ALKMAAR - Ruben van Bommel is the latest addition to AZ's first team for the 2023-2024 season. The eighteen-year-old forward joins from MVV Maastricht. He signed a contract with AZ until mid-2027 on Thursday afternoon.
Van Bommel played in the youth teams of the amateur club in his hometown Meerssen and in the academies of PSV and MVV. On August 8th, he made his official debut in the first team of MVV, coincidentally in a match against Jong AZ at the AFAS Training Complex.
Best Talent
In the past season, the fast and technically skilled left winger appeared in 31 matches for MVV in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie. In these games, the young talent contributed fifteen goals and five assists. This means that he was directly involved in an impressive 53 percent of MVV's goals during his playing time. He was also named the Best Talent of the Eerste Divisie in the 2022-2023 season.
Van Bommel: 'Felt best'
Van Bommel explains that he based his decision to join AZ on the good feeling he has about the club. "I was happy to hear that such a big Dutch club wanted me. That means something. The conversation went well, and then I had to see how things were at the club. A few more discussions took place, and in the end, it felt the best for me here. That's why I chose AZ," he says.
Family ties
The player also mentions family ties when describing his decision-making process. His grandfather Bert van Marwijk played for AZ in the past and won the KNVB Cup in 1978. "He was also a left winger. I think he did well, so I hope I can do just as well," says a proud grandson.
Huiberts: 'Good conditions'
When Van Bommel started playing for MVV last season, Director of Football Affairs Max Huiberts and his scouts immediately noticed his talent and many positive attributes. "We already knew him from the period he played in the youth teams of PSV, so he wasn't completely unknown to us. It's good to see that he made an impact with his goals and assists and quickly adapted to a higher level."
Further development
According to Huiberts, there is no doubt that the new addition possesses a lot of talent and football intelligence. "What you don't see so often anymore is players who can play both in tight spaces and exploit the space behind the defense. Additionally, he has good individual skills and maintains awareness in the final phase. He is intelligent and has an eye for his teammates. He will have the opportunity to further develop himself at AZ over the next few years and become an even better and more complete player."
Number 15
Van Bommel will join AZ's preparations for the new season immediately after the ongoing summer break. He will wear the number 15 shirt in Alkmaar. AZ does not disclose the transfer fee.
