DONE DEAL: Mathieu Maertens ends nine-year OH Leuven spell for Cambuur

DONE DEAL: Mathieu Maertens, the 31‑year‑old former OH Leuven captain, signs De contract Bij SC Cambuur in Leeuwarden, Nederland, until season’s end with an option for another year; the free move ends his nine‑year spell at Den Dreef, where he was once seen as a successor Voor Hans Vanaken at Club Brugge and praised as a Nederlandse leader.

During his nine seasons at OH Leuven, Maertens amassed 254 appearances, scoring 48 goals and providing 23 assists, establishing himself as a regular starter and long‑time captain at Den Dreef. Muscle injuries and the emergence of Thibaud Verlinden, Youssef Maziz and Henok Teklab under coach Felice Mazzù reduced his minutes, leaving him alternating between the starting eleven and the bench.

Why Cambuur pursued Maertens

SC Cambuur, having lost their first two league matches, turned to the experienced Belgian to add stability. Technical director Lars Lambooij said, “Mathieu is a leader on and off the pitch, his résumé shows why he captained his side for years, and his versatility lets him cover large distances at high intensity.” The club also noted the presence of former Anderlecht player Ismaël Baouf in the squad.

Implications for OH Leuven and Cambuur

OH Leuven chose not to renew Maertens’ contract this summer, allowing him to leave on a free transfer and ending a nine‑year chapter at the Belgian Pro League club. For Cambuur, the signing provides a seasoned professional from the Jupiler Pro League to help the team stabilise its campaign and benefit from his leadership.

Other clubs such as KVDO showed interest, but Cambuur secured the deal, delivering a “big blow” to their rivals according to the club’s announcement.