Utrecht Eredivisie 2025/2026 Preview | OneFootball

Overview:

Utrecht enjoyed a fantastic campaign as they defied their own expectations, securing a fourth-placed finish; their best season since 2016-17. Following last year’s success, head coach Ron Jaans has overseen a busy transfer window as Domstad prepares for a fight on both a domestic and continental front.

Utrecht had many loans expiring but managed to permanently secure the services of Yoann Cathline and Miguel Rodríguez. It is also reported that Sebastain Haller will terminate his Borussia Dortmund contract in order to return to Utrecht. However, top scorer Paxten Aaronson and Oscar Fraulo have all gone back to their parent clubs. This has led to a busy transfer window, with Utrecht focusing specifically on the spine of the team. The signings of Davy van den Berg, Dani de Wit and Mike Eerdhuijzen all solve problems centrally for a minimal cost.

Utrecht’s Europa League Qualification campaign has already started, and they have comfortably dispatched Moldovan outfit Sheriff Tiraspol 7-2 on aggregate. Up next is Swiss side Servette, who have just parted ways with their head coach. Ron Jaans will be confident his side can get to the final play-off round, where they would face Zrinjski Mostar (Bosnia & Herzegovina) or Breidablik (Iceland). If Utrecht were to lose in that play-off, a place in the Europa Conference League would be their reward.

Transfers in: Yoann Cathline (FC Lorient), Mike Eerdhuijzen (Sparta Rotterdam), Miguel Rodríguez (Celta Vigo), Derry Murkin (FC Schalke 04), Dani de Wit (VfL Bochum), Emirhan Demircan (FC Bayern II), Neville Ogidi Nwankwo (Quick Boys), Gjivai Zechiël (Feyenoord – loan).

Transfers out: Mattijs Branderhorst (Fortuna Sittard), Jens Toornstra (Sparta Rotterdam), Tom de Graaff (PEC Zwolle), Neville Ogidi Nwankwo (Telstar – loan).

Key player: Souffian El Karouani

The Moroccan international is at the heart of Utrecht’s creative play and is pivotal to the team’s success from his full back role. He registered two goals and eight assists in the 2024/25 Eredivisie season, and in the two matches against Sheriff Tiraspol alone, he scored once and assisted three of their seven goals. With Siebe Horemans marauding down the other flank, Utrecht will need stellar performances from each fullback this campaign if they are to replicate last season’s success.

Young player to watch: Miguel Rodríguez

The young Spaniard has joined permanently for €1.25million after his successful loan spell last year. Despite a groin injury leaving him unavailable for much of the second half of the season, the promise he showed at the start of the campaign was enough for Jaans to want him permanently. The 22-year-old will be looking to improve on his tally of ten goals in all competitions.

A small mention should go to the promotion of some academy prospects into the first team. Rafik El Arguioui and Ivar Jenner are both midfielders, with 19-year-old El Arguioui a more attacking option that could make his mark on the first team. Finally, young forward Jesse van de Haar spent last season on loan at De Graafschap, notching eleven goals and staking a claim that he could play a big part this season.

Transfer window needs:

As they have had a busy window, Utrecht have one key area that should perhaps be addressed. Despite the links that Haller may return, it would seem that Utrecht should focus on another attackers. Last season’s top goalscorer in the Eredivisie (Paxten Aaronson) finished on eight goals; a number which isn’t high enough for a team competing for Europe. Extra attacking reinforcements could be explored and there have been links with young Coventry City striker Norman Bassette, but nothing concrete has materialised.

GBENeFN | Samuel Fabre