KV Mechelen has officially confirmed the signing of 26-year-old Dutch centre-back Mike Eerdhuijzen. The player, who leaves FC Utrecht, signs until mid-2030.
Eerdhuijzen fills the gap
Redouan Halhal departed for Venezia, bringing the Mechelen club roughly five million euros. This created a vacancy in the defence that is now filled by Eerdhuijzen. The club has therefore immediately clarified a position that needed strengthening.
Eerdhuijzen’s career path
Eerdhuijzen developed in the youth academy of FC Volendam and broke into the first team there, making 51 appearances. In 2022 he moved on a free transfer to Sparta Rotterdam, where he played three seasons and accumulated 84 matches. That period at Sparta led to a 2025 transfer to FC Utrecht, for which the club paid about 1.3 million euros for the centre-back. At Utrecht he made 17 appearances.
Impact on the Mechelen defence
Malinwa now has a defender with experience in Dutch professional football and a long-term contract. The player must provide extra experience in the heart of the defence. The transfer also gives the club immediate clarity on a position that required reinforcement.
Expectations for the coming seasons
With Eerdhuijzen’s arrival, Malinwa can rely on a solid centre-back who can quickly adapt to the Jupiler Pro League. The player brings a combination of youth training, experience across several clubs, and a long contract, allowing the club to further shape the defensive reorganisation after Halhal’s departure.
