16-year-old defender that idolises van Dijk explains why rejected Tottenham in the summer

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Callum Flatman has told the Edinburgh Evening News that he decided to rejected Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur in order to join Scottish Championship side Hearts in the summer – despite a week on trial at Spurs.

Tottenham enjoyed an excellent summer when it came to signings. Gareth Bale returned on loan from Real Madrid, while the club also solved gaps in the squad in midfield, defence and cover for striker Harry Kane.

Carlos Vinicius joined on loan from Benfica with a view to a permanent deal, while Joe Hart signed on a free. Sergio Reguilon, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Matt Doherty and Joe Rodon all cost substantial fees that equated to more than £75million.

Flatman, 16, admitted that he went on trial to Spurs in the summer but stated that he has opted to join Hearts despite the wishes of his family. The defender, who idolises Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk, believes Hearts will see him make his senior debut quicker.

“I went down for a week’s trial at Spurs,” Flatman said. “I went down and tried it but I decided on Hearts. I think this is a better club for me to progress. There is more likelihood of me getting into the first team here.

“I’ve signed a professional contract here but in England you don’t get that until you’re 18. I think everyone in my family was kind of rooting for England because it was a bigger club but we realised it’s not about moving early. I like the way Van Dijk plays.”

TBR’s view – The issue with Premier League’s biggest clubs

Younger players are becoming more and more aware that they have almost next-to-no chance of breaking into a senior side at one of England’s biggest clubs – even if the likes of Tottenham want them to sign.

Teenage talents are desperate to make their mark in the first team as soon as possible, given a senior debut at a young age will only increase a player’s reputation. Flatman will have an excellent reputation if he breaks into Hearts side in the next year.

There is a significant chance of that. But at Spurs, he would have absolutely no hope of a senior debut. Flatman has made a brave decision, but the right one.