Telstar plugs attack gap after Peersman with free Groningen signing

Telstar moved quickly to fill the attacking void left by the recent arrival of defender Marvin Peersman, securing 26‑year‑old forward Rui Mendes on a free transfer from FC Groningen. The club announced the deal today, highlighting the need for fresh firepower after bolstering the back line.

The Eredivisie‑club posted the news on its website, confirming that Mendes will join Telstar Bij the squad on a free deal. The announcement underlined the strategic intent to reinforce the attack without spending.

Mendes signed a two‑year contract that binds him to Velsen‑Zuid until mid‑2028. The length of the deal gives Telstar a medium‑term option to develop his contributions.

He spent the previous season at FC Groningen, where his contract also expired. At Groningen he was not in the plans of Dick Lukkien, making only six appearances after a spell of 39 matches and four goals for the Trots van het Noorden.

Earlier, in the summer of 2021, Mendes left Hoffenheim on a free transfer to join FC Emmen, scoring 15 times in 36 games in his first season. He returned to Groningen in January 2024 for a fee of a quarter‑million euros.

Mendes is the second player this summer arriving from Groningen; earlier the club secured 35‑year‑old defender Marvin Peersman on a free deal after he wore the number fourteen shirt last season.

At the same time Telstar said goodbye to Tyrese Noslin, who departed for the Engelse Barnsley FC, completing the club’s summer reshuffle.