Heracles Almelo has signed former top talent Jeff Reine-Adélaïde. The 27-year-old midfielder was acquired by Olympique Lyonnais for 25 million euros in 2019, but will be playing in the Eredivisie next season. The Frenchman is signing for two years in Almelo.
The arrival of Reine-Adélaïde is surprising. The 21-time youth international was considered one of France’s greatest talents ten years ago, but never lived up to those high expectations.
Reine-Adélaïde went through the youth academy of RC Lens and signed a contract with Arsenal in 2015. In 2016, he made his debut for ‘The Gunners’ in the FA Cup, but never made a Premier League debut. After three disappointing years and injuries, Reine-Adélaïde ended up at Angers, where he earned a top transfer to Lyon.
In total, Reine-Adélaïde played 39 matches for Lyon, who loaned him to OGC Nice and Troyes, among others. In 2023, he parted ways with the French club. Reine-Adélaïde joined Belgian RWDM and Italian Salernitana, but those adventures were also disappointing.
Heracles now hopes to help Reine-Adélaïde revive his career. “We are extremely happy with the arrival of Jeff,” says technical director Nico-Jan Hoogma on the club’s website. “This is a great opportunity for a club like Heracles Almelo. If Jeff stays fit, he is really a valuable player for us. We are positive about it.”
Reine-Adélaïde is the fourth summer signing for Heracles. Earlier, the club strengthened with Tristan van Gilst (De Graafschap), Antonio Satriano (Renate) and Leco Zeevalkink (NEO Borne).