Football Season Guide

Fortuna Sittard

In


Mouhamed Belkheir (att) Vilafranquense, Milan Robberechts (att) Jong KVM, Luuk Koopmans (gk) ADO Den Haag, Mitchell Dijks (def) free-agent, Alen Halilovic (mid) free-agent, Sadik Fofana (def) Bayer Leverkusen, Nathan Markelo (def) Excelsior, Kaj Sierhuis (att) Stade Reims

Out


Mike van Beijnen (def) Emmen, George Cox (k)(def) released, Ximo Navarro (r)(def) released, Roel Janssen (def) released, Dogan Erdogan (r)(mid) released, Burak Yilmaz (k)(att) retired, Richie Musaba (att) released, Yanick van Osch (sp)(gk) Cambuur, Kristijan Bistrovic (r)(mid) CSKA Moskow end of loan, Thomas Buitink (att) Vitesse end of loan

Fortuna Sittard come from an all in all quiet season ended in 15th position. They were only involved in the relegation fight at the beginning, but then they always kept a safe distance. The effervescent coach Julio Velazquez has done an excellent job, being able to count on a good level roster. At the end of the season the Spanish coach left and was replaced by ex Groningen Danny Buijs. In addition to the coach, many important players have left, above all left-back George Cox, the other starting defender Ximo Navarro, the experienced Turkish forward Burak Yilmaz and two pivots in midfield such as Kristijan Bistrovic and Dogan Erdogan. Up to now the gaps left have not been fully filled and the quality seems to have gone down. The only arrivals of some quality have been experienced left-back Mitchell Dijks and midfielders Loreintz Rosier and Alen Halilovic, while little-known Mouhamed Belkheir and Kaj Sierhuis will have the uphill task of replacing Yilmaz.

Target


The team doesn't seem complete yet and, barring important arrivals, the Sittarders seem destined to fight to avoid relegation.