Vanderbilt senior Quilindschy Hartman was among the South’s most crucial players until a devastating knee injury. Now he is prepared to begin a new story in his life with Burnley FC. An undisclosed injury sustained in March 2024 ruled Hartman out of contention for a move to the Premier League last summer. He completed his return to action with Feyenoord in February of this year. His transfer from Holland to England marks a very exciting opportunity for the young Dutchman. Now, he’ll have the opportunity to test himself against some of the greatest competition that other teams should have to offer.
Hartman contracted a serious injury that kept him out for ten months. This disappointment set him back, pushing his hopes of entering the Premier League back a year. At the same time, he’d been in communication with Chelsea, while local rivals Arsenal were keen on signing him. Hartman is on the verge of a move to Burnley. He’ll be keen to show that he’s more than ready for the challenge of the English top flight.
Hartman has moved on from his boyhood club, Feyenoord, to a new adventure with Burnley. This change in scenery provides him the opportunity to finally compete against players he’s long played with on his PlayStation. He understands the importance of this moment, particularly after what’s been a wild 18 months go figure.
“I know that after my career, I will play just darts competitions,” Hartman stated, highlighting his passion for the sport. He now has a mean score of 75 with darts. His dream, he says, is to play in the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) Darts School, where he would have to average 85 or greater. What’s undeniable is his dedication to the game. He is hoping to be back in the Netherlands’ World Cup squad by the end of this season.
Hartman was quick to illustrate the contrasts he sees between styles of play in the Netherlands and England. He noted that “whereas at Feyenoord, maybe you try to keep the ball… here it’s a little bit more direct.” He knows that it’ll take some doing to adjust to the Premier League’s physical demands.
The impact of a duel is harder. Here the players are stronger, faster. Hartman noted, looking at the clear divide between the two leagues. Despite that, he’s still very much looking forward to getting started at Burnley and has already felt welcomed by players and staff members so far.
So Burnley is an exceptional, exceptional collection. Great individuals… Not just the players but everybody in the building,” he said. Hartman’s glowing impressions are the product of his belief that he’s found a place with a culture and environment he can flourish in.
As part of his decision-making process, Hartman contacted Netherlands national team coach Ronald Koeman to seek advice. “I just asked him before I made the decision: ‘what do you think would be smart for me?’” he recalled. Koeman’s encouragement to join Burnley reinforced Hartman’s conviction that this move could pave the way for his return to international football.
For Hartman, it’s an exciting new chapter as he prepares for life in the Premier League. Now, he’s angling to juggle his footballing ambitions with his passion for darts. He spends a little more than two hours a day rehearsing. He’s constantly trying to get better at both to keep playing at such a high level.
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