1-Year-Old Signs Professional Soccer Team Contract

A Dutch soccer club has signed an 18-month-old boy to a 10-year professional contract after seeing a YouTube video of the tyke tenaciously kicking soccer balls into his toy chest.

The toddler, Baerke van der Meij, was asked to sign a contract with Venlose Voetbal Vereniging Venlo ( VVV-Venlo), a professional  soccer club in Venlo in the Netherlands. The child signed the contract during a press conference before the team's training session at the De Koel Stadium in Venlo on April 26.

Although the child's kicking skills are pretty impressive, the signing is probably just a publicity stunt for the team, since the soccer club has made it clear that the contract is "symbolic." The boy's grandfather used to play for the team and his family still lives in the city of Venlo.

"The toddler's favorite position has not yet been determined," said a VVV-Venlo press release. "However, we can speak of a right-footed player with a very good kicking technique, perseverance and, importantly; football genes via his grandfather."

Here's the video, which has attracted nearly two million views since its premier on YouTube last week:

• Are Kickball and Tag Too Dangerous for Kids?
• Does Exercise Help Kids Do Better In School?
• New World Record: Longest Rugby Match

Follow Life's Little Mysteries on Twitter @LLMysteries