Antwerp allow former Ajax and Herta Berlin midfielder to depart for Udinese

Antwerp have agreed a deal with Udinese that see’s midfielder Jurgen Ekkelenkamp depart Belgium after two seasons. The 24-year-old has joined the Serie A side on a contract that will run until 2029. The fee is expected to be in the region of what Antwerp paid to sign the midfielder, which was around €5m from Hertha Berlin.

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In truth, Ekkelenkamp never quite lived up to expectations in Belgium. In 92 games for the side he scored 11 goals and grabbed nine assists, but there was always the feeling that he could have contributed more. He did help the side win the title during his first season, easily his best with six goals and seven assists in 40 games. Prior to joining Antwerp he had spent a season with Hertha Berlin, scoring three goals in 22 games. He had joined the then Bundesliga side from Ajax, having come through the academy in Amsterdam. He made 40 appearances for the Ajax senior side, scoring six goals and providing four assists