Transfers
Melle Meulensteen sits out Feyenoord-Go Ahead as Cardiff move looms
Twenty‑seven‑year‑old midfielder Melle Meulensteen will not feature for the Go Ahead Eagles when they meet Feyenoord at 14.30 in De Kuip, Rotterdam‑Zuid, because a pending transfer to Cardiff City in the English Championship is about to be completed.
The Eagles’ central defender played just a week earlier in Deventer, helping his side to a 4‑1 victory over Willem II, but he will sit out the upcoming Feyenoord‑Go encounter.
Impending move to Cardiff City
Sources told SoccerNews that the 27‑year‑old is likely to join Cardiff City of Wales, meaning the club will not risk using him against Feyenoord today. The deal is still being finalised, with paperwork yet to be signed, but the probability of a move to the Engelse Championship is high.
Past switch from Sampdoria and brief stint with Pirlo
Two years ago Meulensteen left Sampdoria for Go Ahead after a tumultuous spell in Italy. He recalled a short seven‑week collaboration with former Serie B trainer Andrea Pirlo, saying, “Ik heb in totaal ongeveer zeven weken met hem samengewerkt. Ik vond het verstandiger om de trainer de tijd te geven om iets aan te passen, maar de technisch directeur had een andere mening.”
He praised Go Ahead for its stability, noting the club’s warm atmosphere and the chance to play in the Europa League, which would be his first experience in European competition.
While the Eagles benefit from his contributions, the pending transfer means both clubs will await the final agreement before the player can feature again.
Should the move materialise, Meulensteen will add depth to Cardiff’s midfield in the English Championship, and Go Ahead will need to replace a versatile player who has already proven his worth in the Eredivisie.