Category Archives: TRANSFERS

Tottenham linked to young Ajax defender

July 8, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

Prior to the World Cup and before every other player in The Netherlands squad was being linked with moves away, Ajax Director of Football, Marc Overmars issued a warning to Premier League clubs that Joel Veltman would not be leaving the Amsterdam ArenA. Despite the hands-off warning, the 22-year-old and links to the Premier League just won’t go away writes Robbie Dunne.

The Dutch centre-back is seen as a long term solution to Spurs’ issues at the back and amid growing worries over Younes Kaboul’s fitness, it appears they need youth and depth in their ranks. Their other centre-half options are Vlad Chiriches, who had a very good debut season in the Premiership, Michael Dawson, won is almost 31 and has injury woes of his own, and Jan Vertonghen, who is an Ajax Academy player himself and has been linked with moves away, along with not being happy to have been played out of position under Tim Sherwood and Andre Villas Boas.

Veltman played 25 times for Ajax last season and had more impressive stats than every centre-half option in the Spurs’ squad aside from Michael Dawson, who played seven more games.

Veltman moved to Ajax in 2001, having grown up in Velsen, Holland. He made his debut for the first team in 2012 and has been involved in their last two campaigns, last campaign his time on the field saw a dramatic incline, having only featured seven times in in the 2012/13 season. With Ajax having won the Eredivisie yet again, they are set to play Champions League football and with this exposure to the European game, Veltman’s rise is set to continue.

While he possesses the same characteristics that seem innate in so many young Dutch footballers, like being comfortable on the ball, being able to pass out of defense, he is also good in the air and strong in the tackle.

Having spoken with many Dutch experts, they see it increasingly unlikely that a summer move from Ajax will happen, seeing as Veltman is set to anchor Ajax’s first team yet again and needs more time to develop to the demands of the Premier League.

So, all the links to teams such as Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspurs are just wishful thinking? That remains the pressing question. Can Veltman afford to perhaps spend a season in the middle of his development on the bench? Would Arsenal, Spurs or Manchester United be better off allowing him to develop his talents further, arrange a fee perhaps in January and allow Veltman transition into his role as a superstar in the Premier League.

While the development of such a player remains a priority, it would be wise for the clubs looking at the classy centre-back to arrange a fee before the €3.5 million he is valued at turns into a fee that is astronomically higher.

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NEWS, PLAYER SPOTLIGHT, TRANSFERS

WHO IS SOUTHAMPTON’S NEW SIGNING DUSAN TADIC?

July 8, 2014 Will Burns 1 Comment

Ronald Koeman has made FC Twente winger Dušan Tadić his first signing at Premier League side Southampton. The Dutchman has parted with up to £11million to bring the winger to the St. Marys Stadium. Earlier this month, Southampton saw their player of the season, Adam Lallana leave for Liverpool in a massive £25million move. Tadić will be set to fill the England international’s boots, for almost a third of the price and he may turn out to be the perfect replacement writes Will Burns.

WHO IS DUSAN TADIC?

Dušan Tadić started out in his hometown with local side FK AIK Bačka Topola and was quickly picked up by top Serbian SuperLiga side FK Vojvodina in 2002 at aged 12. After moving through the youth ranks, he made his full debut at aged 18.

Tadić’s life in the Netherlands began in the summer of 2010 when he joined FC Groningen for just over €1 million. By the time he had turned 21, the left winger had impressed Groningen’s sporting director Hans Nijland scoring 29 goals in 107 outgoings over four seasons, and also making his international debut just 19-years old.

Nijland was the man that signed a little known Uruguayan striker called Luis Suarez a few years earlier and had reportedly seen off Sampdoria, CSKA Moscow and even Marseille for Tadić’s signature.

Tadić rapidly adapted to life in Holland and repaid the transfer fee over the two seasons playing 68 games notching 14 times. A star was born and in the April of 2012, FC Twente, then managed by Englishman Steve McClaren, made a huge €7.7 million bid for the Serb. The move was made official in the summer transfer window in July of that year.

In a dream start for Tadić, he scored twice against his former club Groningen on his first appearance, becoming an instant hit in Enschede. However, it was last season where the winger made his strongest impact. He was named Twente’s player of the season after scoring 16 goals in 33 games adding 14 assists in the process.

After missing the opening day of the 2013/14 season due to injury, his finest performance of the campaign may well have been the week after. It was a match at the rabid venue called ‘De Kuip’, the home of Dutch giants Feyenoord. Twente walked out of Rotterdam that day 4-1 winners against a Ronald Koeman managed side. Mr. Tadić was named man of the match after scoring two penalties and creating the other two. That result and performance may very well establish why Koeman wants to make the Serbian international his first signing at Southampton.

WHAT DOES TADIC BRING TO THE SAINTS?

A technically gifted left-winger, the two greatest talents at Tadić’s disposal is his exceptional passing and accurate crossing. Throughout his career in the Dutch top flight, his deliveries from corners and free-kicks have resulted in many goals being scored. Combine this with the capability to cut inside and carve up any defence with a killer ball, provides you of the main reasons for his many assists.

He will find space with his great movement and also has the uncanny talent to trick his opponent into the other direction, to gain that extra yard to accelerate past and supply the cross. If he cannot find a way to navigate past a full-back, he will look to swerve the ball past the player and into the box.

Tadić also has the benefit of being a good decision maker and is considerate with his play. If he sees a colleague in a superior position, then the ball will be played into his team-mate, no doubt about it. If he sees trouble ahead, then the ball will be turned around and played behind him so that his team keeps the possession.

Koeman may make the decision to drop Tadić into the middle of the park, behind the striker and the Serbian will feel right at home in the no. 10 role. He will keep the ball on the grass, feeding into his striker’s awaiting feet or patiently holding up play for the wingers to overlap and approach the area.

One thing is for sure is that I can see Dušan Tadić creating chances for the Saints. If Southampton go ahead and sign Graziano Pellè too, then the Italian will certainly thrive off the crosses that will be heading his way.

THE STATS (provided by OPTA’s Martijn Hilhorst)

Let’s see how Tadić compares with the rest of Europe when creating chances?

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EREDIVISIE, NEWS, TRANSFERS

The Freddy Adu world tour continues at AZ Alkmaar

July 7, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

So Freddy Adu, has hit another country on his world tour. This trial is at AZ, and there is very few players in USA soccer history who are as decisive as Freddy.

When Freddy was forced upon the scene in the States the sport was very different. We didn’t have as many teams as we do now, there were teams in Miami and Tampa in the MLS, and there wasn’t an academy system. And 14 year olds weren’t being drafted playing in the major leagues. More on that later. For those who are wondering why Freddy has landed in AZ, their technical director is former DC United player Earnie Stewart, who knows Freddy from their days at DC United, and Earnie will take American National Team players, he had Jozy Altidore before he went off to Sunderland.

Freddy was forced upon the American soccer community at 14 because the sport was looking for their next great player. At 14 he was “drafted” by DC United, and put right into the first team, without going overseas to learn the sport in an academy. DC United was managed by Bruce Arena, who had been a successful career in college winning titles. He knew how to develop young talent. It wasn’t long before DC United had given up on Freddy (Bruce left for the US National Team), he was traded with current US National team third goalkeeper Nick Rimando to Real Salt Lake, in 2006. During his three year career with DC United 2004-06 he played in two All Star games, and generally being a young under-developed player. He would play only one year with Real Salt Lake before being transfer in 2007 to Benfica, who would then loan him to AS Monaco, then to Belenenses, to Aris, and his final was to Rizespor in Turkey.

With his European dreams smashed, and becoming a journeymen Freddy gave the MLS another chance, coming back as a DP to the Philadelphia Union, (Designated Player, the MLS has a salary cap, they can pay three players above the salary cap, paid by the league). His return to the MLS was also deemed a failure and was transferred by the Union to a Brazilian second division club Bahia. Freddy, saw three coaches in a month get fired after he came in, and shortly after that he was free transferred by the club on November 7, 2013. By February of the next year Freddy was on trial with Blackpool, who didn’t sign him, and Stabaek of the First Division in Norway who is managed by former USA National Team Manager Bob Bradley. Since the record is that Freddy didn’t stick at any club, he’s at AZ now looking to hold on.

The kid who was nicknamed the “Next Pele” is still only 24, and if someone got a hold of him, righted his mind, could turn him into a decent player. Adu has talent, he’s a good to decent free kick taker, and has some passing ability. Also with some of his trials he’s picked up some defensive skills. The two major problems with Freddy is he’s very small, and very immature. He believes the hype surrounding himself, and carries himself as a well known player who has made it. Even though he hasn’t.

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NEWS, TRANSFERS

Twente coach states Tadic is joining Southampton

July 6, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

FC Twente coach Alfred Schreuder has declared that Dušan Tadić’s impending move to Ronald Koeman’s Southampton should be finalised soon.

This past afternoon, Twente defeated Dutch amateur side VV Oldenzaal 14-1 in a pre-season friendly and Tadić was nowhere to be seen. When questioned on his whereabouts, Twente coach Alfred Schreuder, speaking to RTVOost.nl stated that “Everyone knows he is close to an agreement, we did not want to take a chance with him.”

The interviewer then suggested that could the Serbian be moving to Southampton and Schreuder replied: “There is a big chance that will happen”.

It is reported that the fee will be around €12million and the player will sign a four or five year commitment.

It was understood that La Liga side Sevilla were also interested in the winger but have pulled out of the move due to financial reasons.

Stay posted to TotalDutchFootball.com as we will have more on this story and explain exactly what Tadić will bring to the Saints next season.

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NEWS, TRANSFERS

Finnbogason leaves for La Liga

July 2, 2014 Will Burns 1 Comment

After notching a massive 29 goals in 32 appearances last season for Heerenveen, Icelandic hitman Alfred Finnbogason has clinched a move to the La Liga and Real Sociedad.

The talks between the two clubs have been ongoing throughout the summer, and after an unconfirmed £10m bid from Fulham rejected in the winter, Heerenveen accepted a much lower reported €8m bid from the Basque side. A further €2.5m made be paid out based on future performances from the player.

Finnbogason having passed a medical in San Sebastian this morning, put pen to paper on a four year deal, with an official presentation to be held later this week.

The striker finished top scorer in the Eredivisie last season and has been a revelation in the Dutch top flight over the last two campaigns netting a total of 59 goals.

Finnbogason’s depature leaves a massive hole for the Friezen club and new manager Dwight Lodeweges will have a huge task ahead replacing the Iceland international.

Real Sociedad released the video below to announce the deal.

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NEWS, TRANSFERS

What can Newcastle fans expect from Siem de Jong?

July 2, 2014 Will Burns 1 Comment

Late last night, news broke that Ajax had sold another club captain. This time round, it was Siem de Jong that was leaving the Eredivisie for the Premier League and joining Newcastle United writes Will Burns.

De Jong put pen to paper on a six-year deal and he will give the Magpies the creative attacking midfielder they have been longing for since the departure of Yohan Cabaye last January. He is the elder brother of Borussia Monchengladbach striker Luuk de Jong, who spent a frustrating six months on loan at St. James Park during the second half of the last season.

Factfile

– Although, De Jong represents the Dutch national team, he was actually born in Aigle, Switzerland on 28th January 1989.

– After moving to the Netherlands at the age of six, Siem joined local club DZC’68 in city of Doetinchem, before switching to De Graafschap.

– De Jong moved onto the famous Ajax youth set-up in 2005 and competed at every level until he made his first team debut in September 2007, as a substitute against Kozakken Boys in the KNVB Beker.

– After his debut, he went from strength to strength and made 244 appearances in all competitions over seven successful seasons, scoring 78 times.

– Was made club captain by manager Frank de Boer in the summer of 2012, and went on to lead Ajax to the Eredivisie title in 2012/13 and 2013/14.

– He has won four Eredivisie championships in four consecutive years from the 2010/11 campaign as well as lifting one KNVB Beker (2009/10) and one Johan Cruyff Schaal (2013/14).

– De Jong has represented Oranje at every level from under-17 to the senior side, making his full international debut in August 2010 in a friendly against Ukraine.

– As time of writing, Siem has six full caps with two goals. Both were scored in the same match – a 3-0 friendly victory over Indonesia in June 2013.

What will De Jong give to the Geordies…

The 25-year-old is a hard-working, skilful and intelligent footballer that could be a real hit with the Toon Army. Although due to his lack of strength and the pace of the Premier League, maybe not initially, even though I feel he will adapt quickly.

Once Jan Vertonghen packed his bags and left Amsterdam for dizzy heights of the Premier League to sign for Tottenham Hotspur, Ajax boss Frank de Boer handed De Jong the captain’s armband and his leadership skills shone through. He is very vocal on the pitch, directing and encouraging his team-mates as they reflect his tremendous work rate.

He is at home in the attacking midfielder role, but can also fit in as a striker with great composure in the box. In either role, De Jong can make defenders’ lives difficult with his positioning and awareness, finding space with ease, making himself available for the next pass. Once receiving the ball, he is comfortable technically and he has great vision with a varied range of accurate passing.

The Dutchman, wherever he is selected, is a real threat in front of goal and on the edge of the area. The power in his shots can trouble goalkeepers from great distance, which should get St. James Park on its feet. He really can be a game decider.

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NEWS, TRANSFERS

FC Twente keen on Türüc return

April 7, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

Today’s Algemeen Dagblad suggest both FC Twente and SC Heerenveen are in a two-horse race to sign Deniz Türüc from Deventer side Go Ahead Eagles.

Türüc (21) is an Enschede born product of the FC Twente youth academy and has always stated he’d like to return to his hometown.

The big question is: Can he win the battle for a midfield spot with Chilean star Felipe Gutierrez, who plays in the same position? Or will Gutierrez leave?

In that case, Türüc might be a relatively cheap replacement. Türüc has been a revelation at Go Ahead, but it remains to be seen if he can do the same at a higher level.

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EREDIVISIE, NEWS, TRANSFERS

Feyenoord could be ready to offload assets in plan for future

March 24, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

With Fred Rutten ready to take over the reins at Feyenoord in the summer, the new head coach could have a real battle on his hands in an attempt to keep the current youthful squad together.

Although it has been suggested, should Rutten wish to bring his own players in to match his vision for the Rotterdam club, he will have to cash in on some of the club’s stars to finance his own moves.

Italian striker Graziano Pellè is thought to be the first to pack his bags. Although the Lecce-born hitman has notched 47 goals in 53 appearances, his bad behaviour off the pitch has been frowned upon and the Rotterdam club could receive up to €7m for the 28-year-old.

Three of the younger players in particular have impressed this season and they are already on the radar of top European clubs. However, Jean-Paul Boëtius and Tonny Vilhena are under deals until the summer of 2016, young defender Terence Kongolo (pictured above) has just a season left on his contract.

Feyenoord’s general manager Martin van Geel is working hard on persuading the three starlets to extend their current agreements as they do not want to see them leave in the summer. Vilhena (19) and Boëtius (20) have impressed tremendously this term, with Vilhena managing two goals and five assists and Boëtius notching eight goals and eight assists.

Meanwhile, 20-year-old central defender Kongolo only recently pinned down a place in the starting line-up and he has a total of 11 league outings this season.

Although, Van Geel is desperate to tie down Boëtius, Kongolo and Vilhena, he may be willing to move on some more experienced youngsters. Defender Stefan de Vrij has been linked with moves away since last summer when Premier League side Everton were said to be looking at the 22-year-old.

Bruno Martins Indi and Jordy Clasie are set to be on display in Brazil this summer for Louis van Gaal’s Netherlands. The TV cameras will be beaming the World Cup finals across the globe, which puts these two players directly in the shop window. Martins Indi and Clasie, both 22, themselves have been rumoured to be leaving Rotterdam over the last few transfer windows but are also under contract until 2016.

Portugal-born defender Martins Indi was also linked with Everton as well as Arsenal but a move to neither club has materialised. With young hopes like Kongolo ready to step up into the Feyenoord defence, then moves for Martins Indi and De Vrij may happen come July.

Clasie, has just been named club captain and in recent months has been mooted with a move to England himself with Liverpool. However, before the midfielder signed his contract extension last summer a move to the Serie A with Fiorentina was openly denied by the club. He is the player that Feyenoord can hope to make the biggest amount of profit on, should they choose to.

Whatever happens in the summer, it certainly seems that times are changing for the Rotterdam club, whether or not these adjustments can be positive for Fred Rutten and his team, time will tell.

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EREDIVISIE, NEWS, TRANSFERS

Ajax sign Zivkovic

March 17, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

Tonight Ajax confirmed that they have reached an agreement with FC Groningen to sign 17-year-old forward Richairo Zivkovic in the summer. The teenager has signed a three-year contract and will cost the Amsterdammers a reported fee of €2.5m while Groningen will receive 10% of any future transfer fee.

Zivkovic was born in the Netherlands on September 5, 1996, to a Serbian mother and a Curacaoan father. He has been at FC Groningen’s youth academy since he was 11 years old.

The tall, quick forward already has accolades to his name, undoubtedly the honour of being the youngest ever player from FC Groningen to score an Eredivisie goal. He notched the goal after just spending five minutes of the pitch as a substitute in the opening game of this season, a 4-1 away win against NEC Nijmegen – he was still sixteen at the time.

Zivkovic made his first team debut in December 2012 however, this season he has already scored six goals to his name – the latest of which came in the 2-1 defeat at Den Haag this past Saturday.

The youngster had attracted attention from all over Europe and amongst those clubs were Liverpool, with Brendan Rodgers reportedly impressed with Zivkovic.

Zivkovic himself ruled out leaving the Eredivisie as he stated he wanted to stay in the country, which all but ruled out joining the Premier League side and Ajax director Marc Overmars has been vocal in the club’s pursuit of Zivkovic.

Talking to Ajax TV, Zivkovic said: “Ajax is a fantastic club with a fantastic stadium, from being a boy I have been an Ajax fan.

“I have good competition here at Ajax, but I’m quite confident as I am someone who adapts quickly. I hope to play as much as possible.”

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EREDIVISIE, NEWS, TRANSFERS

West Brom, West Ham on guard as Feyenoord set to sell star striker

March 16, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

It is understood that Feyenoord are willing to cash in on top scorer Graziano Pellè after his latest misbehaviour. Which may make a flurry of Premier League and Serie A clubs vie for the striker’s signature.

Pellè has been in prolific form ever since his permanent transfer from Parma in 2013 netting twenty goals in 24 appearances in Eredivisie so far this campaign. Also, last season, the Italian netted 25 times while on loan from Parma and made the move to the Netherlands permanent in the summer for a reported €3 million.

However, the relationship between player and the Rotterdam club have turned sour and Voetbal international report that Feyenoord director Martin van Gaal is evaluating whether to sell their star striker after a series of negative incidents cast doubts over his temperament.

The striker was recently stripped of the captaincy after he appeared to throw an elbow at Ajax defender Joel Veltman in Feyenoord’s 2-1 loss in De Klassieker two weeks ago. In the post match interview, he insulted Fox Sports reporter Jan Joost van Gangelen and stated that he was an Ajax fan and he had “the face of an Ajax supporter”.

News of a potential sale will alert the likes of West Bromwich Albion and West Ham United and also many clubs back in Italy, who were reported to have been tracking Pellè in the winter transfer window.

The news that new Feyenoord manager next season, Fred Rutten, will have to sell first if he wishes to strengthen the squad for next year’s Eredivisie campaign may mean it’s more likely that Pellè will be on his way.

It would make sense that a 28-year-old would be moved on, rather than sell young talent like Jordy Clasie, Bruno Martins Indi or Jean-Paul Boëtius, whom they may be able to cash in for more profits in future years.

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DUTCHMEN ABROAD, NEWS, TRANSFERS

Celtic set to lose commanding defender?

March 9, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

Celtic’s Dutch central defender Virgil van Dijk is set to leave the Scottish Premiership champions at the end of the season according to his agent, Henk-Maarten Chin.

The 22-year old has been a revelation in the Celtic defence this season since his £2.6 million summer move from FC Groningen last year.

Due to his success he has been linked with a move away throughout the season with a host of Barclays Premier League clubs, including Manchester United and Manchester City waiting in the wings to take the big Dutchman to the North-West of England.

Yesterday, his agent, Henk-Maarten Chin, stated that the Celtic defender could certainly be leaving Parkhead in the summer, although he did admit no club has bid so far.

Speaking to the Scotsman, Chin said: “There is certainly interest. Many English clubs are interested in him – many top clubs. They watch him and are very keen but there has been no official approach for Virgil yet, but that will come after the season ends.

“There’s certainly far more interest in him than we could have dreamed of and I expect something will happen for him this summer.”

“Celtic were completely outplayed by Barcelona, but Virgil was the only player who was OK and against AC Milan, he made a great impression in his battles against a top player like Mario Balotelli.”

The player is yet to comment on his agent’s words but one thing is for sure, it is every player’s dream to play for his country and since Van Dijk’s move to Scotland, he has been overlooked by Oranje coach Louis van Gaal despite the defender’s incredible form.

Van Gaal has been selecting young Eredivisie defenders like Ajax’s Joel Veltman, Feyenoord’s pair Stefan de Vrij and Terence Kongolo, PSV’s Jeffrey Bruma and Karim Rekik while these five players have showed weaknesses all season that Virgil has not.

Anyone who watched the Eredivisie last season will be shocked by Van Dijk’s exclusion in the Dutch squad but will not be surprised by the interest shown in him by other clubs. In fact I remember writing at the start of the season, my shock that this player chose Celtic to advance his career.

No disrespect to Scottish champions, as I am fully aware of the massive size and support of the club but I honestly thought a move to the Premiership, where the big money and the vast exposure is available for players, would have suited Van Dijk and especially his agent better.

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EREDIVISIE, NEWS, TRANSFERS

Introducing Zwolle new-boy Trent Sainsbury

January 31, 2014 Will Burns 1 Comment

PEC Zwolle today announced the signing of exciting young Aussie Trent Sainsbury from the Central Coast Mariners. The deal has been confirmed by both PEC and Mariners with the reported transfer fee being $AU350,000 (E225,000) with some provision for future bonuses for the Mariners. The bonus provision nearly apparently scuppered the deal due to some confusion about what entitlement the Football Federation Australia had to any future bonuses, but all was resolved in the end. He had less than 6 months left on his contract so the transfer fee is understandable.

So what are PEC getting for their money? Well the simple answer is that they are getting undoubtedly the most promising young defender from the A-League. At 22 years of age he has already played over 60 games at A-League and Asian Champions League level. He formed a formidable partnership with Patrick Zwaanswijk in the heart of the Mariners defence last season that lead the club to their first Championship and he was named in the Team of the Week 9 times throughout the season as well as in the Team of the Season. He was also runner-up in the Young Player of the Year Award, which was eventually won by Marco Rojas who has since joined Stuttgart. He has been capped numerous times for the Australian U/20 side.

Sainsbury is an imposing central defence player who is great in the air and with his head. He has a good understanding of the game coupled with great stamina and determination. He is known as a very laid-back character who likes to make a joke and this personality will fit in well into any dressing room. He trialed last season with Southampton and then came very close to signing with Basle in the off-season so this move can be viewed as a bit of a coup for PEC Zwolle.

The move to a ‘smaller’ Eredivisie club should provide him with the opportunity to get regular game time whilst not facing the pressures associated with joining a bigger club. PEC are having a good season and he should be joining a squad in good spirits. Hopefully he becomes a regular in PEC’s starting side with the lure of pressing for a World Cup place, particularly given the unfortunate injury to Rhys Williams from Middlesbrough this week.

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EREDIVISIE, NEWS, TRANSFERS

BIG LACHMAN TO JOIN TWENTE

January 29, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

PEC Zwolle’s Darryl Lachman is off to Enschede at the end of the season, as the 24-year-old central defender has signed a three-year contract with FC Twente.

Out of contract in the summer, Lachman will join Twente on a free transfer in June, but according to Zwolle’s technical director Gerard Nijkamp, he stated that it is possible that the defender could leave this week.

“The transfer window does not close until Friday at midnight, so it is uncertain whether Darryl completes the season with us so Twente wishes to take him earlier for a fee.” Nijkamp said Wednesday.

The 6ft 2inch Lachman has been a great asset for Zwolle this season, appearing in 16 games and helping his side to four clean sheets. His impressive performances have gained interest from the likes of PSV, Werder Bremen, Heerenveen and Fulham over recent weeks.