Brentford have signed Andreas Bjelland on a three-year deal having completed his medical yesterday, the club have confirmed.
The 26-year-old will join subject to international clearance, after having played against Brentford manager Marinus Dijkhuizen in the Dutch Eredivisie last season. Turning out for FC Twente against the manager's own Excelsior, Dijkhuizen joined this summer to take charge of the Championship club.
Eredivisie club forced to sell
FC Twente have had some serious financial problems over the last few months, which even led to the club having points deducted in the league this season, and a mass exodus has been expected this summer as they look to raise funds to rectify this.
Brentford have contributed towards helping them somewhat with this signing, Sky Sports even reporting that the transfer saw the Bees produce a club-record fee to land the Danish centre-back.
Dijkhuizen described himself as being "very happy" with the signing, adding that Bjelland will bring "a lot of experience to the squad" which will be good for the "young players."
The manager described the player as "a good defender," but also one who "likes to play football from the back." He also explained that the move will help boost the club's reputation too, as signing a Danish international "is good for the image of Brentford FC" as it shows they can "attract such players."
The club's Co-Director of Football, Phil Giles, said he was "delighted" with the signing as the player "had lots of options when he decided to leave FC Twente this summer."
He said that the decision to join Brentford shows that Bjelland "recognises the long term aspirations of the club," and added that he club's Head of Player Development, Flemming Pedersen, is excited about Bjelland's arrival as the two won a Danish League title together at FC Nordsjaelland three years ago, so Pedersen is "particuarly happy to have the opportunity to work with [the player] once again."
Bjelland's journey to Brentford, via FC Twente
Bjelland started his career with Danish club Lyngby, coming through their youth set up before breaking into the first team in 2006. He spent eight years with them, three as a first team player, before moving on to Nordsjaelland in 2009.
There, he won two Danish Cups and the Danish Superliga in three years, as well as seeing his performances earn him a call-up to Denmark's senior side, following time spent with the youth teams. He currenty has 21 caps for his country and has scored two goals.
Bjelland would turn down a move to Belgian side Club Brugge in 2011, but joined FC Twente a year later as he continued to attract interest from elsewhere in Europe. He made 65 appearances for the Dutch side in the league, scoring three goals, before making the switch to Brentford today.