Scott Van Der Sluis will make his Love Island debut on tonight’s episode, but he has had to make a sacrifice in order to join the cast.
The 22-year-old will be switching catching footballs for catching feelings after quitting his job as a custodian for Shelbourne Football Club to compete on the ITV dating programme.
The Welshman joined the Irish Premier Division team last summer and made a handful of outings. It may not be the end of the world, as the team defined it as a “break.”
‘The goalkeeper requested and was granted a release from his contract so he can take a break from his professional football career,’ they wrote.
With his remark regarding the issue, Head Coach Damien Duff demonstrated his sense of humour.
‘I was shocked and saddened that Scott chose a villa in Mallorca full of beautiful single women over myself, the staff and the players,’ he began.
‘All jokes aside, I thank Scott for his services to Shelbourne FC and we all wish him the very best for the future, whatever that holds.’
Scott himself said: ‘I’d like to thank Shelbourne FC for everything they’ve done for me, the gaffer, the lads, the staff, the fans and people around the club have been brilliant with me since coming in.
‘I’ve loved my time at Shels, football is all I’ve ever done, all I’ve ever known. So this is a new and exciting opportunity for a change-up in life.’
He went on to say that it’s a “wonderful club” and that he’ll “cheer on the players as a fan when I leave the villa.”
However, he might be taking his goalie’skills’ into a potential romance.
When asked how he’d sell himself he said: ‘Tall, dark, handsome and I’m a goalkeeper, so I’m good with my hands!’
Scott isn’t the first Love Islander who gave up sport for the programme; Tom Clare retired from football after leaving the villa.
Love Island continues tomorrow night at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.
