Luciano Valente was still called up for Jong Oranje on Friday for the upcoming European Championship in Slovakia. The FC Groningen midfielder replaces NEC player Dirk Proper, who is dropping out due to the after-effects of a head injury.
The 23-year-old Proper is still suffering too much from his head after his collision with teammate Koki Ogawa during the Eredivisie match against Willem II on May 3. The two NEC players collided head-on just before half-time.
Proper was treated on the field for minutes and taken away on a stretcher while conscious. The midfielder stayed in the hospital for a few days. NEC reported that the player had suffered a concussion from the incident.
Proper has not been in action for NEC since then. The midfielder must now also put a line through the European Championship. Proper is vice-captain of Jong Oranje and has played eleven internationals for the team.
National coach Michael Reiziger has chosen Valente as his replacement. The coveted FC Groningen talent made his debut in March during the won practice match against Italy (1-2). He has now played two matches for Jong Oranje.
Valente faces transfer
Valente can further play himself into the spotlight at the European Championship. After a good season at FC Groningen, the 21-year-old midfielder is attracting interest from numerous clubs, including Feyenoord. The youngster is said to have already reached a personal agreement with the Rotterdam team.
Jong Oranje starts the European Championship on June 12 with a match against Finland. Denmark (June 15) and Ukraine (June 18) are the other opponents in Group D.
Next week Friday, Jong Oranje will cross swords with their peers from Ivory Coast in the farewell match. Reiziger’s team will then play in the Euroborg, the home of Jong Oranje internationals Valente and Thom van Bergen.