Young Wests player earns Dutch trial

‘‘ Just will likely feature in practice matches for Zwolle's under-21 and under19 outfits and may complete training with the senior squad.’’

Dutch club PEC Zwolle struck the jackpot with All Whites star Ryan Thomas, now they hope another Kiwi footballer follows in his footsteps.

Western Suburbs 17-year-old Elijah Just arrived in the Netherlands on Friday and will spend a month on trial with the Eredivisie side.

Just, also a midfielder, was a member of the New Zealand under-17 World Cup side last year and is a product of the Ole Academy in Porirua, and Wests’ junior teams.

Dutch newspaper De Stentor reported Just will likely feature in practice matches for Zwolle’s under-21 and under-19 outfits and may complete training with the senior squad.

Thomas has proved a revelation for Zwolle since joining them in 2013 after impressing during a trial stint. He joined former All Whites Ivan Vicelich and Fred de Jong as other notable Kiwi players to have cracked the top Dutch league.

Thomas has been among the top performers in the Eredivisie and is tipped for a big money move over the summer. He has racked up over 100 games and won a Dutch Cup title in his five years with the team.

Clubs in Germany, France and Belgium have been reported to be interested as well as the top three clubs in the Netherlands.

Thomas has told local media he will stay at Zwolle for the remainder of the season with the time not right to move his young family. His Dutch partner Nikki gave birth to their first child, Lily Mae, on Christmas Eve.