Oranje international Ilse van der Zanden has made a transfer just before the start of the European Championship football in Switzerland. The defender, who played for FC Utrecht last season, is transferring on a free transfer to Italian Fiorentina.
Van der Zanden has signed for two seasons with the club from Florence, who finished fourth in Serie A last season. She will be the second Dutch player ever at Fiorentina women, after Tessel Middag (2020-2021).
Van der Zanden made her debut at the end of last year at the age of 29 in the Dutch national team and was one of the surprises in national coach Andries Jonker’s European Championship selection. She is normally not a basic player at Oranje.
About two years ago, Van der Zanden was still an amateur. Due to serious injuries, she regularly doubted her future as a football player. Eventually, in 2023, she ended up at FC Utrecht, who had revived the women’s team.
Ultimately, Van der Zanden played 45 matches in two seasons for the number four of the past Eredivisie season. She had already announced in May that she would be leaving FC Utrecht. As a result, she was transfer-free.
The move follows two days before the start of the Netherlands at the European Championship. Oranje starts the tournament in Switzerland on Saturday against Wales. Earlier, Oranje internationals Daniëlle van de Donk (from Olympique Lyonnais to London City Lionesses), Daniëlle de Jong (from FC Twente to Juventus) and Jill Roord (from Manchester City to FC Twente) announced a transfer.