Leeds United completed their sixth signing of the summer transfer window on Tuesday, securing the services of former Ajax goalkeeper Dani van den Heuvel on a free transfer.
The 17-year-old shot-stopper, who left Ajax earlier this year, has put pen to paper on a three-year deal, ensuring he will remain at Elland Road until the summer of 2023.
van den Heuvel, who has been capped four times by the Netherlands at Under-17 level, will link up with the Under-23s before looking to push on and make the step-up to the first-team.
The Dutchman has become the fourth youth prospect to arrive at Elland Road this summer, following in the footsteps of Fulham defender Cody Dramah, Charlie Allen from Linfield and highly-rated striker Joe Gelhardt, who has signed from Wigan Athletic.
Though van den Heuvel is not expected to be lining up in between the sticks for Marcelo Bielsa's side anytime soon, with the likes of Illan Meslier, who made his loan switch from FC Lorient permanent earlier this summer, and Kiko Casilla ahead of him in the pecking order, the youngster has already made it very clear to Leeds' fans that he understands the culture of the club.
Shortly after the Whites announced his arrival on Tuesday evening, van den Heuvel, who will be relishing the competition with fellow young shot-stopper Elia Caprile, another young goalkeeper that has joined the club this year, took to Instagram to confirm his arrival, expressing his excitement about arriving in the Premier League.
As well as that, van den Heuvel also repeated a historic quote that was first laid out by club legend Billy Bremner, saying: "Side before self, every time."
In full, van den Heuvel said: "Today, a new chapter starts in my football journey, at a massive club - Leeds United.
"I'm excited to play for such a wonderful club with an impressive history and great ambitions. And I am grateful for the confidence the staff have in me and to be able to keep challenging myself at this club.
"This is the beginning of a new adventure and I can't thank my family enough for supporting me all those years.
"Side before self, every time."
Though the chances of van den Heuvel forcing himself into Bielsa's first-team plans in the near future are slim, he will be relishing the prospect of playing some part in Leeds' EFL Trophy campaign.
After the club's academy was recently granted Category One Status, the Whites' Under-21s will feature in the competition during the 2020/21 season, meaning van den Heuvel may be handed the chance to impress in competitive action against some League One and Two sides.
The draw for the group stage of the competition was made on Tuesday afternoon and Leeds were drawn into Group G, facing League One sides Accrington Stanley and Blackpool, as well as EFL newboys Barrow.
