Roberts takes up Dutch contract

The 23-year-old Roberts who impressed during the recent Digicel Caribbean Cup while playing up front for Trinidad and Tobago, agreed to his new contract with Holland’s oldest professional club last month. But he only left for Europe on Tuesday after obtaining his work permit the previous day.

His deal was done through the efforts of MLF Sports with agent Heather MacKenzie involved and she was also there to ensure his arrival was smooth.

Roberts said he was looking forward to his first session with the Reserve team today but has been told by the club’s coach Willjen Rooulet that he will be in line for selection for the first team which has eight matches to go in the current season.

“I arrived today and things have gone smoothly so far. I have my first training session in the morning and that’s when things really start kicking,” Roberts said yesterday.

“The welcome was a warm one and now it’s a matter of settling at the club itself. The manager wants to see how well I fit in. They have eight more matches this season and I think my selection will depend on how I perform in the training sessions.

“There will be a eleven versus eleven tomorrow and the coaches will be looking on. I know I have to perform to make the first team,” added Roberts.

The ex-Fatima College player recently turned down a draft pick with new MLS team Toronto FC. The former Malta Carib Alcons trainee and Liberty College striker said the first breakthrough for him was getting into the European scene as he sees it as a step-up in term of the level of preparations he expects to undergo.

“Right now it’s also about gaining experience for me. I am willing to work hard and see what happens from there. Just getting into a club like this in Europe is a good step. It’s a first step for me and I know there will be a lot more to go “he said. He is expected to be given his shirt number later this week.

Roberts also comes from family with a sporting background. His grandfather Roland Cleveland played football with Cyclones and also refereed in Arima. His father Wayne Roberts was also an avid footballer and his mother Cheryl is a former netballer and current physical education teacher at St Joseph’s Convent, St Joseph.

Sparta has won six Dutch National titles and the Cups. It was founded in 1887 and turned to football a year later after several ex-members of the old Sparta founded a cricket club with the same name.