NEC Director of Player Affairs Carlos Aalbers has shared his delight at the deal they’ve struck with Middlesbrough for Sontje Hansen.
Gelderlander cover comments from him today after Hansen completed a €3.5m move to Middlesbrough this week.
The right-winger has made the move to the Championship side in rapid fashion and brought a tidy profit in for NEC, who signed him on a free transfer in 2023.
He managed 13 goals and nine assists in 72 games for the Dutch club in the two years he was there after previously impressing in Ajax’s youth ranks, where he played for the youth side, the U17s, U19s, and U21’s before his move to NEC in 2023.
Gelderlander explain that the deal is a good one for them as they’ve not only pocketed a healthy profit on a free transfer but also the fourth highest transfer fee in their history. The record is held by Robin Roefs, who also left this summer in a €10.5m move to Sunderland.
And Director of Player Affairs Aalbers is more than pleased with the deal he’s secured, insisting the move to Middlesbrough aligns with their plans and the player’s too.
“Sontje has taken his first steps in the Eredivisie over the past two seasons and has become a key player in our squad during that time,” he said.
“His move to Middlesbrough aligns with his stated ambitions and our vision as a club, namely, to give young players the opportunity to grow in a stable and challenging environment, with the prospect of taking the next step in their careers.
“We are pleased with the outcome of the discussions with Middlesbrough.”
