The five-time World Champion entered Qualifying School this year after reversing his decision to retire only 12 months earlier, as Koltsov makes history.

The Dutchman won through from First Stage at Qualifying School last week, and has accumulated enough ranking points to secure his 2021/2022 PDC Tour Card. However, he is still in action on Day Four and could yet become an outright winner of a Tour Card by winning in Niedernhausen.

Van Barneveld is expected to make his return on the PDC ProTour next week at the Super Series in Bolton, and will then compete in the Ladbrokes UK Open from March 5-7 in Milton Keynes – an event he won in 2006 and 2007.

Boris Koltsov has created history as the first Russian player to win a PDC Tour Card after his win on Final Stage Day Four at the European Qualifying School – where Raymond van Barneveld secured his PDC return.

Koltsov has qualified for four World Championships since 2014 and also competed five times in the World Cup of Darts.The 32-year-old will now get the chance to compete full-time on the PDC ProTour after securing an automatic Tour Card on the final day of the 2021 PDC Qualifying Schools.

Koltsov had already earned his Tour Card with his progression through Wednesday’s event, which included wins over Michael Rasztovits, Michael Unterbuchner and Adam Gawlas as he reached the final. He then defeated Niels Zonneveld 6-4 to take victory on Day Four and seal his progression onto the professional circuit in style.

List of the 12 European Tour Card Holders from QS:
Geert De Vos (BEL)
Geert Nentjes (HOL)
Florian Hempel (GER)
Boris Koltsov (RUS)
Martin Schindler (GER)
Raymond van Barneveld (HOL)
Niels Zonneveld (HOL)
Zoran Lerchbacher (AUS)
Adam Gawlas (CZECH REP)
Michael Unterbuchner (GER)
John Michael (GRE)
Robert Marijanovic (GER)