SC Heerenveen has officially completed the signing of defender Mees Hilgers from FC Twente. The 25-year-old Indonesian international put pen to paper on a two-year contract this week, as reported by Voetbal International.
Hilgers' arrival strengthens a squad sitting eleventh in the Eredivisie after four matchdays, with five points from one win, two draws, and one loss. Heerenveen has scored five goals and conceded six, resulting in a minus-one goal difference. They trail league leaders AZ Alkmaar by seven points, a gap they will aim to close next Sunday in a home fixture against that same opponent.
Why did Hilgers leave FC Twente?
Mees Hilgers found himself in a difficult position at FC Twente over the past year. The club refused to play him unless he extended his contract, which the player did not do, leaving him completely out of favour. A planned move to French side Stade Brest ultimately fell through. FC Twente then activated an option in his contract, leading to a mutual understanding that a departure was the best solution. Consequently, Hilgers also missed the start of pre-season with his former club.
The defender previously suffered a serious knee injury that required a long rehabilitation period. A graduate of the FC Twente youth academy, he made his debut for the club in 2020. Heerenveen's technical manager Johan Hansma expressed his satisfaction with the signing. "He has played many matches at the highest level and knows what is required. We are fully confident he can play an important role here." Hansma told Voetbal International.
What role can Hilgers play at Heerenveen?
Hilgers is expected to compete immediately for a place in Heerenveen's defence. His Eredivisie experience is a major asset for a squad seeking more stability at the back. The current squad situation can be tracked on our squad page. His signing is particularly timely as Heerenveen is also without the injured Mats Egbring, whose return date is listed on our injuries page.
Hansma stressed that Hilgers adds not only quality but also creates healthy competition within the group. The defender must adapt quickly to coach Kees van Wonderen's system. The upcoming training sessions and the match against AZ Alkmaar on September 6th are key for his integration. That important home fixture is scheduled in our fixtures.
What does this mean for Heerenveen's season start?
The transfer comes at a significant time. Heerenveen has had mixed results (DLDW) to start the season and sits mid-table with five points. Improving a defence that has conceded six goals is a priority. The acquisition of an experienced Eredivisie defender like Hilgers is meant to contribute to that. The team now prepares for a home game against the league leaders, a direct benchmark against the top of the table, the current state of which is shown in our standings.
Hilgers' arrival may conclude Heerenveen's summer transfer business with a targeted reinforcement. Whether he can start immediately against AZ Alkmaar depends on his fitness and adaptation in the coming days. The focus now shifts to converting recent draws into wins, starting with the next match at the Abe Lenstra Stadion.
