New Napoli signing Beukema aims for Netherlands call-up with role model Van Dijk | OneFootball

New Napoli signing Sam Beukema has been officially presented to the press this afternoon at the team’s training camp in Dimaro, with the 26-year-old telling the media that the club can help him reach and grow his ‘personal goal’ to join his role model Virgil Van Dijk in the Dutch national team.

Beukema also said, with quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb, that Napoli’s 2024-25 Scudetto success ‘didn’t surprise’ him, with Conte’s side ‘showing determination every game.’

The Dutch centre-back signed for the Neapolitan outfit from Bologna earlier this week for a total sum of €30 million ,inclusive of bonuses, with the player signing a five-year deal worth a reported €3 million per season.

EMPOLI, ITALY – JANUARY 26: Sam Beukema of Bologna FC 1909 gestures during the Serie A match between Empoli and Bologna at Stadio Carlo Castellani on January 26, 2025 in Empoli, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Beukema: ‘My role model? Van Dijk’

During the press conference, Beukema was asked whether or not he thinks Napoli can help him make the step-up to the Dutch national team, for which he currently stands uncapped. To this, the 26-year-old replied, “Yes, it’s a personal goal of mine and is one of the reasons I came here. Napoli is a great club, playing in the Champions League and fighting for the Scudetto. I hope to make it to the national squad, it’s a goal and a dream.”

The Dutchman was then asked if there is a defender he sees as a role model, to which he admitted “Right now, I think one of the best is Van Dijk – he is very strong, modern and a great example. But there are many others. Even here at Napoli we have strong defenders and I can’t wait to start working with them.”

BOLOGNA, ITALY – MAY 24: Sam Beukema of Bologna during the Serie A match between Bologna and Genoa at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on May 24, 2025 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Beukema joins Napoli after two seasons with Bologna, who he signed for from Dutch club Go Ahead Eagles in 2023 for €10 million. The Rossoblu club have therefore turned a tidy profit on the player, who played 80 times for the club in all competitions.