SC Heerenveen have completed the signing of defender Mees Hilgers. The 25-year-old joins from FC Twente on a contract until the summer of 2029, as reported by De Telegraaf. The club currently sits 11th in the Eredivisie with five points from their first four matches.
What does Hilgers bring to the defence?
Mees Hilgers will compete for a starting spot with the current central defensive pairing of Sam Kersten and Maas Willemsen. The defender, who made over 130 official appearances for FC Twente, believes he can add something to the team. "I bring experience and I talk a lot from the back. I'm a player who leads the team," Hilgers told SC Heerenveen's club media.
Hilgers is happy with his move. "This is a very big club in terms of stadium and fans." he stated. He faced Heerenveen nine times as an opponent, winning five of those encounters. Heerenveen's squad has scored five goals and conceded six so far this season. You can check the current standings on our site.
How did the move from FC Twente unfold?
The transfer of Mees Hilgers to SC Heerenveen follows a difficult period at FC Twente. According to Goal.com, the defender became embroiled in a dispute with the Twente board over a contract extension, leading to a long banishment from the first-team training ground. A potential move to France previously collapsed due to time running out.
Hilgers then suffered a serious injury. Last summer, he initially believed he was a free agent, but his expiring contract was automatically extended by one year due to an administrative issue. A return to FC Twente was no longer feasible. The switch to Heerenveen offered a way out for all parties. Only the medical examination remained as the final hurdle.
What is the current state of the Heerenveen squad?
Heerenveen have had an inconsistent start to the 2026/2027 season. Manager Robin Veldman's team has one win, two draws, and one loss from their opening four league games. The club trails league leaders AZ Alkmaar by seven points. The next opportunity to gain points is the home match against that same AZ on September 6th, a key fixture listed on our fixtures page.
Alongside the new signing Hilgers, Heerenveen are dealing with several absentees. Oliver Braude, Mats Egbring, and Melle Linday are currently sidelined with injuries. The latest injuries page provides an update on their recovery. Hilgers' arrival is meant to bolster defensive options, especially with these players unavailable.
When can Hilgers make his debut?
Mees Hilgers says he is 'training fit' and is participating fully in squad sessions. The final timing for his playing minutes will be determined in consultation with the medical staff. "I'm taking part in everything with the group." the defender explained.
He was impressed by conversations with technical manager Johan Hansma and manager Veldman, who called him to express their serious interest. Hilgers feels at home immediately. "I've been welcomed really well, even better than I expected. All the people who work here are genuinely super nice and social," he said. His contract with SC Heerenveen runs until the summer of 2029.
