Gullit goes for De Graaf

Three-year option
The 23-year-old former Dutch youth international has signed a deal with the Rotterdam club which will run until summer 2006 with an option for a further three years. However, De Graaf will be loaned back to Roosendaal during the 2004/05 campaign.

Talented midfielder
Ruud Gullit, who will take charge of his former club in the summer, and Feyenoord technical manager Mark Wotte have both watched the player. "They think he's a talented midfielder," said communications manager Jan D Swart. "Wotte has seen him up close as coach of the Netherlands youth team."

De Graaf preference
He added: "De Graaf could have chosen various Eredivisie clubs but he preferred Feyenoord. To aid his development we've loaned him back to RBC. There is a proviso that we can bring him to Rotterdam either halfway through next season or at the end of it."

Lodewijks deal
Feyenoord goalkeeper Patrick Lodewijks, meanwhile, has signed a new contract until 2009. Lodewijks' contract was due to expire this summer but he feels fit enough to continue playing, albeit in a likely role as No2 to Hungary's Gábor Babos, who will join from NAC Breda this summer.

Coaching position
The 36-year-old's position will be reviewed after next season, when he and the club will decide whether he plays on or starts work assisting goalkeeper coach Pim Doesburg, whom he is intended to succeed.

Van Haaren blow 
On an unhappy note, Feyenoord's left-sided defender Ramon van Haaren has been sidelined for four to six weeks by a knee ligament strain. The 31-year-old sustained the injury when he collided with team-mate Patrick Paauwe during last night's 3-0 home defeat by AZ Alkmaar.