Turkish Side Rebuffed In International Keeper Pursuit

Adana Demirspor have been told their pursuit of Dutch keeper Andries Noppert has not been successful, as reported by VI.

Demirspor, ninth in the Süper Lig table, wanted to take the 29-year-old from Heerenveen, 13th in the Eredivisie this season. The Mavi Şimşekler are in the market for a new keeper before the Turkish transfer deadline closes on February 9th, and they see the Dutch international as perfect. The approach was for a loan until the end of the season, but despite losing his place at Heerenveen, the move was rebuffed.

Noppert was the starting keeper for the Netherlands at the World Cup in 2022 but has since been dropped by the mid-table side after struggling for form. Despite losing his place to Mickey van der Hart, director Ferry de Haan is adamant he wants Noppert back in form. ‘We must and will help Andries to reach his high level again quickly,’ he said, putting paid to the approach from Turkey.

Noppert started his career at Heerenveen but didn’t make a senior appearance, instead moving to NAC Breda. After a handful of outings in four years, he moved to Foggia, where he was described by Nicola Dibitonto, their goalkeeper coach, as a little crazy, not least for his habit of smoking cigarettes in his hotel room. Nicknamed Il Grattacielo ‘The Skyscraper’. he spent a single season in Italy before a move back to the Netherlands with Dordrecht, and latterly Go Head Eagles.

In 2022, with just 45 senior outings in his nine years as a pro, he moved back to Heerenveen and began to impress. He made the Dutch World Cup squad but returned to his club in January 2023 and picked up an injury, ruling him out for four months. Since returning, he has found it hard to capture that form.

Site Opinion

Noppert is something of a character – his car was once stolen by the Foggian mafia, and he found out about his inclusion in the World Cup squad live on TV. He certainly seems like a good character to have around, and perhaps that is why Heerenveen have closed this move down quickly.

What he does need is regular football. He turned pro in 2014, and has just 64 senior appearances in a decade – some keepers get that in a season. Perhaps the move to Turkey as first choice would have benefitted him, but alas, it does not benefit his club.