Our defensive options ahead of the new season have been boosted with the arrival of Dutch centre-half and former League One title winner Nigel Lonwijk from Wolves.
The 22-year-old Dutchman, who won the third-tier title when on loan at Plymouth in 2022/23, arrives at Kenilworth Road on a season-long loan from the Premier League side, with an obligation to purchase if certain criteria are met within the loan period.
Longwijk is reunited with former boss Matt Bloomfield, for whom he played under on loan at the back end of the 2023/24 season where he made 13 appearances.
Last term, the 6ft 5in centre-half made 26 appearances in League One with Huddersfield before a hamstring injury curtailed his season.
Nigel’s footballing career began on the books at Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven but joined Wolves’ Under-18s in January 2020.
His first taste of senior football came back in the Netherlands when he joined top-flight side Fortuna Sittard on loan for 2021/22.
The following campaign saw Lonwijk sign for Plymouth on loan where the defender enjoyed great success, playing 41 times in all competitions as the Pilgrims won the League One title and finished runners-up in the EFL Trophy.
In 2023/24, a loan at Grasshopper in Switzerland was cut short but he returned to action towards the end of the season at Wycombe under Matt Bloomfield, playing nine times in League One and scoring twice as the Chairboys won eight of their last matches.
His campaign with Huddersfield last term was a success, playing a major role in the Terriers’ push for a play-off place prior to a hamstring knock ending his season in March.
Manager Matt Bloomfield said: “We had Nige for a few months at the end of season before last at Wycombe and he was fantastic for us. I tried to get him back last summer but we didn’t have as much money as Huddersfield at that point, so I couldn’t get him, but he’s someone who we think highly of.
“He’s had a bit of a stop-start season last year and he’s not quite hit the heights that we all believe he can get to, but he’s got a really high ceiling and is another great lad.
“He’s got good versatility and can play anywhere in the back four or back five, and has incredible athleticism, he’s really good on the ball and we’re really pleased to give him a home.”
Welcome to Kenilworth Road, Nigel!
