Ex-Crookhorn College pupil earns long-term Holland deal after bouncing back from Portsmouth blow

Josh Flint has been reinvented as left-back and handed a long-term deal as he carves out a career in Holland.
Former Pompey player Josh Flint, from Waterlooville, has earned himself a long-term deal with Dutch club FC Volendam. Picture: Joe PeplerFormer Pompey player Josh Flint, from Waterlooville, has earned himself a long-term deal with Dutch club FC Volendam. Picture: Joe Pepler
Former Pompey player Josh Flint, from Waterlooville, has earned himself a long-term deal with Dutch club FC Volendam. Picture: Joe Pepler

With friend and fellow Pompey Academy graduate Leon Maloney already on the Dutch second tier side’s books, midfielder Flint was handed the opportunity to impress.

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He subsequently made two first-team appearances in November, both as a substitute.

It resulted a deal shortly before Christmas, tying up until the summer of 2023, with an option for an additional 12 months.

FC Volendam had been keen to finalise a contract before the implementation of Brexit, which is regarded as now making it more difficult to recruit English players.

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In a Dutch-speaking interview with the club website, which has been translated, technical director Jasper van Leeuwen said: ‘We gave Josh the opportunity to prove himself on an amateur basis at Jong FC Volendam last summer.

‘At the same time, we started a challenging transition. He was an attacking midfielder in England, but we mainly see potential as a left wing-back.

‘There is a world of difference between the Josh as he arrived and the Josh today. This speed of development has surprised us very positively.

‘In addition, with Brexit, it means that we have to make a faster decision about whether or not to sign an English player.

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‘That's why Josh already gets his reward now, but he enforced it himself.’

Flint, who comes from Waterlooville, attended Queen’s Inclosure Primary School and then Crookhorn College.

The former Pompey season-ticket holder was last season handed his first-team debut against Norwich under-21s in the Leasing.com Trophy, responding with a goal and assist in the 3-1 success.

He made his second and final Blues outing the following month in a 2-2 draw at Oxford United, again in the Leasing.com Trophy.

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However, his short-term deal expired in January and he had a trial at Walsall, while turned out for Bognor.

Flint joined him in August, earning 29 minutes from the bench in a 1-1 draw at Yong Ajax in November, followed by another substitute outing in the next game against Almere.

FC Volendam are presently sixth in the Eerstie Divisie.

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