What changed
2026-09-01 18:45 UTC → 2026-09-04 12:09 UTC ·
added
removed
In late June 2026, centre‑back Mees Hilgers was reported absent from FC Twente’s preseason trainings after his contract was automatically extended for an additional year when his agent failed to terminate it before the deadline. The club confirmed the absence and said it would discuss the matter with the player. Hilgers, who missed the previous season due to an ACL injury, was later seen training privately with former Ajax midfielder Donny van de Beek wearing a Feyenoord shirt, prompting criticism of his agent and speculation about arbitration. By mid‑July 2026, the situation remained unresolved. Coach John van den Brom told ESPN he had not seen or spoken to Hilgers for a long time and suggested there was “no way back” for the defender at Twente. Hilgers had also trained with the Indonesian national team ahead of a FIFA matchday, but his club status stayed unclear, leaving fans disappointed about his uncertain future with the Dutch side. In mid-August 2026, Hilgers resumed training with FC Twente following discussions between the player and the club. The dispute centered on conflicting views regarding his status: the club maintained the contract was automatically extended, while Hilgers had operated under the belief that he was a free agent. By August 31, 2026, the transfer was finalized as Hilgers officially joined SC Heerenveen. The 25-year-old signed a contract through 2028, with an option for an additional year until 2029. Hilgers stated he wished to move past the inaccuracies reported during his turbulent final period at FC Twente, where he had spent nearly 15 years. He noted that the club used a collective labor agreement clause to automatically extend his contract, a move he felt was driven by financial interests. Following the move, former coach Gertjan Verbeek criticized the defender, labeling him ‘unreliable’ due to communication issues and reported absences during his tenure at Twente. In early September 2026, tension continued to surround the departure when Hilgers’ former agent, René Wagelaar, appeared on ESPN’s ‘The Transfer Deadline Show’. Wagelaar alleged that FC Twente had failed to honor a promise made to the player. These claims drew significant frustration from FC Twente supporters, who criticized Wagelaar for making assertions without providing specific evidence or details, with many fans dismissing the comments as unsubstantiated.