Eight incoming transfers and eight outgoing transfers. FC Utrecht's selection has seen many changes this transfer summer. Two star players left for the top of the Eredivisie and the team reinforced itself with a Swedish international. An introduction to Saturday's opponent.
New midfield in the Domstad
Head coach Jean-Paul De Jong saw as many as four midfielders leave. His most important player, Zakaria Labyad, left for Ajax. There, the midfielder cum outfielder was reunited with coach Erik ten Hag, who also left FC Utrecht for Ajax in the winter break of last season. Strong keeper Yassin Ayoub also moved to a club from the traditional top three. Feyenoord took the midfielder over free of charge. In addition, Mateusz Klich and Anouar Kali also left. The gap in midfield was filled by new acquisitions Simon Gustafson (Feyenoord) and Joris van Overeem (AZ Alkmaar). Othman Boussaid was also recruited. The Belgian Moroccan can play both in midfield and on the flanks.
Swedish international strengthens defense
According to various media, FC Utrecht did some smart business by attracting triple Swedish international Emil Bergström. The 25-year-old central defender had his contract with Rubin Kazan dissolved this summer. Bergström had the clubs to choose from, but eventually opted for FC Utrecht. The right-legged defender is not the only addition at the back; Nicolas Gavory (left back) and Leon Guwara (left back) also came to Utrecht. In goal, Maarten Paes will have to compete with first goalkeeper David Jensen and Nick Marsman.
Transfers FC Utrecht (in).
Gustafson (Feyenoord), Van Overeem (AZ Alkmaar), Bergström (transfer free), Boussaid (transfer free), Gavory (Clermont Foot), Guwara (Werder Bremen), Paes (NEC Nijmegen), Arweiler (Borussia Dortmund II)
Transfers FC Utrecht (away)
Labyad, Dumic, Ould-Chikh, David, Van der Meer, Ayoub, Kali, Klich, Bahebeck