HIS name might not roll off the tongue like some of his teammates, but Doncaster Rovers' Dutch defender Jos van Nieuwstadt hopes that it won't take long for supporters to start singing his praises.
The 28-year-old centre-back certainly made a big impression on fans, some of whom have dubbed him "Hoff" because of a perceived likeness to former Baywatch star David Hasselhoff, in the two trial games he played.
He turned out against Newcastle and Morecambe.
Rovers might be van Nieuwstadt's first English club but he is no stranger to the English game.
"I always watched Match of the Day when I was young and I always enjoyed it," he said.
"I am honoured to play here and I am really looking forward to it. For Dutch people England is the country where football was invented
"There is a real good spirit in England; people live for football and it is not like that in Holland.
"My family are very proud about me moving here because back home England is regarded as being a big football country.
"It was a good move. I had a transfer free status at Excelsior Rotterdam after two fine years there. I was looking for a new adventure and that dream has come true.
"It will be exciting for a lot of players at the club because the Championship is brand new for a lot of them but I have confidence that we will do fine.
"I've got a good impression of the club since I have been here.
"The training ground, the facilities and the food is good so everything that you need to play football at a high level is here and available so it is up to the players. The club wants to play football. We have a good midfield and in the games I played in we tried to play football.
"Of course, sometimes you just have to kick the ball long and battle up front and keep it tight at the back.
"But when it is possible I want to play football. I like to play the ball on the ground and find a solution.
"It is still all new to me but I will try my best. Hopefully we can get off to a winning start at Derby."
Doncaster Rovers: Preview for the season, including ins and outs and squad numbers. Don't miss Saturday's Green'Un newspaperWhat do you think? Post your comments below. READ MORE Football headlinesMore BladesMore OwlsMore SpireitesMore RoversMore RedsMore MillersMore Ice HockeyMore rugby leagueMore rugby unionMore boxingSports columnistsAll sport categoriesThe full article contains 446 words and appears in Sheffield Star newspaper.
