A one-year-old football talent from the southern Dutch town of Venlo is enjoying fame at home and abroad. The toddler, Baerke van der Mey, has just signed a symbolic ten-year 'professional' contract with football club VVV Venlo, albeit a token agreement.

Little Baerke shot to fame last week when his father posted a film of the toddler shooting three balls into a toy box on YouTube. US media picked up on the video, which has gotten more than 900,000 hits so far.

Enjoying the publicity, VVV Venlo allowed Baerke to join midfielder Ken Leemans during a training session in De Koel Stadium. Soccer is undoubtedly in the mini-legend's genes – his grandpa also played for VVV in the past.

(jn/imm)

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