Cumbrian star Jarrad Branthwaite has given a series of insights into life in the Dutch top-flight with PSV Eindhoven.

The former Carlisle United defender, who is on loan from Everton in the Eredivisie, has reflected on scoring his first goal for the club.

And the 20-year-old from Wigton has also spoken about some of the challenges and pitfalls of playing in another country.

Branthwaite gave an interview to PSV’s YouTube channel which followed his recent strike in a 4-3 win over Feyenoord.

“It was a good moment for me,” he said. “Over the two days before the game we did routines to make sure we could get into those scenarios.

“I got there on the first corner and the right foot put it in the back of the net!”

Branthwaite is settling in to the club, which is managed by Ruud Van Nistelrooy, having made a season-long loan move in the summer.

Interviewed by presenter Maddy Hansen, the former Blues academy star said: “I’m really liking it. It’s a good club, a family club, everyone’s close together.

“It took a bit of time settling in, moving to a different country, but I’m getting used to my surroundings now.”

Branthwaite revealed that his relationship with PSV sporting director Marcel Brands, who was previously at Everton, was key to his move to the Dutch club.

READ MORE: Branthwaite must stay in PSV side says top Dutch boss

“Marcel signed me from Carlisle for Everton and we’ve had a really good connection since then, not just with me but my agent and family as well,” he said.

“Once he phoned me and said PSV wanted me to come, it was a no-brainer. I have trust in him and it’s a great club.”

Branthwaite spoke about life in Eindhoven, and said: “It was hard at first. I was living on my own in England for two years [when I was with Everton], but I could nip up the road to see my family.

“Now it’s completely different. It’s a different mentality sometimes, a bit lonely, but something you get used to and you find things to put your time in, and a couple of the players have been helping me out as well.”

Branthwaite said team-mate Xavi Simons is one of the players he is now close to, with the two attending Jong PSV games involving the club’s reserve side.

The defender said he has not yet been able to master the Dutch language, saying he struggles with the pronunciation of words.

He said, though, he is enjoying adapting to the style of play in the Eredivisie, saying: “In the Netherlands the football’s a lot prettier, playing out from the back. It’s similar to the Premier League in that way.

“I went on loan to the Championship [with Blackburn Rovers] and it was long balls and physical – and in League Two it was long balls too.

“Playing out from the back is a big thing here and that will help me when I go back.”

Branthwaite said he hopes his spell will equip him to forge a career as a first-team regular at parent club Everton in the Premier League.

He also spoke about one of his favourite pastimes when back home in Cumbria – playing golf with his friends at Silloth-on-Solway Golf Club.

The young defender was also asked about his background as a youngster in Cumbria, the players he admired when growing up, his strangest internet purchase and his favourite film.

PSV are back in action against Cambuur next Saturday.