'I'm averaging around 75 now and will definitely try' - Premier League defender dreams of emulating Van Gerwen in career switch

Originally posted on Dartsnews.com | Last updated Aug 6, 2025 12:00 PM ET

Quilindschy Hartman, the brand new addition to Premier League soccer club Burnley, has surprisingly revealed that he may want to enter the darts circuit after his soccer career.

The 23-year-old left-back made the switch from Feyenoord to England this summer, where he signed a four-year contract. The deal is said to have cost around 7.7 million pounds, with another 2.55 million in possible bonuses. In an interview with Sky Sports, the Dutchman indicated that he has a great passion for darts - and that he is seriously considering becoming a professional dart player after his soccer retirement.

"I said it a little bit as a joke, of course, but I like to play," he said to Sky Sports. "I know a few players. Darts is pretty big in Holland and I just like to play when I have time off.

"I play with my friends a lot and I watch it a lot, and I went to a few tournaments as well."

"I'm going to try it, that's no joke."

When asked if he wants to try the pro circuit, Hartman sounded remarkably serious.

"I will try [to go pro], that's not a joke. I know for sure after my career I will play competitions. And then lets see. I can be good enough because I can average 75 or something and I think you can go to Q school with 80 - and I don't practice regularly. So I think if I go full [time] then I can maybe go pro."

Hartman named Michael van Gerwen as his big darts idol, but also gave honorable mention to Michael Smith, whom he spoke to after his win at the World Darts Championship. He also follows Luke Humphries, Chris Dobey and Stephen Bunting on social media.

The left back has so far played his entire professional career at Feyenoord, where he made his Eredivisie debut in 2022. Last season he reached 12 league games, but a knee injury kept him sidelined for a long time. Now he is hoping for a fresh start at Burnley - with a switch from grass to board in the longer term, perhaps.

Quilindschy Hartman, Dutch footballer and Feyenoord champion, reveals his passion to pursue a pro darts career post-retirement. https://t.co/nVtbiTIWHc pic.twitter.com/MFaBNHbXb3
— Dorian Huang (@RacerKingDorian) January 30, 2025