Four-time EHL winner Thierry Brinkman has announced he will end his time with HC Bloemendaal at the end of the season following an incredible nine-year spell with the club.

He subsequently confirmed on Thursday that he will join Den Bosch, signing a contract which will run until 2028.

Since joining Bloemendaal from SV Kampong in 2015, he has also won three Dutch national championships, been nominated for the FIH World Player of the Year twice.

On the EHL stage, he has scored 15 times in 16 appearances with the sparrows, including one in the 2018 EHL GRAND FINAL and two in the 2021 edition.

“It was a very difficult decision,” he explains of the decision. “I really enjoy it at Bloemendaal, I feel appreciated as a player and as a person. The past nine years get a 10 from me in all areas, both within the field and beyond.”

He made the decision during the winter break following conversations with girlfriend Elke, his family and team mates.

“I have the feeling that after the Olympic Games it will be a good time for something different. We have won everything there is to win with Bloemendaal so I will end that period.

“There are many facets to this decision, it is also about my future. The reactions I get from people I told the news myself, such as [Top Hockey board members] Lo van Noordwijk and Els van Mierlo, are special. Everyone is so understanding.”

Reflecting on  his time at ‘t Kopje with great pleasure. “It’s made me friends that I’m sure I’ll see for the rest of my life. But I want to end my time at Bloemendaal on a good note!”

Top Hockey board member Michiel Hilders added:: ‘We have sat down with Thierry a lot in recent months. We spoke in detail about his future and which elements are important to him.

“Thierry is now in a different phase of his career and his life and other things become important. Ultimately, he came to the conclusion to choose a new challenge.

“In the long term, he and his girlfriend will settle outside Amsterdam, for example. That is very understandable, but of course we are also very sorry that he is leaving.

“Thierry played for Bloemendaal for a long time and contributed greatly to the club’s sporting successes. We are extremely grateful to him for that and of course we are also proud of the fact that he has become one of the best players in the world at Bloemendaal.

“We wish him much success and enjoyment with his new challenge.’

In recent weeks, Bloemendaal announced the arrival of two great talents: Jan van ‘t Land and Lucas Veen.