Category Archives: TRANSFERS

PSV loan Man City starlet

July 6, 2013 Will Burns Leave a comment

Local Eindhoven newspaper Omroep Brabant are reporting that Philip Cocu has clinched his fourth reinforcement for the PSV squad of the transfer window, with Karim Rekik joining on a season-long loan from English Premier League side Manchester City.

The highly-rated Rekik, an 18-year-old Dutch/Tunisian central defender, will be unveiled and will join up with his new side on Monday.

Rekik signed for Manchester City from Feyenoord in the summer of 2011, and made his debut appearance for the first team in the Dublin Super Cup in pre-season. He made his official first team debut for Manchester City on 21 September 2011 against Birmingham City in the third round of the League Cup, making a substitute appearance. In 2011/12 he was loaned to Portsmouth making eight starts and last season he spent it in the English second tier, The Championship, with Blackburn Rovers, but unfortunately only made five appearances for the Lancashire club.

This is the first deal between the Eindhoven club and Manchester City since beginning a partnership back in May.

————-

Click the name above to follow Will on Twitter.

TotalDutch.wordpress.com WorldFootballWeekly.com

NEWS, TRANSFERS

Ajax loan Bojan from Barca

July 6, 2013 Will Burns 1 Comment

Primera Division Barcelona champions have confirmed that striker Bojan Krkic will spend the 2013-14 season on loan at Eredivisie champions Ajax.

Bojan, 22, has spent the last two previous season on loan in the Serie A in Italy with Roma and AC Milan but after scoring seven goals in Milan, he struggled to gain a place in the first team and managed only three league goals.

The following statement was published on FCBarcelona.com this morning: “FC Barcelona and Ajax Amsterdam have reached agreement for the loan of Bojan Krkic to the Dutch club for the 2013-14 season.

“The Catalan striker – who will be 23 this August, will play under ex-Barca man Frank de Boer, who led Ajax to the Dutch title last season to guarantee a place in next year’s Champions League.”

Bojan made his first-team debut for Barca under then current manager, another Dutchman, Frank Rijkaard, in 2007 and scored 26 league goals in four seasons before heading to Italy.

————-

Click the name above to follow Will on Twitter.

TotalDutch.wordpress.com WorldFootballWeekly.com

NEWS, TRANSFERS

Ajax get Van der Hoorn

July 5, 2013 Will Burns 1 Comment

Ajax have clinched the signature of talented central defender Mike van der Hoorn from FC Utrecht for an undisclosed fee. The powerful Jong Oranje central defender joins Frank de Boer’s Eredivisie champions after some excellent performances in 2012-13 for Utrecht. Van der Hoorn will sign a deal until June 2017 with the Amsterdammers upon completion of his medical.

With the expected departure of centre-back Toby Alderweireld this summer, Ajax were keen to add a new defender to their squad and they see Van der Hoorn as the perfect replacement for the Belgium international.

Van der Hoorn, speaking for the first time about the transfer to Voetbal International, the defender said: “It’s great that the deal was done so quickly, this Wednesday after I’ve had my medical and presentation, I’ll be on the training field for the first time.”

“I’ve had a good discussion with Frank de Boer and afterwards, I was updated regularly by the club while I’ve been on holiday in Mexico. This is a great opportunity for me and I leave Utrecht in a good spirits. The club will play in Europe this year and for me, Utrecht will always be special to me.”

The player has been with Utrecht since 12 years old and was product of the Utrecht youth academy. He made his debut for the first team in 2010-11 and had his breakthrough years last season, playing 44 Eredivisie matches and scoring six goals.

This past summer, the 20-year-old was part of the Jong Oranje squad who made it to the semi-finals of the UEFA’s Under-21s European Championship in Israel, but had a disappointing tournament.

However, on the basis of last season, he should prove to be a great signing for De Boer’s challenge to retain the league title this coming campaign.

————-

Click the name above to follow Will on Twitter.

TotalDutch.wordpress.com WorldFootballWeekly.com

NEWS, TRANSFERS

Van Ginkel signs for Chelsea

July 4, 2013 Will Burns 1 Comment

English Premier League side Chelsea have signed highly-rated midfielder Marco van Ginkel from Vitesse Arnhem. The transfer is worth a reported £8m.

The 20-year-old Dutch international has become new Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho’s second signing of the summer after the arrival of German international Andre Schurrle.

A short statement on Chelsea’s website said: “Chelsea Football Club and Vitesse Arnhem have reached an agreement for the transfer of Marco van Ginkel. The player will join Chelsea subject to a medical, agreement of personal terms and legal documentation.”

20-year-old Van Ginkel joined Vitesse at just seven years old and has progressed through their academy. He made his Eredivisie debut for the club on 9th April 2010 replacing Nicky Hofs in the 67th minute as the Arnhem club fell to a 4–1 defeat to RKC Waalwijk.

The midfielder made his international debut against Germany in a 0-0 draw last November and was included in the Jomng Oranje squad for the recent Under-21 European Championships in Israel.

He was a regular last season and emerged as one of Vitesse’s star performers as the team secured a fourth placed finish in the Eredivisie.

————-

Click the name above to follow Will on Twitter.

TotalDutch.wordpress.com WorldFootballWeekly.com

NEWS, TRANSFERS

Cocu Revolution continues – enter Adam Maher

June 30, 2013 Will Burns 2 Comments

PSV technical manager Marcel Brands announced on Sunday evening that AZ Alkmaar and the Eindhoven club have reached an financial agreement for Jong Oranje midfielder Adam Maher. This is third signing of new head coach Philip Cocu.

The 19-year-old will undergo a medical on Monday will discuss personal terms before signing a five-year contract. If the deal is completed he will join up with his new team-mates at pre-season training on Monday July 8th.

Philip Cocu and Brands are working day and night trying to compile a team to challenge for the Eredivisie championship next season. Maher joins signings Florian Jozefzoon and Jeffrey Bruma, alongside the returning goalkeeper Jeroen Zoet, as the fourth new face for the PSV squad for next season.

Brands stated that he is very happy with the transfer of Maher. “It is a long-cherished desire to get Adam. With him arriving, we have a very talented player that fits into the philosophy of PSV Eindhoven. We are very happy with this deal, because we really think he can contribute massively to the future success of this club.”

Maher tortured his new club PSV in the KNVB Beker final on 9th May this year, and AZ Alkmaar ended running out 2-1 winners that day.

————-

Click the name above to follow Will on Twitter.

TotalDutch.wordpress.com WorldFootballWeekly.com

NEWS, TRANSFERS

Groningen invest in defence

June 28, 2013 Will Burns 1 Comment

After the sale of Virgil van Dijk to Celtic, FC Groningen have acted quickly to replace the big man and also bring in a new left-back.

Eric Botteghin and Giliano Wijnaldum arrive at the Euroborg

Arriving for the centre of defence is Eric Botteghin from NAC Breda. The Brazilian, with an Italian passport, stated he made the move so that he can play European football.

Botteghin said: “The people here are similar clubs as NAC Breda, with fanatical fans, but in Groningen, the sporting ambitions a lot bigger and that appeals to me. I have come here to get to the playoffs and play European football.”

It was revealed that Botteghin also spoke with Heerenveen, but had a better feeling for FC Groningen.

Also arriving is young left-back, Giliano Wijnaldum from AZ Alkmaar. The 20-year-old signs as a free transfer from AZ and signed a two-year contract. The brother of PSV midfielder Georginio stated he has arrived at the Euroborg Stadion to progress as a player.

“I am very glad I signed here,” said Wijnaldum “For me, FC Groningen is a step forward. Especially since I have here the opportunity to develop myself further, and that feels good.”

————-

Click the name above to follow Will on Twitter.

TotalDutch.wordpress.com WorldFootballWeekly.com

NEWS, TRANSFERS

The Cocu Revolution begins…

June 27, 2013 Will Burns 2 Comments

In the past two weeks PSV Eindhoven have secured over €14 million in transfer fees, and new manager Philip Cocu has started pumping the funds back into the team, a team that he is building for success.

Belgian left-winger Dries Mertens was shipped off to the Serie A on Monday, where he signed for Napoli for a rumoured €9 million. While Jeremain Lens is off to Ukraine, signing for Dynamo Kiev last week for a reported €5 million. Former PSV player, Cocu who took over from Dick Advocaat as the team’s head coach in May, now has the money to splash to work on his project.

The pressure is on the new manager to build a team to try and stop Frank de Boer’s Ajax run of Eredivisie championships, and today he added his first two recruits to the Eindhoven squad.

Central defender Jeffrey Bruma signs from Chelsea

PSV technical director Marcel Brands confirmed that the club reached an agreement with Chelsea for the transfer of 21-year-old central defender Jeffrey Bruma. Bruma, who joins PSV from the Europa League champions after being borrowed to Hamburg of the Bundesliga for the past two seasons, will sign a four-year contract. The Rotterdam-born defender made his full Netherlands debut in August 2010. Chelsea have agreed that the contract includes a buy-back clause.

Winger Florian Jozefzoon arrives from RKC Waalwijk

Also, arriving on Monday will be Florian Jozefzoon from RKC Waalwijk. The winger will sign a three-year contract with an option of a further year. Jozefzoon recently made appearances for the Jong Oranje at the Under-21 European Championships in Israel. Jozefzoon, who was born in French Guiana, will report for duty on Monday, 8 July, along with the other international players who have competed over the summer.

With both these players arriving on Monday, subject to medicials, it is a hotly rumoured that AZ Alkmaar wonderkid Adam Maher is next on Cocu’s shopping list, which would be a major coup for the Eindhoven club.

————-

Click the name above to follow Will on Twitter.

TotalDutch.wordpress.com WorldFootballWeekly.com

NEWS, TRANSFERS

Van Dijk joins Celtic

June 22, 2013 Will Burns 1 Comment

In a major coup for the Glasgow club, Netherlands Under-21 centre-back Virgil van Dijk has signed a four-year contract with Scottish champions Celtic.

The highly sought 21-year-old has joined in a £2.6m deal from FC Groningen, for whom he made 37 appearances last season, with a 10% sell-on fee for the Dutch club.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon stated: “Delighted that we have acquired Virgil van Dijk… a highly talented young player.”

Virgil van Dijk – the big centre-back has signed a four-year deal at Scottish champions Celtic

Van Dijk moved to FC Groningen from Willem II in 2011 and had two years left on his contract at Groningen, and the young defender stated his delight in signing for the SPL champions and looking for to playing in the Champions League.

“Celtic is the biggest club in Scotland and they also play in the Champions League,” he said. “They’re a fantastic club and when Celtic came in for me I was so excited. Everything here is good so I can’t wait to get started.”

Standing at a massive 6ft 4inches, Van Dijk should fit right in the rough and tumbles of the SPL: “I hope to play many games for my country in the future but first of all I want to make things happen here. I’m a strong defender and I’m good in the air, but I also like to play football on the ground, and I hope that we’ll do even better than we did last season. I think I can bring something extra to the team and we will see how it works out. I’m ready for everything. I love to play football but I do love getting into duels.”

The pull of Champions League football seems to be the main reason the Jong Oranje defender has joined The Hoops and the Champions League qualifying draw will be made on 24 June, with Celtic’s first match scheduled for 19th or 20th July.

————-

Click the name above to follow Will on Twitter.

TotalDutch.wordpress.com WorldFootballWeekly.com

NEWS, TRANSFERS

NEWS: Twente sign young stopper

May 28, 2013 Will Burns Leave a comment

With the clumsy Sander Boschker in the dog house and first choice keeper Nikolai Mihaylov rumoured to be on his way, FC Twente have made their second signing of the summer a goalkeeper.

Sonny Stevens, 21 next month, has signed a four year deal with the Enschede club from Eerste Divisie side FC Volendam with an option to add another year.

The 6ft 4inch tall stopper made 42 appearances for Volendam since making his debut on 21st September 2010 in a KNVB Beker match at HVV Hollandia.

Since the departure of now FC Utrecht goalkeeper Robbin Ruiter from Volendam, Stevens became first choice. Volendam made a good go at promotion this year falling at the last hurdle in the playoffs against Go Ahead Eagles next week.

Current first choice, Bulgarian ‘keeper Mihaylov has been linked with Premier League side Fulham and with Boschker making disastrous mistakes as of late, Stevens may find himself receiving the number one shirt at Twente, sooner rather than later.

Twente’s first signing of the summer was Dutch youth international Kyle Ebecilio from Arsenal on a free transfer. Ebecilio, like Stevens, also signed a four year contract.

————–

Click the name above to follow Will on Twitter.

————–

http://TotalDutch.wordpress.com

http://www.WorldFootballWeekly.com

EREDIVISIE, NEWS, TRANSFERS

NEWS: Zwolle sign Mokotjo

May 10, 2013 Will Burns Leave a comment

Zwolle sign Mokotjo on a three-year deal

Defensive midfielder Kamohelo Mokotjo has signed a three-year deal with PEC Zwolle on a free transfer from Feyenoord. He is the first summer acquisition for Zwolle and the transfer will be made official on July 1st when the European Transfer Window opens.

The 22-year-old South African previously played for SuperSport United in his homeland before moving to the Netherlands in 2008 where he signed with Feyenoord, who subsquently loaned him to feeder club Excelsior.

Mokotjo states he is delighted with his move to Zwolle. “I was ready for a new challenge and I am happy with this opportunity.

“A few weeks ago the club showed some interest in me and after an initial discussion with Zwolle coach Ron Jans and technical director Gerard Nijkamp, I was positive that something good would happen.

“This season Zwolle have done well in all competitions. They also have a great stadium, a good vibe and big crowds that I can’t wait to play in front of,” he tells PECZwolle.nl

Nijkamp says he is pleased with their acquisition. “For PEC Zwolle, Kamohelo Mokotjo is a real asset. He is the type of player that we do not have. He creates the perfect balance in midfield and creates space. We are very happy that it has worked out as we have wanted this player for a long time,” he adds.

——-

Click the name above to follow Will on Twitter.

——-

http://TotalDutch.wordpress.com

http://www.WorldFootballWeekly.com

EREDIVISIE, NEWS, TRANSFERS

NEWS: The future of De Jong?

May 6, 2013 Will Burns Leave a comment

Siem de Jong (left) may not be returning to win a fourth title with Ajax next season

Yesterday, Siem de Jong won the third consecutive champion with Ajax but the question is whether the club captain will be in Amsterdam next season when Frank de Boer’s side attempt to win the fourth title in a row.

“I decide this summer exactly what I’ll do next,” said De Jong speaking to Eredivisie Live on Sunday afternoon after the win against Willem II. “If a club attracts me and I will leave here with a very good feeling about it.”

For now, no club has contacted Ajax in regards to a transfer for the midfielder, but it is known that he hopes to make the step into a different league with a new challenge. The three-time title winner spoke earlier in the season with a preference of a move to a Germany. However, he states he will not just say ‘yes’ to any offer from the Bundesliga.

“The Bundesliga really appeals to me, but it depends mainly on what club is coming for me. I will choose a club what is right for me, rather than the competition but first let’s see if there is a club interested in me.”

————–

Click the name above to follow Will on Twitter.

————–

http://TotalDutch.wordpress.com

http://www.WorldFootballWeekly.com

NEWS, TRANSFERS

NEWS: Serbian pair to join Benfica in July

May 3, 2013 Will Burns Leave a comment

Today, Eredivisie side SC Heerenveen announced that Serbian playmaker Filip Djuricic will join Portuguese giants Benfica on July 1st when the European transfer window opens. He will be joined in Portugal by fellow Serbian Miralem Sulejmani (formerly of Heerenveen) whom will join from Ajax on a free transfer.

Twenty-one year old Djuricic, had attracted interest from big clubs in Holland, but the Portuguese side has beaten them all for the midfielder’s signature. The transfer fee have not been disclosed at this time, but the deal has been confirmed on Heerenveen’s official website and it is understood that both players have signed five-year contracts.

Technical director Johan Hansma released a statement on the club’s official website: “It’s good for our club that Djuricic is leaving for a big European side. As football fans we regret the departure of Filip, because he gave us a lot of wonderful moments but Filip is ready for his next step in his career and we wish him all the best.”

Waving goodbye to Ajax – Miralem Sulejmani

Sulejmani, 24, has been a bit of an outcast at Ajax, the Amsterdammers had paid €16.25 million to Heerenveen for him, breaking the Dutch transfer-record in July of 2008, but he will leave the club on a free. The attacker has made a total of 158 appearances for Ajax, and has 38 goals to his name.

————-

Click the name above to follow Will on Twitter.

————–

http://TotalDutch.wordpress.com

http://www.WorldFootballWeekly.com