Eredivisie starts: these old acquaintances are back on the Dutch fields | NOW

After 82 days, the Eredivisie wakes up from its summer slumber on Friday evening with a match between sc Heerenveen and Sparta Rotterdam. A striking number of old acquaintances returned to the highest Dutch level this summer, apart from the likely return of Jasper Cillessen at NEC. An overview.

Luuk de Jong (31, from Sevilla to PSV)

As a pinchhitter, Luuk de Jong conquered the hearts of FC Barcelona fans last season. With his effective headers, the Sevilla mercenary had a large share in the advance of the Catalans after the winter break. Interest in De Jong was therefore great, but the attacker already committed himself to PSV at an early stage of the transfer period. With the 38-time international in the ranks, the people of Eindhoven are chasing the first national title since 2017/2018, when De Jong acted as attack leader. The striker was also immediately appointed captain by the new PSV coach Ruud van Nistelrooij.

Jonathan de Guzman (34, from OFI Crete to Sparta Rotterdam)

Jonathan de Guzman broke through at Feyenoord in the middle of the first decade of this century and now has to take care of the routine with the fellow townsman at the age of 34. The Canadian born, who was part of the Orange squad that won bronze at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, has earned his living at OFI Crete for the past two years. Between 2010 and 2020, De Guzman had been active in Europe’s big four leagues: La Liga, Premier League, Serie A and Bundesliga. Sparta needed a final sprint last season to maintain itself in the Eredivisie and will hope that De Guzman contributes to ensuring that such a catch-up race is not necessary this season.

Jonathan de Guzman is one of the most experienced Eredivisie players this season.

Silvester van der Water (25, from Orlando City to SC Cambuur)

Finally Jaap Stam has a successor. The iconic defender was considered the most expensive purchase of SC Cambuur for decades, but Silvester van der Water has been wearing that title since this summer. The formation from Leeuwarden was willing to pay about half a million euros to separate the attacker from Orlando City. Van der Water mainly made a name for himself in the Netherlands at Heracles Almelo, where he provided the necessary spectacle with his many dribbles.

Yassin Ayoub (28, from Panathinaikos to Excelsior)

In January 2019, Yassin Ayoub recorded the final score during the memorable Classic in which Feyenoord settled 6-2 with Ajax. There was no breakthrough in De Kuip, after which a transfer to Panathinaikos followed in early 2020. Ayoub did not become a fixed value at the Greek top club either. Provided that the midfielder is fit, it will of course be at Excelsior, which secured an Eredivisie ticket in a memorable play-off last season at the expense of ADO Den Haag.

Richairo Zivkovic (25, from Red Star to FC Emmen)

Already on December 2, 2012, Richairo Zivkovic made his debut in the Eredivisie on behalf of FC Groningen. The teenager was good for no fewer than eleven goals in the 2013/2014 season and with that production, he drew the attention of foreign top clubs. Ajax won the fight for Zivkovic, but there was no question of a successful marriage. The attacker was confronted every season with new competitors and had to make do with appearances in the U23 teams. After periods on a rental basis at Willem II and FC Utrecht, Zivkovic started a tour of foreign clubs in 2017. He visited the Chinese Changchun Yatai and, on a blue Monday, Sheffield United.

Richairo Zivkovic in 2012 as a top talent of FC Groningen.

Bas Dost (33, from Club Brugge to FC Utrecht)

Cyriel Dessers, Giorgos Giakoumakis and also Sébastien Haller: players who crown themselves as Eredivisie top scorer often make a transfer very quickly. Bas Dost already did the same in 2012, when he finished first in the ranking of goal getters on behalf of sc Heerenveen with no fewer than 32 goals. The attacker moved to VfL Wolfsburg, where he grew into a valued force. More successful seasons abroad followed. In the service of Sporting CP, Dost was even crowned Portugal’s top scorer in 2016/2017. For the past year and a half, the attacker was under contract with Club Brugge, with which he was crowned champion of Belgium twice.

Steven Bergwijn (24, from Tottenham Hotspur to Ajax)

Mutual flirtation finally led to a transfer in early July. For an amount of 31.25 million euros (a club record), Steven Bergwijn made the switch from Tottenham Hotspur to Ajax. Last winter, the attacker already seemed to be on his way to Amsterdam. Partly due to his striking performance during a duel with Leicester City, in which he gave his team the victory with two goals in injury time, manager Antonio Conte still kept the Orange international in London. However, Bergwijn was unable to work his way up to basic strength, leaving ‘Spurs’ open to a departure.

Steven Bergwijn was already accurate for Ajax in the 3-5 loss against PSV for the Johan Cruijff Scale.

Zakaria Bakkali (26, from Anderlecht to RKC Waalwijk)

“Zakaria’s talent is indisputable and it is an important pillar within this club to get started.” Was signed: Frank van Mosselveld, the director of RKC Waalwijk. Nine years ago, Bakkali seemed to be on the eve of a great career as PSV’s top talent. The dribbler even became the youngest player ever with an Eredivisie hat-trick by scoring three times against NEC. Due to injuries and contract issues, Bakkali was never able to fulfill his promise and even after his departure from Eindhoven, the technician only showed flashes of his class at Valencia and Anderlecht, among others.

Oussama Idrissi (26, from Sevilla to Feyenoord)

Oussama Idrissi has not been away from the Dutch fields for so long. In the second half of the 2020/2021 season, the left winger was leased by Sevilla to Ajax, for which he did not score in seven Eredivisie matches. Last season, Idrissi again went for his chance at the multiple Europa League winner, but once again playing time on a regular basis was not in it. A rental period to Cádiz followed. At Feyenoord, Idrissi will work with Arne Slot, under whom he delivered his best performance at AZ.

Nick Viergever (33, from Greuther Fürth to FC Utrecht)

Due to the retirement of Willem Janssen, an extra dose of experience could not hurt FC Utrecht and Nick Viergever naturally meets that need. The defender, who turned 33 this week, has already played 299 Eredivisie matches. A blemish on his career is that Viergever never became national champion, although he played for Ajax for four seasons and defended the PSV colors for three years. He left the latter club in 2021 for Greuther Fürth, with which he was relegated from the Bundesliga without a chance.