Bryan Linssen made the switch from Feyenoord to Urawa Red Diamonds last summer. The team from Rotterdam earned just over one million euros from the 32-year-old striker. Linssen played his entire career in the Netherlands and was therefore open to an adventure abroad.
“Arne Slot had indicated that my role at Feyenoord would probably remain the same as at the end of last season,” Linssen said. VoetbalPrimeur.nl. ”Feyenoord wanted to continue with Dessers, but that was not possible. Then they went looking for another striker. I got this chance meanwhile. I always wanted to go abroad. In addition, it was not unattractive financially, it is as simple as that. Knowing that I might play second fiddle at Feyenoord, I thought: I shouldn’t let this opportunity slip by.”
Although Linssen has little to complain about financially, it is still difficult for the attacker to settle down. “I am someone who likes fun and thrives in a good atmosphere in the dressing room. That is different here. The Japanese generally speak very poor English, so I do not have much contact with them in the way that we are used to in the Netherlands “It is very difficult for them to understand what I say in English. There is little football humor in the dressing room, except for the small group of Europeans. That goes very well and is great fun.”
The former Feyenoord player still has a contract for two seasons at Urawa Red Diamonds. A new adventure far from home already seems out of the question. “At the moment things are not going as I had hoped, partly due to last year’s injury. Then I couldn’t do anything for the club. Life outside is beautiful here, as we discussed. It’s just nice to experience, to see and to experience. It is also nice to experience a different football culture.” Linssen has not yet scored a goal in the competition. However, the right foot was accurate in the J-League Cup.
Do not complain
Outside of football, Linssen’s social life cannot be called spectacular. “I am alone a lot,” he says. “A lot of people will say that you shouldn’t complain because you earn enough. So sometimes I have to be careful with what I say. If you complain a little too much, you quickly create the idea in people that you are being pathetic. But I’m not pathetic at all. Sometimes it’s just lonely. And I think I’m not the only one who feels that way.”
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