From the rear-view mirror to the future: the remarkable story of Regina van Eijk & Sophie Proost

Sometimes a shared story doesn’t begin with the first training session, nor with a group photo in the new kit. Sometimes it begins quite by chance. For example, in the car, at the FC Bayern Campus exit. Regina van Eijk had only been in Munich for a few days: new streets, new routines, a new home. As she set off from the north of Munich, she glanced in the rear-view mirror as she usually does. There was another car waiting behind her with a familiar face at the wheel. “Wait a minute… is that Sophie?”, she thought, a broad grin spreading across her face. She raised her hand in greeting. Sophie Proost recognised her straight away and waved back. Today, they both have to laugh when they think back to that moment a few days ago.

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Actually, they could have got to know each other better years ago, given that they’re both from the Netherlands. Instead, their first real encounter took place, of all places, in their new home of Munich. Even before they’d stepped onto the training pitch together, even before they’d shared a dressing room. “That was actually the first time we saw each other here,” says Regina. Sophie nods, before they both burst out laughing at the same time. A brief moment that reveals a great deal about the story of these two Dutch women, who joined the FCB Women squad at the start of the season. For years, their paths had repeatedly drifted close to one another – without ever really crossing. Until now.

Familiar Strangers

Although Van Eijk and Proost both speak the same language, learned their trade in the Netherlands and now wear the FCB jersey, for a long time they were merely familiar faces to one another. “We knew each other’s names,” recalls Proost. “We might have said hello once or twice. But we never had a proper conversation.” And that was despite the fact that both spent many years progressing through the Ajax youth system. At the time, Sophie was still playing for the youth teams, whilst Regina had already moved up to the senior side. “We knew who each other were, but that was about it,” says Regina, looking back.

For Sophie, however, Regina was no stranger. Whilst she herself was coming of age at the top Dutch club's academy, van Eijk was already part of the first-team squad. The young attacking player was already following the first team’s matches closely back then. “I often watched Regina play, even back when she was still playing against Bayern in the Champions League,” she says. Neither of them could probably have imagined back then that, a few years later, they would be turning out together for the Munich side.

Schooled at Ajax

Ajax shaped them both – both in terms of their footballing ability and their approach to the game. They spent many years of their youth with de Godenzonen, and although they belong to different generations, they speak of that time with the same appreciation. Ajax stands for bold football, creative solutions with the ball, and a commitment to young players. Regina sees parallels with FC Bayern in this. “Both clubs aim to be dominant, develop talent and give players the opportunity to flourish at the highest level.” That's also why the move to Munich felt like the right choice for both of them right from the start.

Their paths did cross again later on. This time, however, it was on the pitch. Last season, FC Twente, with Proost in their ranks, took on Ajax, featuring van Eijk. The teams faced off for 90 minutes with the match ending in a 1–1 draw. Sophie didn’t manage to score against Regina, partly because she had to come off at half-time after taking a knock. However, the winger can now make up for what she missed out on back then in training. Although Regina does everything she can to ensure she has to pick the ball out of the back of her net as rarely as possible.

Settling in Munich

Speaking of training, in their new daily routine, both are clearly enjoying the environment, the team and the ‘Mia san mia’ spirit. “The first week was really lovely, as was getting to know my new teammates, the new city and everything that goes with it,” says Regina. “The standard and intensity are very high, and it’s impressive to be in such a high-calibre environment.” At the same time, both felt at home from day one. “Everyone was incredibly friendly and open. It really is a great team. We have the opportunity here to train with world-class players and learn from them,” says Sophie.

She recounts how Pernille Harder sought her out in her very first few days and gave her a warm welcome. “Even though it’s such a big club with such impressive players, everyone is incredibly warm and approachable. I knew straight away that I could learn an incredible amount here.” Regina had a similar experience, yet was still surprised: “Everyone at the club is incredibly warm and open. To be honest, I’d thought things would be much stricter in Germany.” Instead, the 24-year-old found a team that combines high standards with a relaxed attitude. “That really took me by surprise in a positive way.”

Two brothers, two careers

The two new signings' football stories also began in remarkably similar ways. Both were introduced to football through their older brothers. Regina’s brother was a goalkeeper, just like her. “I just thought: that’s exactly what I want to do too.” To this day, she loves the special responsibility that comes with her position. “People always say goalkeepers are mad,” she says with a laugh. “I’d say ‘unique’ instead.” The role is often misunderstood, yet there’s hardly any other position where you can help a team so directly.

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Sophie started off by taking a slight detour. She was desperate to play football, but initially tried her hand at dancing and gymnastics as well. She didn’t stick with them for long. “I just wanted to play football again.” She spent countless hours on the pitch, particularly with her brother – which was actually where her career began

Characters who fit together

Proost and Van Eijk also have similar personality traits. Both laugh a lot, both exude a natural openness, and both strike up conversations with one another effortlessly. The fact that they're now rooming together on the Allianz Women’s Tour to Tokyo (follow it here in our live blog!) feels like an almost inevitable continuation of their story: two players, who for years knew each other only by sight are, bit by bit, becoming close friends.

When asked how they would describe each other, they both have to think for a moment. “Open,” says Regina at last. Sophie nods. She describes Regina as funny, warm and easy-going. “It’s just lovely to talk to her.” There’s plenty of laughter throughout. When the conversation turns to the cliché that female goalkeepers are a bit mad, Sophie grins: “Maybe a bit.” Regina immediately disagrees: “No – unique.” These light-hearted, spontaneous exchanges run through the whole conversation and make it clear just how quickly a natural connection has formed between the two of them.

Discovering Japan

Away from the pitch, both are keen to make the most of their time on the Allianz Women’s Tour to Japan. Among other things, Sophie and Regina mention the culinary attractions: good sushi, gyoza and Japanese food culture. They’re also keen to explore the city. If the tightly packed tour schedule allows, they’d like to stroll through Tokyo and soak up the city’s atmosphere. Both are already impressed by the politeness and warmth of the people. With a smile, they talk about their first encounters and how attentive everyone has been towards them everywhere they’ve gone.

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Anticipation for the new season

Amidst intensive training sessions, shared meals and new experiences, it's not only their anticipation for the coming season that's growing, but also their mutual understanding. Van Eijk and Proost are now linked by far more than their Dutch heritage: both were shaped by Ajax, both discovered football through their older brothers, and both want to keep improving every day and win trophies. And yet their shared story didn't begin at Ajax, nor in the Eredivisie, nor even in that match in which they faced each other as opponents. It began at the FC Bayern Campus exit. With a glance in the rear-view mirror, a smile and a wave that marked the start of a new chapter together.

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