Sontje Hansen will play for NEC Nijmegen for the next four seasons, the Nijmegen residents will announce in a press release on Tuesday afternoon. The number ten in the Eredivisie takes over the twenty-year-old winger from Ajax on a free transfer. Hansen has signed a contract for four seasons in De Goffert. Hansen’s fishing in can be called a true stunt for NEC, as the team from Amsterdam tried to extend Hansen’s contract. He was also reportedly on the radar of various clubs from England and Germany.
Technical director Carlos Aalbers is happy with the signing of Hansen. “Sontje can handle several positions at the forefront. He was known for many years as a great talent at Ajax and we are very happy that he chose us. With his speed, technique and goal orientation, we see him as a valuable addition to our selection. We look forward to a great collaboration!”
Hansen himself is also pleased with his summer transfer. “From the first conversation I had with Carlos Aalbers, Nick Kersten and the trainer, I had a good feeling about NEC”, says the attacker. “It is a club with great ambitions and I would like to contribute to that. NEC. has proven that boys can develop well here and I am already looking forward to playing at the Goffert Stadium next season.”
Hansen was known for years as one of the greatest talents in Ajax’s youth academy. In 2019, Erik ten Hag made the lightning fast attacker debut in the home game against ADO Den Haag (6-1 win). Hansen also played two minutes during the cup match against Telstar (3-4 win) that year. The right leg has not played for Ajax 1 since December 22, 2019. Hansen has mainly played in the reserves team in recent years. In 84 official duels for Jong Ajax, he scored 13 goals and the same number of assists.
According to transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano, the youth international still had the option of signing for three more seasons in the Johan Cruijff ArenA, but is therefore opting for a new adventure in Nijmegen. Hansen was also on the radar of several foreign clubs. According to Football International he could sign with Augsburg and Standard Liège. However, Hansen first wants to succeed in the Eredivisie before he makes the switch abroad.
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