Feyenoord

Dirk Kuyt has announced his retirement from football after helping Feyenoord win this season's Eredivisie title.

The former Liverpool striker confirmed his decision on Wednesday, days after scoring a hat-trick in the 3-1 win over Heracles that secured the club's first league title since 1999, per Kristof Terreur of Belgian publication Het Laatste Nieuws:

Kuyt leaves the game as a league champion after inspiring Feyenoord to the title in his second spell with the club. His goals to win the league also confirmed his distinction as the most efficient marksman during his time in the Dutch top flight, per OptaJohan:

Kuyt first left Feyenoord in 2006 to join Premier League side Liverpool. He helped the Reds to a UEFA Champions League final appearance in his first season, where he scored in a 2-1 defeat to AC Milan. The former Netherlands international also won the Carling Cup with Liverpool in 2012.

James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo saluted the commitment the forward showed during his stint with the Merseyside club:

Yet the 36-year-old will ultimately be remembered best for what he achieved in Rotterdam. He returned to Feyenoord in 2015, and his experience and eye for goal have proved invaluable for manager and former Arsenal man Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

Speaking at the club's victory parade on Monday, Kuyt revealed he always believed the title was a realistic possibility for Feyenoord, per BBC Sport: "I knew when I came back two years ago that we could win the championship, and everyone laughed at me when I said so."

Kuyt also called winning the title with Feyenoord "the best moment of my career."

The attacker originally joined Feyenoord from FC Utrecht in 2003. It was a prolific first spell, during which Kuyt earned the captain's armband and formed a deadly double act with future Chelsea and Lille OSC man Salomon Kalou.

Anass Achahbar'dan muhteşem gol pic.twitter.com/Sc291PxPrV

— Buzz Spor (@buzzspor) January 28, 2016

What have you done, Anass Achahbar? 

The 22-year-old Feyenoord striker produced an incredible bit of skill in their Eredivisie match against Heerenveen on Thursday night, controlling the ball with his chest and delivering a stunning overhead kick to equalise.

Anass Achahbar'dan muhteşem gol pic.twitter.com/Sc291PxPrV

— Buzz Spor (@buzzspor) January 28, 2016

Stunning. 

[Twitter] 

Eredivisie side Feyenoord have announced the signing of Dutch defender Khalid Boulahrouz, who will join the Rotterdam club on an initial one-year deal.

The 32-year-old, who has represented the Netherlands on 35 occasions, had been a free agent following his summer exit from Danish side Brondby. He becomes Fred Rutten’s first major signing at De Kuip.

Boulahrouz’s arrival was announced via the club’s official website, after the former Chelsea defender passed a rigorous medical on Monday morning.

The defender, who was born near Rotterdam, expressed a great deal of joy at joining club. He said:

Feyenoord is a fabulous club. I’ve been here on various occasions with the Dutch team. It’s a massive enjoyment to play in this stadium. And it’ll be full with fanatical supporters every two weeks. It’s a bit of a dream come true to be able to play here every two weeks in a Feyenoord jersey. I’m really proud.

Additionally, the player took to social media to celebrate his move.

With Dutch internationals Daryl Janmaat, Bruno Martins Indi and Stefan de Vrij all being linked with summer departures from De Kuip, Boulahrouz’s versatility could become a key asset to Rutten’s side throughout 2014/15.

Feyenoord have already lost last season’s leading scorer, Graziano Pelle, this summer as the Italian striker followed former manager Ronald Koeman to Southampton, via BBC Sport, and Rutten faces a real battle as he looks to build a side capable of success both at home and on the continent.

This season sees the Rotterdam club return to the Champions League after missing out on last year’s competition, and they will be hopeful of securing their route to the group stage for the first time since 2003; Boulahrouz’s experience could be a major boost to Rutten’s squad.

Is Boulahrouz a good signing for the Eredivisie side? Post your thoughts below.

Italian striker Graziano Pelle’s move from Feyenoord to Premier League side Southampton has edged closer to completion as the player skipped the Rotterdam club’s annual charity event at De Kuip.

The Feyenoord man had, per ESPN FC, hit 23 league goals in 2013/14 to finish as the Eredivisie’s second-highest scorer, behind only Alfred Finnbogason, but this latest episode adds further evidence to the feeling that his future lies away from the Dutch giants.

Pelle’s absence from the annual charity event was confirmed on Twitter by Total Dutch Football:

Rumours of Pelle’s pending switch to Southampton are nothing new. Earlier this week, Graeme Bailey of Sky Sports reported that the two clubs were in negotiations regarding a potential deal for the €12 million-rated striker.

Should the transfer be sanctioned, Pelle would be reunited with former manager Ronald Koeman; the 51-year-old swapped Feyenoord for Southampton last month following Mauricio Pochettino’s decision to join Tottenham Hotspur.

Koeman faces a real rebuilding process at Southampton after the sales of Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert and Luke Shaw, and he has already shown interest in signing players from the Eredivisie.

FC Twente’s Dusan Tadic has been strongly linked as a potential long-term replacement (h/t Sky Sports) for Lallana, and it appears that Pelle could be brought in to replicate the goals vacated by Lambert’s sale.

Despite Pelle’s obvious talent, his time at Feyenoord hasn’t been free from controversy. In February, Bleacher Report’s Mark Patterson reported how the striker had gone on a kicking rampage after seeing his side let a two-goal advantage slip to Eredivisie rivals FC Twente.

That particular debacle ultimately led to the 28-year-old being stripped of the Feyenoord captaincy, via FourFourTwo, in addition to receiving a one-game ban. However, it appears as though Koeman is ready to leave that chapter in the past by bringing the Italian to St Mary’s.

Is Pelle the man to replace Rickie Lambert at St Mary’s? Post your opinions below.

Rotterdam giants Feyenoord have announced plans to redevelop their De Kuip stadium, which will see the ground’s capacity increased by nearly 20,000 seats.

The huge renovation will see De Kuip, which was originally built in 1937, leapfrog Ajax’s Amsterdam Arena to become Holland’s biggest stadium.

Feyenoord made the announcement via the club's official website, revealing:

FFC’s plans involve the redevelopment of De Kuip into a state-of-the-art stadium with around 70,000 seats, some 90 business units, around 6,300 business seats with all modern facilities before, during and after matches and a host of possibilities for use on non-match days.

The confirmation comes after a four-month investigation into the proposal, which has received high praise from those involved.

According to ShanghaiDaily.com, "building is planned to start in summer 2015, and to finish in 2018 with total costs of an estimated 200 million euros." The renovation will see the stadium's second tier extended, as opposed to an alternative proposal that would have seen a third tier added.

In addition to that, the club has set aside a budget of €16 million in order to develop new training facilities.

The announcement of a redeveloped stadium comes just under a year after the club had plans to build a new stadium rejected. According to Football Oranje.com’s Michael Bell, the Rotterdam council had doubts over the €300 million project and decided against the proposal.

This news completes a fantastic week for the Rotterdam club, who have won seven Eredivisie matches on the spin to confirm their appearance in next year’s Champions League.

What do you think of the news? Post your thoughts below.

Italian club Napoli have made Feyenoord right-back Daryl Janmaat one of their primary targets in the next transfer window.

The 24-year-old has been exceptional for the Rotterdam giants this term, helping Ronald Koeman's men climb to second in the Eredivisie table, and he has received praise from a number of European clubs.

However, it seems Rafa Benitez's Serie A side are leading the way in the chase for the Dutch international's signature.

As per Michael Bell of FootballOranje, Janmaat—who joined the Rotterdam giants from Eredivisie rivals Heerenveen in 2012—had already been heavily linked with a summer exit following breakdowns in contract talks with the club earlier this year but has yet to make a final decision on where his future lies.

The move to Italy would be a step up for Janmaat, who already boasts 13 senior caps for the Netherlands and is widely tipped to feature in Louis van Gaal's 23-man FIFA World Cup squad, but the promise of regular Champions League football could be too tempting for the defender to resist.

However, Napoli may not be the only club in the running for Janmaat's signature—as was confirmed by the player's agent, Karel Jansen.

Jansen said, via Bell, “Yes, the Azzurri are interested in the boy, but they are not the only club to have enquired.”

The right-back's strike against rivals PSV earlier this month has put the Rotterdam club firmly in the driving seat to qualify for next season's Champions League; Janmaat will now be fully focused on ensuring that they do.

After that, the next stop could be Italy.

Would Napoli be the right destination for the Dutch international? Post your thoughts below.

Stats from Soccerway.

Dutch club Feyenoord could be about to lose two of their most promising young talents, as both Jordie Clasie and Tonny Vilhena are being strongly linked to potential summer departures.

As we reported last month, the Rotterdam giants are already preparing for a big shake up as Fred Rutten will replace the departing Ronald Koeman as head coach, but it looks like Feyenoord may be in for even more change as the midfield pair seek moves to the English Premier League.

According to Ian Hughes of the Mirror, Manchester United are currently fighting Italian giants Juventus in pursuit of Vilhena’s signature. Feyenoord are believed to be reluctant on the deal, but are resigned to the fact the 19-year-old may force a move. A reported fee of £5 million may be enough to lure the left-footer, who has two years remaining on his current contract, away from de Kuip.

Vilhena is one of the brightest young talents in Dutch football and has already cemented his place as a regular feature of the Feyenoord setup, making 63 league appearances for the Eredivisie club. Additionally, the midfielder has enjoyed international success by helping the Netherlands Under-17 team win back-to-back European Championships in 2011 and 2012—netting the decisive penalty against Germany in the final of the latter.

Meanwhile, 22-year-old Clasie is being linked with a potential switch to West Ham United in the forthcoming transfer window.

The midfielder, who joined from fellow Dutch side Excelsior in 2011, is set to make his 100th league appearance for Feyenoord in next Sunday’s home clash with Cambuur—it could prove to be the final farewell of one of the Rotterdam club’s star players this term. As per talkSport, Sam Allardyce is extremely interested in the Feyenoord starlet and could use the Dutchman as a long-term replacement for the unsettled Mohamed Diame.

Even if West Ham opt against making a bid, Clasie could still be on his way to the league as up to four other Premier League clubs are interested in his services (via talkSport).

Clasie and Vilhena have unquestionably been two of the key players in Feyenoord’s resurrection towards qualifying for next season’s Champions League. New boss Rutten could have a huge task on his hands in finding their suitable replacements.

Are Clasie and Vilhena ready for the challenge of Premier League football? Post your thoughts below.

Stats from Soccerway and Transfermarkt.co.uk

Dutch football manager Ronald Koeman wants to replace Michael Laudrup as Swansea City’s long-term manager.

The Feyenoord coach, who last month confirmed that he will step down from his current job this summer, is reportedly keen on a move to the English Premier League and sees Welsh side Swansea as the perfect destination for his next move in football management.

According to Andrew Gwilym of the Daily Star, Swansea director John van Zweden has already confirmed that the 50-year-old Feyenoord boss has already approached the club about a possible appointment.

Following Laudrup’s dismissal in early February, Swansea have installed long-serving player Garry Monk as interim manager until the end of this season.

Koeman had been one of the leading contenders for the job until Monk’s temporary appointment was confirmed, but it appears that the former Ajax and Valencia boss hasn’t given up hopes on securing the role this summer.

Monk has, according to Wales Online's Chris Wathan, impressed the club during his spell as manager and if he can lead the club to Premier League survival then there is a strong possibility that he may be rewarded with being offered the job on a permanent basis.

Nevertheless, Koeman’s interest in the role will definitely interest the Welshmen. In addition to a highly successful playing career, the 50-year-old boasts three Eredivise crowns on his managerial CV and offers a far greater level of experience than newcomer Monk—who took charge of the Liberty Stadium helm despite having never previously managed a professional team and still being in the middle of training for his UEFA A coaching license.

Koeman announcing his departure from De Kuip this summer will bring an end to a three-year stay in Rotterdam and he is unlikely to be interested in coaching any of their Eredivisie rivals. The former Netherlands star will seek a fresh start abroad and the allure of English football would simply be too much to reject.

As a former team-mate of Laudrup, during their time at Barcelona, Koeman would undoubtedly be able to call upon the ex-Swansea boss for insight on the club whilst his position on the world football hierarchy will also mean that he isn’t short of advice from other well regarded sources.

At this stage in his managerial career, now is the time for Koeman to make his Premier League introduction; Swansea could provide the perfect platform.

Feyenoord have already named former PSV boss Fred Rutten as Koeman’s successor. The 51-year-old will formally take charge of the club on July 1 on an initial one-year contract.

Rotterdam club Feyenoord have confirmed that Fred Rutten will replace the outgoing Ronald Koeman as first-team coach this summer.

As Joe Wright of Goal.com reported, current manager Koeman had announced his departure earlier this month and is set to exit De Kuip this summer after three years in charge of De club aan de Maas.

Rutten, who is currently without a club having left Vitesse Arnhem last summer, will initially sign a one-year deal with the club.

The 51-year-old manager, who has enjoyed previous spells with fellow Eredivisie clubs FC Twente and PSV and a 12-month stint with German outfit Schalke, will officially take charge of Feyenoord on July 1.

Feyenoord will hope that Rutten can rediscover the midas touch which saw him named Coach of the Year in 2008, during his time at PSV. As per the club's official statement, technical director Martin van Geel is reportedly delighted with the appointment and is already looking to a bright future with the Dutchman at the helm.

The announcement comes less than 24 hours after Feyenoord saw their title dreams dashed by league leaders Ajax, after the Amsterdam club claimed a 2-1 victory in Rotterdam.

Rutten has expressed his personal joy at signing for the club and gave special praise to Feyenoord's fans. However, the future manager vowed to stay in the shadows in order to allow Koeman the best chance to complete his work in Rotterdam with a positive result.

Feyenoord currently sit fourth in the Eredivisie table, trailing FC Twente and Vitesse by four points. With eight games remaining, the Rotterdam giants remain in the hunt for Champions League football next season.

Rutten will be amongst those praying that they achieve their goal.

Do you think Rutten is the right man for the job? Post your views below.