Feyenoord brings in second winter reinforcement with Cole Bassett

Thursday, January 20, 2022 at 10:58 PM• Mart Oude Nijeweeme • Last update: 23:01

Feyenoord has struck for the second time in the transfer market this winter. The Rotterdammers, who already strengthened themselves with Patrik Wälemark last week, have now also recorded Cole Bassett, the club announced on Thursday evening. The twenty-year-old midfielder is rented from Colorado Rapids for a year and a half. Feyenoord has also stipulated an option to buy in the negotiations.

Feyenoord had been looking for reinforcements for the middle line for some time. For a long time, the team from Rotterdam seemed close to attracting Joey Veerman, until the midfielder chose an adventure at PSV over Feyenoord. Nor did it come to an agreement with Riechedly Bazoer. Attention then shifted to Bassett. The twenty-year-old midfielder comes over from the American Colorado Rapids and is rented from the club from the MLS for a year and a half.

Frank Arnesen is happy that Bassett has been successful, especially as the player was already on the club’s radar before last summer’s transfer window. At that time, his arrival was ‘not yet feasible’, says the technical director. “It’s great that we have now managed to get it done with this rental construction and option to buy, so that he can already join the selection this season.” He calls Bassett “a typical box-to-box player with enormous walking ability.”

Although Feyenoord had previously been interested, the arrival of Bassett may also be related to the appointment of Dennis te Kloese as the new general manager. Te Kloese worked for many years in the American football league at LA Galaxy. Bassett has one cap to his name for America. He made his debut against Bosnia on December 18 last year, in which he immediately scored. The midfielder made 72 appearances in the MLS, scoring 13 goals and providing 11 assists.

Bassett has attracted interest from several European clubs, but turned down an offer from Benfica last summer to continue playing for the trophies at Colorado. Colorado Rapids eventually won the title in the Western Conference and secured a spot in the U.S. division of the Champions League for this calendar year. TSG Hoffenheim and SC Freiburg also liked the midfielder, just like Arsenal.

After the deal with Bazoer failed, Feyenoord immediately switched to Bassett. Vitesse asked three million euros for its defender annex midfielder, an amount that Feyenoord could not agree with. With Bassett, according to Arnesen, the club has brought in someone who can be an important link both offensively and defensively. “In addition, he is quite comfortable on the ball with both legs. He has everything to take the next steps in his development here at Feyenoord and to become an even more complete player. He also gets that time and that confidence.”