Melbourne City boss Warren Joyce looks to have pulled off a coup with the signing of former Dutch youth international Bart Schenkeveld on a two-year deal.
Transfer news: City sign Dutch defender
The 25-year-old defender has joined City from Dutch Eredivisie club PEC Zwolle, former home of Caltex Socceroos defender Trent Sainsbury.
FIVE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BART SCHENKEVELD
►A right-sided defender who can also play as a centre-back, Schenkeveld represented the Netherlands at Under-19 level.
►He’s a product of the Feyenoord Youth Academy and made 5 senior appearances for the Dutch giants during the 2009/10 Eredivisie season.
►After three seasons with Feyenoord (2009-12) which included a loan spell with Excelsior (2011/12), Schenkeveld established himself as a regular with Heracles Almelo where he spent three years (2012-15).
►In 2015, the Dutchman earned a move to PEC Zwolle where he made 32 appearances (2015-2016) over two seasons and played with Socceroos defender Trent Sainsbury.
►In his last six seasons in the Eredivisie (2011-16), the defender’s completed pass percentage has averaged more than 84% (105 games).
CAREER STATS SUMMARY – EREDIVISIE
*2016/17 – PEC Zwolle
Appearances: 20, passing accuracy: 80%, tackles won: 66%, clearances: 48
*2015/16 – PEC Zwolle
Appearances: 12, passing accuracy: 84%, tackles won: 73% , clearances: 39
*2014/15 – Heracles Almelo
Appearances: 18, passing accuracy: 85%, tackles won: 77%, clearances: 71
*2013/14 – Heracles Almelo
Appearances: 31, passing accuracy: 88%, tackles won: 74%, clearances: 156
*2012/13 – Heracles Almelo
Appearances: 12, passing accuracy: 87%, tackles won: 80%, clearances: 41
*2011/12 – Excelsior
Appearances: 12, passing accuracy: 81%, tackles won: 75%, clearances: 69