FC Volendam has finalised its squad for the current season with the arrival of creative midfielder Jaber el Meftahi. The 18-year-old joins on loan from Sparta Rotterdam, as reported by the Noordhollands Dagblad this week. The loan agreement does not include a purchase option. El Meftahi, who can also operate as a winger, will join manager Erwin van de Looi's group on Thursday.
The Eerste Divisie club currently sits tenth in the table with six points from four matches. They have won two and lost two, with a goal difference of plus six (eleven scored, five conceded). The team trails leaders Heracles by six points. The next league fixture is an away match against ninth-placed NAC Breda on December 6th.
Who is the new signing Jaber el Meftahi?
Jaber el Meftahi is a technically gifted midfielder who made his Eredivisie debut last season for NAC Breda in a match against his then-employer Sparta. He was under contract with Sparta until the summer of 2030. FC Volendam's technical director Patrick Busby is pleased with the acquisition of the young player. Busby described him as a player who can break open a match. "He can dribble past a man and easily find the free man," Busby told the newspaper.
His playing style, characterised by dribbling ability and a good eye for a free teammate, is expected to add creativity to Volendam's midfield. The club hopes he will quickly find his place in a team currently experiencing inconsistent form (WLWL). Fans can view the full squad on our squad page.
What other changes have been made to the squad?
The arrival of El Meftahi follows the earlier signing of striker Frederik Ihler, who was presented earlier this week. Simultaneously, two players departed Volendam. The contract of midfielder Silvinho Esajas was terminated by mutual consent. Yannick Leliendal, another midfielder, made the move to Israeli side Hapoel Tel Aviv.
These movements indicate that manager Van de Looi and technical director Busby are satisfied with the depth and balance of the current group. Focus can now fully shift to on-pitch performances in the league. The complete match schedule can be found on our fixtures page.
What does this mean for the rest of the season?
With a completed squad, FC Volendam can approach the coming months in the league with confidence. The team is in a shared tenth place, but the gap to the top half of the table remains small. The attacking numbers are positive, with eleven goals scored. The defence, having conceded only five goals, is one of the most solid in the division.
The board has clearly opted for rejuvenation and adding technical ability with the loan of El Meftahi. His adaptation to the team and the level of the Eerste Divisie will determine his success. The next opportunity to see him in action will be during the away match against NAC Breda on Sunday, December 6th. For the current Eerste Divisie standings, visit our standings page.
