Kuiper fills Braafheid gap at Twente

FC Twente have signed 20-year-old left-back Nicky Kuiper from Eredivisie rivals BV Vitesse for an undisclosed fee as a replacement for Edson Braafheid, following his departure last week to join FC Bayern München.

Youth product
Kuiper, who came through the youth ranks at Vitesse, made 15 league appearances in his first competitive season with the Arnhem side this term. He will sign a five-year contract at Twente after completing a medical. "This is an opportunity I could not pass up," he said. "Playing in the Champions League next season will be a huge challenge for me and for the club." Having finished second in the Eredivisie, behind AZ Alkmaar, Steve McClaren's side, also Dutch Cup runners-up, will start their UEFA Champions League campaign in the third qualifying round.