Gosens: "Everything about the club was loved": Flash farewell to Berlin "still hurts to the core"
From a child star to a professional: Robin Gosens' career took off at Vitesse Arnhem. Now the German national player is talking about his successful time in the Netherlands and his difficult farewell to the club.
Born in Emmerich am Rhein, Gosens joined Vitesse's youth academy at the tender age of 14 and quickly made a name for himself with his impressive performances. In the 2015/16 season, he made his professional debut for the Eredivisie club and soon became an indispensable part of the team. In 148 competitive matches for Vitesse, the versatile left-back scored 16 goals and provided 12 assists.
"I loved everything about the club"
Gosens fondly recalls his time in Arnhem: "I loved everything about the club, the fans, the city, the stadium. It was a very emotional time for me, and I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity I had there." In 2017, the German U21 international made a big move to Italian Serie A club Atalanta Bergamo, where he continued to develop and became a star player. With Atalanta, he played in the Champions League and won the Coppa Italia in 2019.
However, Gosens never forgot his roots: "My farewell to Vitesse was very difficult, and it still hurts to the core. I had such a great time there, and the club will always have a special place in my heart." To this day, Gosens follows the fortunes of his former club with great interest and is still in regular contact with some of his former teammates.
In an interview with the Dutch newspaper "De Telegraaf," Gosens emphasized that Vitesse played a crucial role in his development as a footballer: "I learned a lot at Vitesse, both on and off the pitch. The club gave me the confidence to believe in my abilities and to pursue my dream of becoming a professional player."
From Arnhem to Bergamo: Gosens' rise to stardom
Gosens' successful time at Vitesse paved the way for his international breakthrough. In 2020, he made his debut for the German national team and has since established himself as a regular in Joachim Löw's squad. In the summer of 2021, he was part of the German team that reached the round of 16 at the European Championship.
At club level, Gosens also celebrated great successes with Atalanta. In addition to winning the Coppa Italia, he was selected for the Serie A Team of the Year in 2019/20 and 2020/21. In January 2022, he completed a move to top Italian club Inter Milan.
Gosens' legacy at Vitesse
Despite his departure, Gosens remains a legend at Vitesse. In 2021, the club unveiled a statue of him in front of the GelreDome stadium, honoring his significant contributions to the club. Gosens is considered one of the most successful players in Vitesse's history, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of footballers.
Conclusion
Robin Gosens' journey from a promising youngster at Vitesse Arnhem to a German national player and star in Serie A is a testament to his talent, hard work, and dedication. His successful time in the Netherlands laid the foundation for his impressive career, and he will always be remembered as one of the most iconic players in Vitesse's history.
