Wout Weghorst will be staying in the Eredivisie next season, but returning home to FC Twente.
The local striker has never played for his local team, but will be doing so in the Europa League next season.
Weghorst was at Ajax last season, but left after a disappointing campaign and became a free agent.
Ajax had until June 30th to re-sign him, but Weghorst had already said he wouldn’t be playing for them again.
Rumours then emerged that he was a top target for Benfica, but Twente got in there first.
Twente’s director of football is Erik ten Hag, who Weghorst played for when he was the coach of Manchester United.
Twente confirm Weghorst deal
Reacting to the two-year deal, Ten Hag said: “We are immensely proud that Wout Weghorst is going to play for FC Twente.
“Who wouldn’t be when a Dutch national team striker with more than fifty caps joins your club? This transfer is a golden opportunity for us.
“He is a consummate professional and the prime example of what you can achieve as a footballer when you are willing to give everything for it.
“A player with such an impressive track record is normally unattainable for FC Twente.
“He has always shown tremendous willpower and drive, and he is bursting with ambition.
“As a local boy, Wout is very eager to achieve something great with FC Twente. We are convinced that he will play a significant role in FC Twente’s future successes.
“Wout is going to bring something extra to the table.”
Weghorst’s dream come true
Weghorst, who is currently with the Netherlands World Cup squad, also gave his thoughts.
“This is a special transfer for me. I am very proud to wear the FC Twente shirt starting next season,” he said.
“As a young supporter, I had the privilege of celebrating the cup victory with FC Twente in De Kuip in 2001 and 2011; in 2010, I stood on the Oude Markt when FC Twente became champions; and I was in the stands at De Grolsch Veste during many memorable European nights.
“Those were all unforgettable memories. Many football dreams have come true for me, but one remained… This way, it brings things full circle.
“Starting next season, I will give everything to celebrate success with FC Twente, this time not as a supporter, but as a player.”
Benfica links
Dutch journalist Mounir Boualin claimed Weghorst was looking at houses in Lisbon while speaking on the Voetbalzone podcast.
He said: “I hear persistent rumours that Benfica is after him.
“What I’m told is that Weghorst has even started visiting houses in Portugal. I think Benfica sees a specific role for him in the squad.”
Weghorst’s awkward Ajax goodbye
Weghorst confirmed his Ajax departure shortly after helping the Dutch side book a Conference League place via the Eredivisie play-offs in May.
“Yes, I think so,” he said when asked if it was his last match.
“It has been two very good years. I am super proud that I, as a boy from the east, got to play football here.
“You think about your own future. At the moment, there is nothing concrete going on regarding Amsterdam. We’ll see. The focus is now on the World Cup.”
Weghorst then turned to his employers, critiquing their approach after a fifth-place finish.
“At least you let Ajax qualify for Europe,” he continued. “But it should be clear that the season didn’t go as it should have.
“I also hope that this serves as a lesson for everyone at the club, that you do not achieve success this way. The people responsible for this must learn from it.
“It is very important to focus on the long term, on structure, and on stability.
“Looking only at the short term is dangerous if you want to safeguard the continuity of the club.”
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