The centre-back left NAC Breda for Albion in 2020, but he didn't make his debut until August 2022, and his breakout season only came in 2023/24.
Since then, the 25-year-old has been a regular in Albion's defence, which has led to ["contact" from English sides](https://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/25436950.brighton-ace-reveals-transfer-interest-spurs-newcastle-links/) over the course of the summer.
Now, fellow Dutchman Verbruggen has heaped praise on the defender, who had loan spells at Heerenveen and Blackburn Rovers between 2020-22, for his professionalism and patience in what has been a steady rise to this point.
In the pre-match Manchester City programme notes, the goalkeeper said: "I wasn't shocked by Jan Paul getting the move to Brighton.
"He went on loan straight after - I think it's one of the pathways you see more often now, as well as here at Brighton, signing for a big team and then going out on loan.
"I've always been a fan of him as a player and as a person. I wasn't surprised when he left, I could understand what a big team would see in him.
"If you see how his career worked out, I think all credit to him. He has taken the right steps at the right time and always had the right attitude and the right mentality.
"If you have those things, then the quality will take care of itself. But I think he maybe even surprised some people with how well he is doing now."
This comes at a time when Van Hecke, whose contract expires in 2027, has been linked with Newcastle United and Tottenham, and [Liverpool are said to be considering a move](https://www.teamtalk.com/news/reds-contenders-steal-brighton-star-damaging-raid-marc-guehi-alternative) for the Netherlands international next year.
Incidentally, Verbruggen began his career at NAC Breda but left for Anderlecht in 2019 after failing to break into the Dutch side's first team. Van Hecke played 16 times for Breda before joining Albion just over five years ago.