Brighton & Hove Albion have signed defensive midfielder Mats Wieffer from Feyenoord, with the 24-year-old Netherlands international agreeing a five-year contract.
In addition to his work without the ball, Wieffer scored nine goals and provided 11 assists in 79 matches across his two seasons with Feyenoord.
He becomes Brighton's second summer signing, after winger Yankuba Minteh, who spent last season at Feyenoord with Wieffer, during a season-long loan from Newcastle United.
In case you missed it overnight... a message from Mats! 😇🌟 pic.twitter.com/JeUTbdPsqj
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) July 6, 2024
“[The manager] explained to me the way they want to play next season and it's quite similar to what I was used to when I played at Feyenoord," Wieffer told Brighton's official website.
“I also can play box to box, but I prefer to play at six, to join the build-up, to play a lot of balls forward. I like one-touch play a lot too and, of course, if you play six you have to win a lot of duels. Those are my qualities and sometimes I score as well, maybe in set-pieces.
“It was always a dream to play in the Premier League, because it’s the highest level. Last season I played Champions League but every week in the Premier League you have to be at that high level. That will be the biggest challenge for me.”
Brighton's first pre-season fixture is on 24 July against Kashima Antlers in Tokyo, and they kick off their Premier League campaign away at Everton on Saturday 17 August.
Who is Mats Wieffer?
Born in Borne in November 1999, Wieffer made his professional debut for FC Twente in 2018, before moving on a free transfer to Excelsior, where he scored six goals and assisted 12 times in 71 league games.
After two impressive seasons with Excelsior, he earned a move to Eredivisie giants Feyenoord ahead of the 2022/23 campaign. Last season he managed his best return of five goals in the Dutch league, while also scoring in the UEFA Champions League against Atletico Madrid.
Standing 6ft 2ins, Wieffer is strong in the air and can use his physicality to retrieve the ball in midfield areas. His strength in the passing department will also come in handy for Fabian Hurzeler.
He was called up to the Netherlands squad for the first time in March 2023 and made his debut in a EURO 2024 qualifier against Gibraltar, before scoring against them in the reverse fixture last November.
