Bart Nieuwkoop would prefer to continue playing for Feyenoord for the rest of his career. The 28-year-old defender says this in conversation with Feyenoord Magazine. Nieuwkoop played in the youth of the Rotterdam club, left for Union Sint-Gillis in 2021, but returned to Feyenoord last summer.

After playing in Belgium for two years, Nieuwkoop returned to his first Eredivisie match in a long time on August 13 last year. However, things quickly went wrong at home against Fortuna Sittard: he was sent off with a red card in the 25th minute.

“Maybe I was too keen on it, I now think,” Nieuwkoop looks back on that moment after the season.

Despite that disappointing return, Nieuwkoop is happy with his return to De Kuip. “I really enjoy being a Feyenoord player again. If it were up to me, I would stay at Feyenoord for the rest of my career. But I have to make enough minutes, because sitting on the bench doesn't suit me.”

Last season, Nieuwkoop played thirty official matches on behalf of Feyenoord, sixteen of which as a starting player. With the club he won the TOTO KNVB Cup in April. “We have all worked hard, so it is very nice that you can reward yourself for that with a prize,” he reflects.

Nieuwkoop has played in Feyenoord's youth team since 2011, and made his Eredivisie debut for the Rotterdam team in 2015. In the years that followed, however, he never really managed to become an undisputed basic player in De Kuip.

A rental to Willem II followed, after which Nieuwkoop returned to Feyenoord in 2020. A year later he left for Union on a free transfer. He played there for two years, returning last summer. Nieuwkoop still has a contract with Feyenoord until mid-2027.

Would you like to always stay informed of the most important Feyenoord news? Join the Feyenoord Zone WhatsApp channel now!

More sports news