Belgian midfielder Charles Vanhoutte has completed a move from OGC Nice to Feyenoord for a fee between €5.5 and €6 million, the French club announced on Friday. The transfer fee matches the sum Nice paid to acquire him from Union Saint-Gilloise last summer.
Vanhoutte arrived at Nice late in the summer transfer window, but has now departed after just one season on the French Riviera. During his time with the club, the 27-year-old made 38 appearances, scoring one goal and providing three assists. He was a regular in the Nice midfield, though struggled to cement a starting position consistently.
Feyenoord will represent Vanhoutte’s first experience playing in the Eredivisie, a league he is reportedly fluent in the language of. The move also sees him return to European competition, having previously featured in the Europa League with Union Saint-Gilloise and OGC Nice, as well as the Europa Conference League with Cercle Brugge. Feyenoord’s participation in the Champions League was a key factor, having recently appointed Giovanni van Bronckhorst as their new manager, replacing Robin van Persie.
The transfer appears mutually beneficial, with Nice recouping the initial investment made in Vanhoutte. Feyenoord, meanwhile, add a versatile midfielder to their squad ahead of a challenging season that includes Champions League football. The club are currently preparing for a qualifying round against Benfica. Vanhoutte’s arrival strengthens their midfield options as they aim to compete on multiple fronts.
