Former National Under 20 captain Sheldon Bateau has inched himself closer to signing a professional contract in Holland but to date remains a player with Local T&T Pro League club North East Stars.
There appears to have been a miscommunication between the parties involved as North East announced that the defender signed a two-year deal with Dutch Eredivisie club Noad Advendo Combinatie Breda.
The 21-year-old Beateau has been in Amsterdam on trials for the past few days and sought to clear the air on his current status.
“I’m in Amsterdam at the moment and I wasn’t allowed to say anything until I signed a contract. I still have not signed a contract with any club,” Bateau told TTFF Media on Friday morning.
“Things have gone well so far and there are a couple teams interested but I am still a North East player. My agent in Holland and my manager in Trinidad have ensured that things have been properly arranged here for me.
I trained with a small team in Wormerveer just outside of Amsterdam and then I had a personal trainer getting me into shape before I went into the actual trials. Three clubs expressed interest including Vitesse and Alkmaar Zaanstreek,” Bateau continued.
“I’m hoping for the best but I may have to be released by North East in order to be signed outside of the transfer window which closes at the end of August,” the former T&T Olympic team captain said.
Bateau’s local handler Dion Sosa confirmed that the player was yet to sign a contract in Holland, saying “Sheldon is still being looked at and we haven’t confirmed a deal as yet.
I understand North East’s eagerness to announce that he has signed a contract with a club in Holland but there is nothing to confirm at this point. But a couple of the clubs are interested and we are waiting on the outcome of the negotiations.”
Already, three Dutch media publications have been in touch with TTFF Media over Bateau’s status and hopefully there will be good news for North East and Bateau regarding a sure move to Holland for the player in the not too distant future.