FC Twente Eredivisie 2025/26 Preview | OneFootball

Overview:

FC Twente face a real period of change as the 2025/26 season approaches. Selling the 24-goal Sem Steijn to Feyenoord will undoubtedly influence the way they go forward, while the acquisitions of familiar faces Robin Pröpper and Ramiz Zerrouki may help to tap back into an era when the club were around the European scene.

Last term, Twente finished sixth in Joseph Oosting’s second season at the helm. They qualified for the Europa Conference League play-offs, yet lost 3-2 to AZ Alkmaar in the final. Although the thrill of Europe is missing, attention can be firmly fixed on the Eredivisie in the next 10 months.

Transfers in: Kristian Hlynsson (Ajax), Robin Pröpper (Rangers), Stav Lemkin (Shakhtar Donetsk), Thomas van den Belt (Feyenoord), Guilherme Peixoto (Benfica U23), Ramiz Zerrouki (Feyenoord).

Transfers out: Sem Steijn (Feyenoord), Michal Sadilek (Slavia Prague), Alfons Sampsted (Birmingham City), Carel Eiting (Omonia Nicosia) Younes Taha (Groningen), Julien Mesbahi (FC Emmen).

Key player: Ramiz Zerrouki

One of those aforementioned faces, the 27-year-old Zerrouki returns to Enschede with perhaps a point to prove. Arriving back at De Grolsch Veste after an injury-affected spell at Feyenoord, the Algerian struggled to earn a consistent part in the Rotterdam side’s midfield. This return to Twente has divided opinions slightly, yet if he can reach the levels that made Feyenoord reach for their wallet, he could play a big role this season as he looks to re-energise his career.

Young player to watch: Kristian Hlynsson

Kristian Hlynsson arrives at Twente from Ajax, looking to make the most of a new opportunity. Ajax saw him enjoy a breakout season in 2023/24, becoming a regular starter in attacking midfield under managers Maurice Steijn and John van ‘t Schip. He scored seven goals in 25 Eredivisie appearances and featured in Europe.

Although performances earned him the Eredivisie Talent of the Month award for January 2024, in the first half of the 2024/25 season, first-team opportunities became more limited. Hlynsson comes to Enschede after half a season at Sparta Rotterdam. He made 14 appearances, scoring two goals and grabbing three assists. In a better team, 21-year-old Hlynsson will have a great platform to showcase his skills this season.

Transfer window needs:

FC Twente have made six signings so far this window. With these, they have covered a few key bases in their team, but it feels like the main difference from last term will, of course, be the source of goals. With Steijn’s departure, there has been €10 million to play with. Given their current options, it really remains up to Oosting whether he sees it fit to start with the options at his disposal, or invest further in the attack.

GBeNeFN | Max Bradfield