After extending his contract with Tottenham, Van de Ven spoke to the club’s official media, discussing his decision to re-sign.

Why is today so special? Does it feel any different? What feelings, especially, did you come here with today?

Obviously, today is a special day because I signed a new deal. I'm really excited and very happy. I wouldn't say it's a completely different feeling because it feels like home here, so it's more like renewing at home. I would say it's just a very natural feeling. But what I deeply feel is the trust the club has in me and the trust the coach has in me. At the same time, my trust in the club is also extremely special, and this mutual trust brings a wonderful feeling, letting me know that I can play here for many years. Now I just want to enjoy all of this; today is a great day for me and my family.

Yes, they are all excited and happy for me, and proud of me too. Everyone will come over later to be with me during this special moment, and everyone is very happy.

As observers, it is often difficult for us to truly understand what life is like inside the club. So, what is the current situation? How do you feel?

It's fantastic. I'm really enjoying it, especially with the arrival of the new coach, his football philosophy and his playing style. Plus, the new players who have joined are all extremely talented individuals—top players, in fact—so I'm really enjoying it. Yes, I have a great relationship with the coach. We talk often, especially last season, and I think it will be the same this season. All in all, I have a very good relationship with the coach.

I remember when you first arrived. Everything was new to you, and you seemed a bit nervous as you tried to adapt to your new environment. But now, you seem completely at ease.

Yes, I’ve fully settled in. It feels like home here. Every day, I look forward to going to the training ground, and I enjoy being with my teammates, the staff, and everyone here. So, I really enjoy being here, and I’m completely settled now.

Naturally, everyone wants to know the answer to this question: What makes you feel that this is the best place for you, and what vision makes you believe that your future belongs here?

I have always loved Tottenham. From the first day I arrived here, I have always enjoyed it. I love this club, I love the fans, I love the stadium, I love everything about it. I think I have developed very well here, played many games, and hope to play more in the future. I think with the new coach, you can see the direction the club wants to go in. I am very excited about the future and I just want to be a part of it.

Did you expect all of this to happen so quickly? It feels like you came here, signed, and then in the blink of an eye became an indispensable part of the club. Did you ever think it would happen this fast?

No, not at all. Obviously, when you move from another club, you just hope to settle in well at a big club like Tottenham in the Premier League. But, indeed, everything happened very quickly. From the first day I arrived, I played in many games. Since then, a special bond has developed between me and the club.

I feel that when I first arrived, I was more of a young boy, without much life experience. Although I had lived independently for two years before that, I still did not have much social experience. But now the situation is completely different; I would say I am more like a mature man now.

So, are you a leader now?

Yes, without a doubt, I am more of a leader than before.

How did this happen? Where did this change come from?

I think it also depends on how you feel within the team, like feeling safe and getting along well with your teammates. Having confidence in yourself and being able to show that confidence to your teammates, and everyone being willing to listen to me, while I also listen to everyone’s ideas. So, it’s a cumulative process, and of course, it’s inseparable from that sense of belonging you have in the team, in the collective.

Roberto De Zerbi once described you as one of the best defenders in the league. What level are you aiming for now, and what are your next goals?

Personally, I just want to keep performing well and stay healthy. I want to help the team as much as I can. From a team perspective, we obviously want to win more. We want to win the Europa League now, and I want to win more trophies with this club. There's always room for improvement, so I definitely still have areas to work on. Working hard every day and listening to those who understand football and know what they're talking about, I think, can help me improve every day. It's about keeping working hard and wanting to be a better player than yesterday every day.

I think the next few years could bring a mix of rapid change and new opportunities. Technology will likely become even more integrated into daily life, making work, communication, and creativity faster and more connected. At the same time, people may place more value on balance, trust, and human relationships as things move increasingly online. I imagine a future shaped by adaptation: new tools, new habits, and new ways of thinking. Some challenges will remain, but I think there will also be more room for innovation, collaboration, and personal growth.

Hopefully, years full of success and healthy years—I think that's the most important thing—accompanied by a lot of happiness, and I hope the fans are happy too.

So, talk about your connection with the fans. This is not only a new journey for you personally, but I think it also marks the beginning of a new journey with them, and a great opportunity to continue deepening that bond.

Yes, I think I have a very good relationship with the fans. I will always give 100% for this club, and I care about everything here, including our situation last season and everything that happens at the club. I love the fans here, especially seeing them stand firmly behind us during our difficult period last season. I hope we can build on this and create some beautiful memories together.

Yeah, and you're one of the lucky ones. At the end of the game, you get to have the fans sing a special song for you in unison. I'm incredibly jealous! I imagine that, when you're standing there and walking toward the South Stand, that feeling must make you feel invincible.

Yes, every time that happens, I can't help but smile. When so many people chant your name in unison, it's truly a powerful thing, and the feeling is very special. Not just for me, but for my family, who are in the stadium at the time as well. So, yes, every time they do it, it's an incredibly beautiful feeling.

I hadn’t thought of that. Imagine your parents sitting in the stands, thinking, “That’s our boy!” Or your sister gasping, “OMG, they’re singing about my brother!” What must that be like for them?

Yes, they always tell me about it, and they record it every time, over and over again. They never seem to get tired of watching it, always capturing it on camera. Of course, I don't know exactly what they're like in the stands because I'm on the field, but they must have big smiles on their faces too.

That’s great. After all this time, they’re still recording and still keeping that excitement. And North London? You mentioned it’s starting to feel a bit like home. What’s life like outside of football? Do you feel settled outside of football?

Yes, I love this city. I really enjoy living here. My family also visits often because they love the city too. So, I’ve adapted very well. I like the city, I like the neighborhood I live in, I like the people around me, and everything is settling in very smoothly.

Outside of football, how do you hope to grow as a person?

I just want to be myself. Of course, I hope to become more mature, and I also hope to be more of a leader off the pitch. These are things you learn from the club and can take into life. But, above all, I hope to stay healthy and enjoy life outside football, with my family, friends, and everyone I love.

As for this current season, we’re at the point where everything is kicking off. Looking around, you think the coach is excellent, the atmosphere in the team is very warm right now, and it feels like this team has everything it needs. As a player, do you feel the same way?

Yes, the atmosphere is indeed different now. Everyone is very positive and very clear, especially with the introduction of many high-quality players, plus the coach's outstanding abilities—I think he proved that in the last few games of last season. So the atmosphere within the team is extremely good, and now it's up to us to prove on the field that the good atmosphere we show off the field can also bear fruit on the field.

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