Groningen adds 200‑match veteran Pelle Clement on free transfer

FC Groningen have completed the signing of 30‑year‑old midfielder Pelle Clement on a free transfer from Sparta Rotterdam. The two‑year contract runs until mid‑2028 and adds a player with more than 200 Eredivisie appearances, 12 goals and 25 assists in the Dutch top flight. Clement progressed through the Ajax youth academy from the age of ten and made his senior debut in 2016. He recorded four official first‑team appearances for Ajax, scoring three times. In the summer of 2017, then‑manager Jaap Stam brought Clement to Reading FC. After a year and a half, he returned to the Netherlands with PEC Zwolle.

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Clement spent three and a half years at PEC Zwolle, playing in the Overijssel region. He later joined RKC Waalwijk before moving to Sparta Rotterdam in 2022. At Sparta, Clement became a valued figure over three seasons at Het Kasteel. His experience contributed to the team's midfield stability. Clement said on the club’s website, “Ik heb over het algemeen in het midden van het land gespeeld en kijk er naar uit om nu samen met mijn jonge gezin naar Noord‑Nederland te verhuizen.” He added that he is “heel blij en enthousiast om hier te zijn” and appreciates the stories he has heard about the club and city. Reflecting on Euroborg, Clement noted, “Ik heb hier inderdaad al vaak mogen spelen. De sfeer, support en het enthousiasme in het stadion spreken me enorm aan.” He described the atmosphere as “vrij uniek in Nederland” and looks forward to playing for the supporters.