Love Island's Scott Van Der Sluis is the new boy on the block and will make his late arrival to the famous villa during the epsiode that will air on Thursday, June 15. The footballer, who hails from Connah's Quay, will take the winner of tonight's challenge on a date.
In scenes set to air later on, the Islanders will play the "she's a keeper" challenge, with the champion receiving a text that reads: "As the boys voted you the winner of today’s challenge you will go on a date tonight with a real footballer, Scott. #BeautyAndTheBaller #WomanOfTheMatch."
Scott's appearance on the show, however, has seen him depart Shelbourne Football Club. The 22-year-old goalkeeper requested and was granted a release from his contract so he can take a break from his professional football career to participate in the ITV television show.
Read more: Love Island new bombshell is Welsh footballer Scott Van Der Sluis
The Welshman joined the Irish Premier Division club in the summer of 2022 and has made two appearances this season in the Leinster Senior Cup. Confirming his departure, the club wrote on social media: "Shelbourne FC can confirm Scott van-der-Sluis has left the club. We'd like to wish Scott all the best for the future."
Upon announcing the news, Head Coach Damien Duff joked: "I was shocked and saddened that Scott chose a villa in Mallorca full of beautiful single women over myself, the staff and the players. All jokes aside, I thank Scott for his services to Shelbourne FC and we all wish him the very best for the future, whatever that holds."
While Scott said: "I'd like to thank Shelbourne FC for everything they've done for me, the gaffer, the lads, the staff, the fans and people around the club have been brilliant with me since coming in. I've loved my time at Shels, football is all I've ever done, all I've ever known. So this is a new and exciting opportunity for a change-up in life. Shels are a great club going in the right direction and I look forward to seeing what the lads can achieve. Shels is my club, I'll be cheering on the lads as a fan when I leave the villa."
Ahead of making his debut, Scott said of joining Love Island: "Football is all I've ever done, all I've ever known. So this is a new and exciting opportunity for a change-up in life."
Asked why he's still single, Scott said: "I've been single through my own choice, as well as circumstances. I've moved around a lot with football and I've been based in Dublin playing football for over a year. I've been single for 3 and a half years so it’s been a while so I'm ready and open to anything!" You can read more on Scott here.
Love Island continues tomorrow night at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX. For more showbiz and television stories get our newsletter here.
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