Dutch football club VVV 'signs up' hat-trick toddler
A Dutch football club has awarded a toddler a symbolic 10-year contract after watching video of him scoring a hat trick into his toy box.
When Baerke van der Meij, one and a half, drove three balls into the box one after another, his father Jorg posted the video on YouTube.
VVV, the club in the south-eastern town of Venlo where the family live, invited Baerke for a "trial".
They were doubly impressed by the fact his grandfather had played for VVV.
"Baerke did his best to amaze professional footballer Ken Leemans with his football techniques," the club said.
"One can speak of a right-footed player with a very good kick technique, perseverance and, importantly, football genes of grandfather Jan van der Meij."
Importantly, too, the little Dutchman can shout "bal" (English: ball).
The signing of the contract, with a little help from Jorg, was toasted with a glass of orange juice.
The video originally posted on YouTube has been viewed at least 1.67m times.