Following on from signing of Yana Daniëls last week, Bristol City have unveiled her former Twente teammate, Danique Kerkdijk as their latest signing.
Twente faithful
21-year-old Dutch international Danique Kerkdijk had spent her short playing career in native Holland first with armature side sv Overwetering before joining the academy at Twente in 2009. Having worked through the ranks, Kerkdijk was awarded with a move to the senior squad in the 2013-14 season where she went onto make 88 apps for the Sterke vrouwen, netting a healthy five leauge goals during her time in defence.
A regular fixture in one of the best sides in both the disbanded BeNe League as well as their return to the Eredivisie, Kerkdijk helped Twente to three titles, first in when they claimed their second successive BeNe plate before winning the KNVB Beker the following season. Kerkdijk’s third season with the Tukkers brought about their second Eredivisie title, five seasons since their last, Twente unable to add another as they fell short of Ajax this season.
Still a mere babe in footballing terms, Kerkdijk has already started to make inroads in her national team, with seven caps to her name since her debut last September. A U19 European Championship winner, Kerkdijk already has a good deal of experience to call upon, her four seasons with Twente all baring UEFA Women’s Champions League appearances as well as two European goals over the last two years.
A good move for both
With Bristol having made the step up to re-join WSL 1, Willie Kirk will be hoping that Kerkdijk’s varied experience will help his youthful side compete with the best in the country, the defender on his radar for some time. Having seen her at the U19 Euros as well as in a clinch game against Belgian giants, Standard Liege, Kirk was full of praise for the defender admitting that he’s, “followed her career with interest” ever since.
Not just looking to add players for the sake of it, Kirk states he’s attempting to “build a squad” that can hold its’ own and “be competitive” at the highest level in England, the young Dutch defender one who “buys into” his ideas.
“A very ambitious person,” is how the defender describes herself as she talks about being “delighted” with the move, “impressed” by the facilities at the club as well as Kirk’s “vision for the future.” “Eternally grateful” to her former club for the role they’ve played in her development, Kerkdijk is sure that Bristol is the right place for her to be as she looks to “grow and develop as a player.”
Having missed out on a spot in Sarina Wiegman’s squad for the Euros, Kerkdijk will be unable to help the hosts this summer but will join up with the Vixens when the tournament concludes.