SC Heerenveen has signed defender Mees Hilgers from FC Twente. The transfer provides a solution for the 24-year-old player who had no future left in Enschede, as reported by De Telegraaf this week.
Hilgers was a youth product of FC Twente and played 132 league matches for the club, scoring four goals. His contract was originally set to expire in the summer of 2026 but was administratively extended by one year. Last summer, he did not want to extend and was excluded from the squad. A planned move to Stade Brest then fell through due to a lack of time. After returning to training, he suffered a serious cruciate ligament injury in the autumn, from which he is now recovering.
What does Hilgers mean for the Heerenveen squad?
The arrival of Mees Hilgers comes at a time when SC Heerenveen is eleventh in the Eredivisie with five points from four matches. Manager Kees van Wonderen's team has scored five goals and conceded six so far this season. Hilgers adds experience to a defense that is currently also without the injured Mats Egbring, as visible on our injuries page. His recovery from the injury is sufficiently advanced to participate in group training, according to the club.
The transfer is seen by involved parties as a good move for the defender's further career. His sporting perspective had completely vanished at FC Twente. "It is a good solution for all parties," a source at the Tukkers told De Telegraaf. For Heerenveen, it is a reinforcement with someone who knows the Eredivisie well.
How is FC Twente handling the transfer window?
The sale of Hilgers fits into a broader strategy by FC Twente to help players who no longer have a future at the club find a new team. The Enschede-based club has already sold Sayf Ltaief to Cracovia Krakow and Mathias Kjolo to Rosenborg this summer. The club also hopes to find solutions for Taylor Booth and Naci Ünuvar before the transfer window closes.
Another notable deal is that of Sam Lammers to PSV. FC Twente and PSV have reached a principle agreement for the transfer of the attacker. Lammers will undergo his medical in Eindhoven on Monday to finalize the move. This activity shows Twente is actively reshaping its squad.
What is the next step for Heerenveen?
The focus for SC Heerenveen now shifts to the next league match. On Saturday, September 6, Heerenveen hosts league leaders AZ Alkmaar at the Abe Lenstra Stadium. That promises to be a tough challenge, as Heerenveen currently trails the leaders from Alkmaar by seven points. The Frisians' recent form has been mixed, with a sequence of draw, loss, draw, and win (DLDW).
The arrival of Hilgers gives Van Wonderen more options in defense, which could be important in the build-up to this top match. Fans can follow the preparations and the lineup via our squad page. The match against AZ is the starting point of an important period in the league, where the current points tally must be built upon. The current standings are always up to date on our standings overview.
