‘We are pleased’ – NEC Nijmegen director discusses the Sontje Hansen deal with Middlesbrough

‘We are pleased’ – NEC Nijmegen director discusses the Sontje Hansen deal with Middlesbrough.

NEC Nijmegen director Affairs Aalbers has discussed the deal to sell Sontje Hansen to Middlesbrough this summer, saying it aligns with the club’s vision, and that they’re pleased with the deal agreed.

Boro are understood to have paid a fee of €3.5 million including add-ons, for the 23-year-old Dutch talent. He joined last week and made his debut from the bench at Millwall where he made an immediate first impression as he helped unluck the Lions defence for Boro’s opening goal.

Before that debut, one Dutch pundit had suggested Aalbers deserved a statue built in his honour after selling Hansen for so much. It followed his arrival at the club from Ajax two years ago on a free transfer for the player ESPN commentator Leo Oldenburger described as ‘largely disappointing’.

A lot more complimentary of the new Boro star though, Aalbers said: “Sontje has taken his first steps in the Eredivisie over the past two seasons and has become a key player in our squad during that time.

“His move to Middlesbrough aligns with his stated ambitions and our vision as a club, namely, to give young players the opportunity to grow in a stable and challenging environment, with the prospect of taking the next step in their careers. We are pleased with the outcome of the discussions with Middlesbrough.”

Despite the criticism from Oldenburger, Hansen will be hoping he can build on a solid Boro debut and continue to impress in England. As well as his excellent turn to open the Millwall defence for Boro’s first goal, Hansen was lively throughout the rest of the second half, with his pace and direct nature a threat on the counter attack.

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