Exclusive Joel Piroe interview: Leeds United striker on overcoming adversity, finding a home in the EFL rather than the Eredivisie, and his parents
For Joel Piroe, championship life is a beach.
Following his success at Swansea City, the striker is already creating waves at Leeds United, having scored five goals in his first eight league games.
On Friday, he won the Sky Bet Championship’s goal of the month title for September after a superb strike against Millwall.
Since arriving in the UK in the summer of 2021, the Dutchman has scored 46 goals and is on his way to a half-century.
No rival has hit more times at the second-tier level during that time period. United’s eight-figure cost to recruit Piroe may have been eye-catching, but it already appears to have been money well spent.
Piroe’s Championship love affair may have begun on the Gower Peninsula, but it was not without complications.
He had it rough in his home country before arriving in South Wales.
His first season in Swansea was also a test, as he was left out of their team for their 2021-22 season opener.
While his teammates were on the field, Piroe went to a nearby beach with his father and a friend for a game of soccer.
He scored in the next game for the Swans and hasn’t looked back since.
In an exclusive interview with The Yorkshire Post, Piroe stated, “It was the first game day and I wasn’t in the squad.”
“I had the day off and went to the beach before watching the game to just do some kick-ups and enjoy the day and try to make it a little bit better.”
“At the time, the weather was still pleasant. Someone noticed it and photographed it.
“At this time, there was a staff change, and the boss (Steve Cooper) left, and Russell Martin took his place.” We didn’t know each other previously, so we had to figure it out before I got my chance.”
Piroe had to deal with a lot more in his early years in the Netherlands. It gave him the drive he needed to succeed across the North Sea.
Piroe, from the remote hamlet of Wijchen, was heralded as a rising star in Holland, even being compared to a Dutch legend who would later coach him, Ruud van Nistelrooy.
In his early teens, the Dutch youth international was linked with Manchester City and Everton before signing his first professional deal with PSV Eindhoven.
Eindhoven, an industrial town, has also produced a conveyor belt of Oranje internationals at the Philips Stadion throughout the years, including current players Cody Gakpo, Memphis Depay, and Steven Bergwijn.
Piroe was destined for greatness, but it never came for him at PSV.
He took the knocks on the chin admirably, and it fueled him rather than depressed him.
He is currently being rewarded in the EFL rather than the Eredivisie.
“It always goes with ups and downs, and you always have to keep working hard to see where you get,” Piroe, who aspires to play for the complete Dutch national team, said.
“Of course, it was difficult to get many minutes at PSV with internationals like Eran Zahavi and Donyell Malan playing in front of you, as well as Luuk de Jong for a time.”
“You know you’re not going to get a lot of game time, and it’s a lot of work.” When you believe you are good enough to play, it might be difficult at times.
“But they also have status, and when they perform well, you have to consider your options.”
“I tried to get the best out of the trainers I had, such as Ruud van Nistelrooy and Roy Makaay.” I just listened to them, took up their knowledge, and tried to apply it to my benefit.”
Piroe has had the unwavering support of his parents throughout his football career.
Their support extended to traveling on a Swansea supporters’ bus to Cardiff City for a South Wales derby – and they’ve already had a taste of the Elland Road experience, with their ‘kid’ scoring in recent games against Bristol City and Watford.
“It was something new,” Piroe said of his parents’ experience with Wales’ premier derby.
“We knew it was a big game in South Wales, and they wanted to see how the fans dealt with it.” It was something unique.
“They came to a lot of (Swansea) games, especially when we had two home games in a week.” They adore it.
“They’ve already visited Leeds and enjoy Elland Road as well.” They claim that the atmosphere was different and louder here, and that the stadium was always filled. It makes a significant difference.”
At Leeds, Piroe already has his own song.
“That’s always appreciated. “Sometimes I wish we could just stop and listen,” he said.
This season, expect to hear it a lot.
