By John Essien
Cyriel Dessers will return to KRC Genk after Feyenoord’s inability to meet the release clause of the Nigerian international striker, the Belgium outfit announced.
Dessers, 27, linked up with Feyenoord from the Belgian Pro League club on a season-long deal last summer, following his failure to break into the starting line-up, and thus falling surplus to requirements.
He had a stellar campaign with the Castle Lords during the 2021/22 season, helping them to the UEFA Conference League finals by bagging ten goals and two assists in 13 appearances.
Dessers also scored nine goals and made two assists in the run-up to his side’s third-place finish in the Eredivisie which made it look like Feyenoord would sign him permanently.
Genk had slammed €4m price tag on the striker which appeared to have been a huge task for the Dutch side amid desire to extend his stay.
Feyenoord will, however, not sign the Super Eagles star permanently, and he will make a return to Belgium at the expiration of his loan deal with the Europa Conference League finalists.
“Feyenoord has officially informed our club this afternoon that it will not remove Cyriel Dessers’ purchase option,” Genk confirmed this on its official website on Wednesday afternoon.
“This means that Cyriel will rejoin KRC Genk in preparation. We wish Cyriel good luck with the international competitions and are looking forward to seeing you again in blue and white.”
Dessers is currently with the Super Eagles in Texas, United States as they prepare for their upcoming AFCON 2023 qualifiers this month. He scored his first goal in Nigeria’s 2-1 defeat to Mexico on Sunday and will hope to continue with his scoring form when Coach Jose Peseiro’s charges face Ecuador on Friday.