STRANGE BEGINNINGS

This coming January will mark one year since STEVEN BERGWIJN swapped his native Netherlands for north London - and what an unusual first 12 months it has been in N17 for the Dutch forward.

- Liam Carson

Strange is the word Steven Bergwijn chose to describe his first year at Spurs – an assessment that would be difficult to argue against.

The year 2020 had started off so well for Steven. In January, the Dutch winger swapped his homeland of Holland for north London to join us on a five-year contract from Eredivisie side PSV Eindhoven.

Electing to wear the number 23 shirt, he immediately made his presence in N17 known as he got off to a flyer on his debut. Making his first appearance for us in our 2-0 win against then reigning league champions Manchester City at the start of February, Steven opened the scoring on 63 minutes with a strike that no Spurs fan will forget in a hurry.

After being picked out in the box by an exquisite chipped pass from Lucas Moura, the Dutchman gracefully controlled the ball on his chest before lashing home on the volley – cue delirium in the stands. What an impact!

He then added a second goal in our colours at home against Wolves in March before his progress was unfortunately derailed six days later as he picked up an ankle injury against Burnley. Yet, just a week later, the football season itself was suspended in an almost unprecedented turn of events as the world moved together to combat the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bringing about a period of isolation as we headed into a national lockdown, it was a worrying time globally. However, amidst those difficulties, there was a moment of joy for Steven as he welcomed his first-born child into the world in April.