AntwerpAntwerp and Toby Alderweireld (33): the stunt transfer is now also officially completed. The ‘Great Old’ confirmed last week that there was an agreement with Qatar’s Al-Duhail on a definitive transfer. Yesterday Alderweireld completed his physical and medical tests. The Red Devil signs for three seasons at the Bosuil. He will play football with number 23. He also gave his first interview today. “I have been lucky enough to play for many great clubs abroad, but this is the most special.”
A day after the official announcement, Red Devil Toby Alderweireld gave his first interview as an Antwerp player on the club’s channels. “I am very happy to be here,” he says. “It’s been going on for a long time, but now that it’s official it’s hard for me to put into words how I feel. I’ve been lucky enough to play for many great clubs abroad, but this is the most special. If you can defend the club in Belgium and abroad in the city you love so much, I don’t think there is a better fairy tale. I have always been a fan of Antwerp football and the ambition expressed by this club. I am extremely proud to be a part of that from now on.”
“This is also a fantastic step for family. That will give a boost to pop here every week. I chose the number 23, because it is the lucky number of me, my wife and friends. You can’t expect me to suddenly score 20 goals per season, but I am extremely ambitious and always go for the full one hundred percent. I came here to achieve success. I want to make the fans and the club proud. I had a five week holiday and trained as much as possible myself. We’ll see how fit I am, but I feel good. It won’t be long before I’m in top shape.”
Van Bommel: “If you see where he has played, it is not for nothing”
Trainer Mark van Bommel came back to Alderweireld’s arrival in front of the VTM Nieuws camera yesterday after the practice match against Kiev: “Everyone knows Toby. He is an excellent player, who can do more than just play good football. He comes from the city, has leadership qualities and is ready to lead by example. I would of course like to have someone like that. But he can also play football well. When you see where he played. That’s not for nothing. When Toby will be match fit? I do not know. He has certainly not been sitting still and has worked hard individually. Now we want to integrate him into the group as soon as possible. I spoke to him today. About all sorts of things. About where he is going to live, how his family is doing, and so on.”
The transfer had been in the air for some time. In May, Alderweireld attended the match of Antwerp against Anderlecht at the Bosuil in the company of chairman Paul Gheysens and sporting director Marc Overmars. He has also known the Dutchman for some time, Overmars helped Alderweireld with his transfer from Ajax to Atlético. “Overmars and I have a good relationship”, said Alderweireld at the beginning of June for the four-part Nations League with the Red Devils. “Everyone also knows how much I enjoy being in Antwerp and how much I love the city.”
stumbling blocks
However, there were some stumbling blocks that had to be overcome first. On the one hand, the numbers in Alderweireld’s contract. Antwerp simply could not put the amount he earns in the desert on the table. On the other hand, Al-Duhail also wanted to recover part of the sum it paid for Alderweireld. Tottenham collected 5 million euros last summer, an amount that could increase with bonuses.
Germinal Ekeren. Germinal Beerschot. And now Antwerp. Alderweireld completes the circle of the City. The other clubs on his resume are Ajax, Atlético Madrid, Southampton, Tottenham and, most recently, Al-Duhail.
LOOK AT. Alderweireld about his love for Antwerp:
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