Joey Veerman: “Dortmund move is right step for me” | OneFootball

Joey Veerman explains his reasons for choosing Borussia Dortmund after five seasons with PSV. The Dutch midfielder also shared his first impression of the Bundesliga in his exclusive interview with the Bundesliga (DFL).

“I had a few options before,” Veerman said about the timing of his transfer. “For me, that was not the right moment because I had a good time at Eindhoven for five seasons. Then, Dortmund came, and that was the right step for me.”

The 27-year-old continued his explanation as he went through the differences between PSV and Borussia Dortmund. “I chose Dortmund because it's a very big club. That's what I like. It's very intense here. For example, how Hoffenheim pressed us was different to the Eredivisie."

The Volendam-born midfielder settled well into his life in Dortmund. Despite the late timing of the move, he already started for his new club in all three tournaments, including in back-to-back games against Villarreal and Paderborn.

“My family and my friends are living in Volendam. Now I am in Germany, it's difficult to go back often,” Veerman explained his first days in Germany to DFL. “I think it's been six weeks since the last time I was in Volendam. Maybe, in a few weeks, I’ll go back to see my friends and family."

The 16-time Netherlands international prefers to spend most of his time at home in Dortmund. “I just stayed in the house with my girlfriend and my two kids. We found a house after a few days already. So the first impressions have been very good for me."

Veerman pointed to the performance against Villarreal as to how he wants Niko Kovac’s team to play. He also shared what it feels like to play in front of the Yellow Wall. “When you come on for the warm-up, with the fans singing very loudly, then you get goosebumps."

Dortmund will face Stuttgart away from home in this week's Topspiel. Veerman will then join the Netherlands squad for the start of the UEFA Nations League. The new Dutch national team coach Xavi will start his spell at home against Jürgen Klopp's Germany.