SC Heerenveen have secured a key piece of their future by tying down talent Kirayno Schaken to a new contract. The 17-year-old winger signed a deal that binds him to the club until the summer of 2030. The Frisian club thereby prevents the youth international from following his twin brother's path to Feyenoord.
The new agreement is a clear signal of confidence in Schaken, who scored eight times in twelve matches for Jong Heerenveen last season. Technical manager Johan Hansma emphasised the player's importance for the future. "We are pleased with the development he is going through. Kirayno is a great talent in whom we have a lot of confidence," Hansma said. The manager also pointed to the player's specific qualities: "He is an interesting winger who possesses a lot of speed and courage in his game."
The contract renewal follows the departure of his identical twin brother, Jerayno Schaken, who left Heerenveen's youth academy for Feyenoord's last year. Jerayno made an immediate impact there by scoring on his Eredivisie debut against NEC. Kirayno consciously chose to stay at Heerenveen and forge his own path, even though the door to Rotterdam was open. He has already been on the bench several times for the first team but is yet to make his official debut.
For Heerenveen, currently sitting twelfth in the Eredivisie with five points from five games, retaining youth talent is a priority. The club is building a new generation and Schaken fits that picture perfectly. Fans can view the full squad, where his name will now remain for the longer term. His speed and bravery could eventually add an extra dimension to the attacking play.
The first opportunity for Schaken to validate his new contract is the upcoming fixture. Heerenveen play at home against Telstar on Sunday, a team currently in fourteenth place. The complete fixtures schedule shows a series of important matches where young players can seize their chance. The club hopes Schaken can soon get his first minutes and continue his development in professional football.
