Heerenveen herald Bosvelt arrival
Wednesday, May 4, 2005
Article summary
Former UEFA Cup winner Paul Bosvelt will leave Manchester City FC for SC Heerenveen at the end of the season.
Article body
Two-year deal
Bosvelt put pen to paper on a two-year contract earlier today, a deal which will be evaluated after one season. The former Dutch international, who won 24 caps for his country, appeared delighted with his new club. "They were really eager to sign me and that gives me faith," he said. "There is always a good atmosphere at Heerenveen and it's a stable club." Fifth in the Dutch Eredivisie, Heerenveen are vying for a place in the 2005/06 UEFA Cup.
Cup pedigree
Bosvelt started his career at Go Ahead Eagles before moving to FC Twente five seasons later. After three years at Twente, he joined Feyenoord in 1997 and went on to claim the Dutch title in 1999. He was made captain and was a key figure in the 2002 UEFA Cup-winning side. In the summer of 2003 he left for Manchester City.
Hestad departure
In addition, Heerenveen have announced several changes to their playing staff. The 29-year-old Norwegian midfielder Daniël Berg Hestad will return to Norway, possibly to former club Molde FK, while 23-year-old Finnish defender Hannu Haarala is heading back to his homeland at the season's end. Striker Victor Sikora, 27, will rejoin AFC Ajax while 19-year-old midfielder Denis Calincov will go back to RSC Anderlecht, both after loan spells.
Prager commitment
However, 19-year-old Austrian youth international midfielder Thomas Prager is staying put, having extended his contract for two years until the summer of 2008.
