NEW Tottenham signing Jan Paul van Hecke has shown off his black eye after completing a transfer from Brighton.
The Dutch defender picked up the injury against Japan in the opening group stage game at the World Cup.
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New Spurs signing Jan Paul van Hecke has shown off his black eye Credit: instagram
The defender picked it up against Japan at the World Cup Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Initial swelling has gone down Credit: AP
The Dutchman still has a big dark mark under his eye Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
And he is still carrying the shiner around his right eye days after it happened.
Van Hecke, 26, took a blow to the face on Jattvibeday in the entertaining 2-2 draw in Dallas.
Then he joined Spurs for £52million and had his arrival video blotted by the dark bruise under his eye.
Centre-back Van Hecke told reporters after the Japan clash: “My eye hurts. He smashed it. We both went for the ball and he missed it.
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“I notice that I am seeing less with one eye now, I hope that my eyesight will recover in the next few days.”
Swelling has gone down but evidence of his battle are still clear, and in a clip posted online, Van Hecke said: “Hello Spurs fans. Jan Paul van Hecke here from Kansas.
“I’m really happy to join the club. It’s a big honour from me and I’m looking forward to playing for Tottenham.
“For me it’s a big dream come true and I look forward to seeing you all.
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“Micky [van de Ven] already told me some great things about the club, about the fans, and about the people inside the club.
“He already gave me his shirt so that’s really nice. I’m really looking forward to playing my first game for Tottenham.
“Come on you Spurs.”
Van de Ven, when asked about his team-mate – but before a transfer was confirmed – explained: “I think he got a kick at the beginning of the game.
“When he headed the ball away the guy kicked his face.
“He got a really blue eye and hopefully will recover quickly for the next game.
“He’s a warrior.”
And Spurs fans were quick to laugh about Van Hecke, with one saying: “Did micky beat him up and force him to wear that shirt”.
Another added: “bro is already injured, will blend right in”.
A third wrote online: “He got injured after immediately wearing our shirt”.
The pair played 90 minutes together with Van de Ven at left-back and Van Hecke next to Virgil van Dijk.
They are next in action against Sweden on Saturday.
