Brighton & Hove Albion’s Dutch defender Kerkdijk to join FC Twente

Brighton & Hove Albion defender Danique Kerkdijk will join Dutch club FC Twente when her contract expires this summer according to reports on The Seagulls’ official website.

The 26-year-old Dutch defender has spent the last three seasons with the Sussex club after joining Brighton & Hove Albion from Bristol City in 2019. The player has made 53 appearances for The Seagulls in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League while she has netted one league goal for the club.

Kerkdijk is out of contract at Brighton & Hove Albion on 30 June and it has today been confirmed that the player will join FC Twente on a free transfer. The defender joins Brighton & Hove Albion teammate Inessa Kaagman in returning to The Netherlands with the midfielder having agreed to join PSV on Tuesday.

After Kerkdijk’s Brighton & Hove Albion departure was confirmed, manager Hope Powell said “We’re really sorry to be losing Danique but totally understand that she wants a fresh challenge at a club she knows well.

“It has been hard for all our overseas players during the pandemic not being able to spend more time with their families. Danique has always been a brilliant professional on and off the field and everyone around the club will miss her.

“We wish her all the best for the next stage of her career. She knows she will always be welcome back at Brighton.”

Four players are leaving The People’s Pension Stadium so far this summer with Aileen Whelan and Emily Simpkins also moving on.