Tuesday, January 25, 2022 at 11:01 PM• Mart van Mourik • Last update: 23:03

Henk Veerman makes the switch to FC Utrecht, reports The Telegraph Tuesday evening. The Domstedelingen have reached an agreement with SC Heerenveen about the transfer of the striker, who will sign a contract in Utrecht until mid-2024.

The arrival of Sydney van Hooijdonk to Heerenveen may be related to the departure of Veerman. Earlier on Tuesday, the Frisians already announced that the 21-year-old attacker will finish the season on a rental basis in the Abe Lenstra Stadium. Van Hooijdonk remains the property of Bologna, which will therefore house him in the Netherlands in the coming months. No announcements will be made about a possible purchase option.

“It is no secret that we have been looking for a striker for a long time,” technical director Ferry de Haan said on the Heerenveen website. “With the arrival of Sydney, we get more choices up front. He is diligent, good in the box and has a pretty good free kick. The intention is that he will compete here in the hunt for as many playing minutes as possible.” After the signing of Van Hooijdonk, Veerman would have immediately set his sights on a departure and FC Utrecht struck immediately.

At FC Utrecht, Anastasios Douvikas will be Veerman’s main competitor in the battle for a spot in the striker position. Veerman previously played for FC Volendam, FC St. Pauli and returned to Heerenveen in the summer of 2020, where he previously played between 2015 and 2018. In 327 matches in professional football, he was good for 132 goals and 39 assists.