Former Everton defender John Heitinga is set to be honoured next Wednesday for his services to the Netherlands national team. Heitinga spent six seasons on Merseyside, but retired in the summer after playing just two games with Ajax last season.
Voetbal International have revealed Heitigna will be presented in front of the Netherlands fans before the game with Belgium next week. Technical director Hans van Breukelen will present the central defender with a plaque, inscribed with the number of games the former Everton star played for his country.
Heitigna will be reunited with his former Everton manager Roberto Martinez, who this summer was installed as the new coach of Belgium, following the departure of Marc Wilmots after the Euros.
Also to be honoured is Joris Mathijsen who was Heitinga’s central defensive partnership during the 2010 World Cup, when the Dutch reached the final. Mathijsen played 84 times for the Oranje, 58 of those alongside Heitinga.
Heitinga played over 100 Premier League games for Everton after joining the club from Atletico Madrid in 2009. In total the Dutchman played 87 times for the Netherlands over a 9-year period.
