to Tottenham in a £43m switch.
He has played every minute in all competitions so far this season, and even scored the winning goal against Luton.
Van de Ven became a full Dutch international earlier this month, featuring in matches against France and Greece.
Instagram @marcel.v.d.venDad Marcel has been a big influence on defender Van de Ven[/caption]
Instagram @marcel.v.d.venVan de Ven’s dad supported him through difficult spells earlier in his career[/caption]
