PSV add Wijnaldum to Utrecht pair

PSV Eindhoven have strengthened their squad for the coming season by snapping up FC Utrecht pair Kevin Strootman and Dries Mertens as well as Feyenoord midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum.

Netherlands midfielder Strootman and Belgium forward Martens arrive in Eindhoven on five-year deals while Wijnaldum – signed on Monday, 24 hours after his two new colleagues – will have a four-year contract.

The left-footed Strootman lands at PSV after just half a season with Utrecht, having moved there from Sparta Rotterdam in January. Capped four times by his country, the 21-year-old said: "I expect a lot from my transfer to PSV and will do my best to win trophies. That's the goal of the club. I'm eager to show what I'm capable of and happy and proud to be playing here."

Two-times Belgian international Mertens, meanwhile, was equally happy to make the switch to PSV from Utrecht, where he had played since 2009. "It's fantastic to be able to play for PSV," said the 24-year-old. "This is a club that's always competing for the championship and, when you look at it that way, this is a dream come true."

For Wijnaldum, 20, the transfer represents a break with his home-town club Feyenoord. The Dutch Under-21 international made 111 Eredivisie appearances for the Rotterdam side following his debut as a 16-year-old in 2007. "I am still a young player and want to develop myself further," he said. PSV will enter the UEFA Europa League at the play-off stage,