Holland star, 23, set to swap football career for darts after watching Rob Cross win Dutch Masters
DUTCH international Quilindschy Hartman has declared his aim to swap boots for bullseyes by becoming a pro dart player.
The Feyenoord defender won the 2022 Eredivisie title and 2023 domestic cup under current Liverpool boss Arne Slot.
Hartman, capped four times by Holland, has been with the Rotterdam club since the age of eight.
And although only 23, the left-back has outlined his future plans, revealing his ambition to play in the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace.
Darts is a huge sport in Holland, with the country producing legends like Michael van Gerwen and Raymond van Barneveld.
Hartman showed up at the Dutch Darts Masters in Den Bosch at the weekend to watch Englishman Rob Cross see off compatriot Stephen Bunting.
And he has a passion for the sport, saying: “I play darts a lot and think that after my football career is over, I’m really going to throw plenty of them.
“I will want to play in competitions, as that is something I love.
“I don’t get much time for it at present because of the busy fixture calendar.
“But if I’m still as keen on darts when I retire as I am now, then I will really go for it.
“It would be a dream for me to play on a big stage like Alexandra Palace. That would be amazing.
“I genuinely think that is something I’ll be able to do if I get more time to practice.
“If I play more often, I believe I can get there.”
The exotically-named defender is close to a footballing return after nine months out following a knee injury.
Reportedly valued at £20million, he has made 72 senior Feyenoord appearances – scoring twice.
He has previously been linked with a transfer to the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and West Ham.