Trainer Fred Grim immediately has an extra option when creating his line-up. Wessel Dammers is rented by Willem II from FC Groningen for the rest of the season. A longer stay of the central defender is not excluded, the Tilburg club has an option to buy.
The interest in the 26-year-old Dammers is not new, last summer Willem II also wanted to take over the defensive player from FC Groningen. Then it didn’t work. During the current winter transfer period, technical director Joris Mathijssen once again knocked on the door of the Hitachi Capital Mobility Stadium. This time, the clubs did come to an agreement about a (temporary) transfer from the former youth international.
Fourth new central defender
In the summer Willem II already brought three central defenders to Tilburg. Ulrik Jenssen came transfer-free from FC Nordsjaelland and signed a three-year contract. Emil Bergström was hired from FC Utrecht, while Nikos Michelis was taken over from AC Milan on a rental basis. With the young Greek, the Tricolores also have an option to buy at the end of this season.
Partly due to an injury to Freek Heerkens, all the new center defenders came into action regularly this season, but that has not been a resounding success so far. Willem II’s rear guard is one of the problems this season. After Fortuna Sittard (50 goals against) and SC Cambuur (40), Willem II has received the most goals in the Eredivisie: 39. An average of almost two per game.
Perspective
Dammers made his professional debut at Feyenoord, where he also completed the youth academy. He did not go further than two European matches. He played on a rental basis at SC Cambuur, before making the switch to Fortuna Sittard. There he became captain and earned a transfer to FC Groningen.
“At FC Groningen I had the feeling that I had less perspective on playing time,” says the new Willem II player on the website of his new club. “That is why I consciously choose to make a switch during the season. I think Willem II is a club with a beautiful appearance and supporters who really make the difference. At away matches in Tilburg I have always been very impressed by the atmosphere here .”
Trust
Grim hoped to welcome new players with experience and the quality to lead the squad. “I’m not running away from a leadership role. Taking the team in tow with some other guys is something that suits me well.”
Dammers is counting on him to be able to quickly put a stop to the dramatic series of defeats, together with his new teammates, to get out of the relegation zone. “Willem II is normally a stable club that does better than where the club is now. With the qualities that are certainly in this group but may not be available at the moment, we should be able to look forward to a good second half of the season.”