Gossip Queen: Jobe Watson’s New York love joins him in Melbourne

EXCLUSIVE FIRST PICTURES: Essendon champion Jobe Watson has been in a New York state of mind this week after being joined in Melbourne by his model girlfriend, Virginia Slaghekke.

Jobe Watson and his new girlfriend Virginia Slaghekke leave the South Melbourne Market. Picture: David Crosling

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EXCLUSIVE FIRST PICTURES: Essendon champion Jobe Watson has been in a New York state of mind this week after being joined in Melbourne by his model girlfriend, Virginia Slaghekke.

Slaghekke arrived in town early Tuesday morning after a long-haul flight from Europe and is expected to spend at least three months in Australia.

Watson and Slaghekke out shopping. Picture: David Crosling

Virginia Slaghekke. Picture: David Crosling

Stand by for the pair to rocket to the top of guest lists around the city as the town’s new red carpet darlings.

The couple kept a low profile during the week, with Watson showing Slaghekke around the bayside area in which lives.

In very Melbourne fashion the pair were out on an early morning coffee run yesterday before heading to the South Melbourne Market for some organic, artisan goodness.

A model and neuroscience /pre-med student, Slaghekke, 25, is in Melbourne on an exchange program.

Originally from Amsterdam but based in New York, she is a successful model who is represented by Trump Models.

Picture: Hamish Blair

Watson with Virginia at his sister’s wedding.

Virginia Slaghekke with Jobe Watson.

Slaghekke and Watson’s relationship developed last year while the footballer was on a year-long hiatus from the game during which he spent a number of months in New York.

Slaghekke accompanied Watson to his sister, Billie’s wedding in Bali in October where the pair were pictured delighting in the joyous family celebration.

She has been embraced by Watson’s family with his father, Tim, telling Seven News viewers in November: ``(Jobe) has a beautiful girlfriend, I think he might be in love.”

Picture: David Crosling

Slaghekke and Watson share an interest in health and fitness.

She has previously said of her lifestyle: ``I try to stay away from processed foods and not eat too much sugar or salt. Besides that I run and get myself into sports that are attractive to me for other reasons than shaping me up, like yoga or boxing.’’

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