Brighton and Hove Albion defender Jan Paul van Hecke has heaped praise on goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, labelling him a pleasure to play with.
[Voetbal Primeur cover comments](https://www.voetbalprimeur.nl/nieuws/1245640/jan-paul-van-hecke-looft-brighton-en-oranje-teamgenoot-bart-verbruggen.html) from the defender today made to ViaPlay, in which he lavishes praise on the goalkeeper as he continues to impress this season.
Verbruggen is now the undisputed number one for club and country, after spending last season battling to secure both positions under Roberto de Zerbi and Ronald Koeman.
The 22-year-old has more than proven worthy of the positions, with a series of impressive performances for Brighton so far this season and the same for the Netherlands during the last few international breaks.
It’s been a rapid rise for the goalkeeper, who only made his debut in the Jupiler Pro League for Anderlecht in December 2022.
Since then, it’s been nothing but growth and development, expediated by his €20m move to Brighton in July 2023.
The goalkeeper is now one of the hottest goalkeeping prospects in Europe and has already been linked with big moves to the likes of Bayern Munich.
Van Hecke plays alongside him for club and country and has certainly been left impressed by his teammate so far.
“Top goalkeeper,” he said.
“I think everyone sees his qualities and you really feel that when you play with him. He is very calm. They say that as a goalkeeper you always need a few more years to really be there, but I don’t think that is the case with Bart.
“You see how young he is and how good he already is. You can hardly catch him making mistakes. It is nice for every player to play with Bart.”