Steven Bergwijn Joins Al Ittihad as Netherlands Manager Ronald Koeman Indicates That He Won’t Call Him Up to the National Team
Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad secured the services of Steven Bergwijn from Ajax in a €21 million deal. The left winger will now miss out on international duty after Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman blasted him for making a move based on financial reasons instead of focusing on sporting reasons.
Bergwijn, 26, joins Al Ittihad from Ajax, where he’s been plying his trade since moving from England’s Tottenham Hotspur in 2022. At Ajax, he made 57 appearances and scored 24 times. His time in England was less than stellar, having managed only seven goals in 60 appearances.
The winger was also part of Netherlands EURO 2024 squad and played twice. Speaking on the move, Netherlands national team manager Ronald Koeman noted, “The book is basically closed to him. He knows what I think about this.” Koeman went on to say. “When you are 26, your main ambition should be sporting, not financial. These are choices that players make.”
While Koeman seems intent on excluding the winger from his squad, he has in the past called on Al Ettifaq’s Georginio Wijnaldum as late as EURO 2024. Bergwijn will hope his exploits at Al Ittihad will be enough to get Koeman to change his mind. At his new club, he’ll line up against top talents like N’Golo Kante, Karim Benzema, Moussa Diaby, and Fabinho.
