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VAN DER VENNE FINDS HOME AWAY FROM HOME AT CITY
Quickly becoming a fan favourite, Richard van der Venne continues to go from strength to strength in his first season down under.
The key behind van der Venne’s success is the happiness he’s found not only on the pitch but from settling with his young family in their new lives in Melbourne.
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After arriving from the Netherlands as a free agent, the former Go Ahead Eagles and RKC Waalwijk player has quickly stamped his authority on the league, registering five goals and five assists already this season.
van der Venne said he’s felt embraced by his new club and is enjoying his new life in Australia both on and off the field.
“I was a free agent in the summer and I just had a feeling that this was the moment to make a move,” van der Venne said, “I spoke to my wife and she was very supportive and said ‘let’s go then.”
“My teammates and coaches were really happy that I was here and that I signed with the club, so everyone helped to make me feel welcome.
Under Rado Vidosic, van der Venne has played on both the right and left-hand sides of the midfield, ultimately doing whatever is required to best help the team.
While he’s a natural No.8, van der Venne offers Vidosic plenty of options given he can also fill the No.10 role, something he became accustomed to in his time in the Eredivisie.
“It all depends on the opponent that I am playing as to whether I’m switching from the right or the left, but for me, it doesn’t matter which side I play.” van der Venne said that while any new move brings its own set of challenges, he feels his role in the team and City’s style of play suits his natural game.
Since cracking the starting XI van der Venne hasn’t looked back, providing plenty of highlights this season, none more so than his hattrick against Macarthur.
“There is a big difference in physicality here in Australia,” he said, “The physical style of the A-League is a little bit more than that of the Eredivisie. I’m really liking playing in Australia, my physicality and conditioning I think fit into the playing style and as a result, I think it suits me very well.”
