- The Netherlands have lost two players to injury ahead of the start of Euro 2024
- Joshua Zirkzee abandoned a trip to Disneyland to join up with the squad
- Click here to follow Mail Sport’s Euro 2024 WhatsApp Channel for all the latest breaking news and updates from Germany
Manchester United and Arsenal target Joshua Zirkzee has abandoned a trip to Disney World to play at Euro 2024 after receiving a late call-up to the Netherlands squad.
Zirkzee, 23, had a breakthrough season at Bologna that saw him score 12 goals across all competitions as his side finished fifth in Serie A to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in the club’s history.
But he was left out of the initial 26-man Dutch squad for this summer’s tournament in Germany, and headed off to Disney World in Florida to enjoy some downtime.
However, injuries to key midfielders Frenkie de Jong and Teun Koopmeiners forced Ronald Koeman into bringing in replacements, and he turned to Zirkzee.
Zirkzee took to social media to announce the news, posting a selfie of himself smiling alongside the caption ‘When you get the call to leave Disney for the Euros’.
Joshua Zirkzee (pictured) posted a smiling selfie after being called up as a late replacement for the Netherlands squad for Euro 2024
He drove away from Disney World after abandoning a trip to the Florida resort to join up with his national side
Zirkzee has been called up following injuries to Frenkie de Jong (L) and Teun Koopmeiners (R)
He also posted a short clip of himself driving away from Disneyland with the message ‘Happy me pt 2’ having cut his holiday short to join up with his national team.
Zirkzee was arguably a surprise omission in the first place after a standout campaign in Italy that has seen him linked with a potential move to the Premier League this summer, with United and Arsenal both monitoring the young forward.
He is yet to make his senior debut for the Netherlands, but that could change in the coming days and weeks, especially if Koeman’s men can go deep into the tournament.
Chelsea’s Ian Maatsen has also been called up to bolster the squad following an impressive end to the season on loan at Borussia Dortmund as they reached the Champions League final.
He was named in Koeman’s provisional squad only to be cut at the last minute, but is now back in the fold to provide cover after the Netherlands received a double injury blow.
Maatsen was on holiday in Mykonos with his girlfriend, Emely Tuinder, when he got the call, but had no hesitation in abandoning his trip to represent his country.
Ian Maatsen (right) has also been called up, and abandoned a holiday in Mykonos with his girlfriend, Emely Tuinder (left) to play for his country
Zirkzee and Maatsen do not have much time to get up to speed with their team-mate, as the Oranje play their opening game of the tournament on Sunday afternoon against Poland.
They will then take on France and Austria in their other two Group D fixtures, as they look to improve on their last-16 exit from the last Euros three years ago.
