Sam_Kupers

At fifteen, he was just a boy with a dream — to become a professional footballer. He had talent, the hunger to train, and the spark that set him apart on the pitch. Until doctors discovered his heart couldn’t keep up with his ambitions.

Two years later, at seventeen, his body gave out. His dream died with him.

When he wakes up, he’s in a small Dutch town again — only this time… he’s a child. A second chance.

Armed with memories of a life cut short and an undying love for the game, he refuses to waste his new start. He trains relentlessly, determined to reach the heights he never could before.

But talent alone won’t be enough. Friendships, rivalries, the ruthless world of professional football — and the haunting question of whether fate can truly be changed.

This time, he’s not just playing for himself. He’s playing for his family, for his country… and for the chance to finally lift the World Cup in orange.

Can one reborn striker change the fate of Dutch football?

Back on the Pitch

In this story, Thijs joins RC Huissen, which stands for Roman Catholic Huissen. It's inspired by a real football club in Huissen, the Netherlands, called RKHvv — Rooms Katholieke Huissense Voetbalvereniging.

RC Huissen's team colors are white and blue, and it's a small local club where kids play for fun, friendship, and sometimes the dream of going professional.

I decided to adjust the name to make it easier for English readers, but I wanted to keep this personal detail in the story because it's the club where I played football when I was younger. It holds a lot of special memories for me.

Author’s Note:﻿

Author’s Note: