Willy van de Kerkhof confirms Luuk de Jong's foreign adventure

Luuk de Jong remains clubless and is rehabilitating from a torn cruciate ligament, but the striker already has a clear plan: he wants to embark on a final adventure abroad, says Willy van de Kerkhof in the PSV‑podcast “Willy & René”.

Formerly at Porto, now looking for a new adventure

According to the SN‑Reliability Meter, fate struck De Jong at the end of 2025, just as he had joined FC Porto. He only managed five matches there, after which former Feyenoord player Santiago Giménez became the backup striker under coach Francesco Farioli.

Last weekend De Jong visited Eindhoven and the PSV‑environment, where he had a conversation with club icon Willy van de Kerkhof about the Heerenveen‑match (2‑0). “He, like his wife, still wants an adventure abroad. They don’t fancy the sandbox,” according to Van de Kerkhof.

A possible return to PSV is ruled out by Van de Kerkhof, and he finds that sensible for both the club and De Jong. However, Peter Bosz is struggling with a striker problem; Alassane Pléa, Sam Lammers and Ricardo Pepi are unfit, causing midfielders Sven Mijnans and Guus Til to be deployed as forwards.

De Jong has also talked about a possible role at the Philips Stadium after his career: “We’ll continue the conversation there as well, but I want to focus first on finishing this season as well as possible. First we get that second place, then I’ll evaluate what I really want,” he said earlier.