Janssen takes up Genk challenge
Friday, August 8, 2003
Article summary
KRC Genk have signed SBV Vitesse midfield player Theo Janssen on a one-year loan with the option of a full transfer.
Article body
Filling the gap
The 22-year-old Janssen is intended to fill the gap left by the departure of captain Josip Skoko for Turkish club Gençlerbirligi SK. Janssen is regarded as one of the most talented young midfield players in the Netherlands. He made his Vitesse debut in December 1998 and has gone on to play 90 league games for the Arnhem side. He has been capped twice by the Netherlands.
Vitesse relief
For cash-strapped Vitesse the transfer is a relief. The club were plunged into renewed financial difficulties last week and have been urged by the Royal Netherlands Football Association to cut their costs further. "This is good for the club as well as the player," said Vitesse technical manager Jan Streuer.
'A good club'
"Genk are a good club where he can work with a good coach in Sef Vergoossen. After eight years at Vitesse he was ready for a new challenge," he added. Meanwhile, Genk have sold Croatian defender Igor Tomasic to Israeli club Hapoel Petach-Tikva FC. The 26-year-old former Roda JC player has penned a three-year contract.
