19-Year-Old Feyenoord Star Splinter De Mooij Quits Professional Football To Become A Doctor

Splinter de Mooij - a 19-year-old academy player currently signed with Feyenoord - is retiring from football to become a doctor.

De Mooij joined the Dutch side as a schoolboy in 2013 and signed an official contract in 2018.

But he's decided to leave football behind in an attempt to pursue a 'second dream' studying medicine, starting in September.

The midfielder announced his decision on Instagram in a statement which reads: "When I was scouted by Feyenoord in 2013 and later signed my first professional contract, my dream of becoming a professional footballer came true.

"After 7 great years at Feyenoord, I informed Feyenoord today that I will leave the club to make my second dream come true, namely to become a doctor. I will start my medical studies in September of this year.

"Thank you Feyenoord, the staff of Feyenoord Academy and Key Sports for the wonderful training and guidance I have received from you.

"And for my teammates: thanks for the friendships and everything we have been through together!"

An incredible decision to be made at such a young age.

It comes months after Italy under-18 international Alessandro Arlotti made the decision to step away from football to attend Harvard University.

The 18-year-old attacker, who's scored for the Italian Under-17 team and been capped at Under-18 level, was most recently signed to Serie B side Pescara. Before that, he spent time as a youth player at AS Monaco.

However, this doesn't mean the end of Arlotti's career necessarily.

The idea of promising athletes gaining college scholarships is of course common in US sports, unlike Europe.

But Harvard University is far more renowned as a respected seat of higher education than a destination for future sports stars.

So presumably Arlotti has decided his future lies in learning rather than football for the time being.

Young footballers showing maturity of this level deserves to be commended.

We wish Splinter and Alessandro all the best in whichever career they follow.

Topics: Football, Feyenoord, Holland

Daniel Marland

Daniel is a journalist for SPORTbible and he has previous experience with Manchester United. He has spoken to some of the biggest names in sport including Rio Ferdinand, Peter Crouch, WWE COO Triple H and WWE legend The Undertaker. May or may not do a decent impression of Jamie Carragher.

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