CD Castellón Land Former Eredivisie Winner

Former Newcastle United defender Jetro Willems has joined Spanish second-tier side CD Castellón after a short trial period.

The Dutch international also represented Eintracht Frankfurt and PSV during his career, amassing 22 Netherlands caps, the last of which came in 2016. Most recently, he’s been plying his trade in the Eredivisie with Heracles Almelo but left in the summer as they narrowly avoided relegation.

Willems will be welcomed to the Nou Estadi Castàlia by current Castellon boss, Dick Schreuder, a fellow Dutchman who also played for PSV during his career. He’s the toast of the town at present, having guided the Orelluts out of the third tier last season. They were once a staple of La Liga, but they lost that status in 1991.

More recent seasons have seen them slump as far as the fourth tier, but after winning Primera RFEF last season, they’re back and offering Willems a challenge: get back to the top flight!

Jetro Willems, nuevo jugador del CD Castellón

ℹ️ https://t.co/0iYfanAdmx#PPO👂 pic.twitter.com/xApWPaVuMu

— CD Castellón (@CDCastellon) July 25, 2024

Born in Curacao, Willems started his career with Sparta Rotterdam but made his name at PSV. After helping his country to the European Under 17 championship, he joined PSV and represented them 190 times, winning two Eredivisie titles.

A move to Germany for a reported €5 million followed, where he won a German Cup with a surprise victory against Bayern Munich. In 2019/20 he joined Newcastle United on loan, scoring twice in 20 matches, but returning to Frankfurt on completion of his time in England.

He has since appeared for Greuther Furth, Groningen, and Heracles Almelo before his latest move.

Site Opinion

This looks to be a huge coup on paper, dropping down a division for Castellon. What’s interesting is the player is still only 30 – he should still be fit and firing. If he is, then there’s every chance he’ll be a big part of Castellon’s dream to bring back La Liga football.

Interestingly, he joins another Dutch player of Curacaoan descent at the club. Daijiro Chirino was with the coach at PEC Zwolle, and also plays in defence. Often, it is easier for someone to settle in a new country if there’s a fellow countryman already with his new team.