Nicolas Verkooijen (19) Joins SV Darmstadt after leaving PSV

Nicolas Verkooijen (19) continues his career in Germany. The midfielder who left PSV has signed a contract with SV Darmstadt. Verkooijen made his debut last January for PSV and ended up appearing in five games for Eindhoven's first team. However, this young man from Belgium is now trying his luck elsewhere, after not extending his contract with the Dutch league champions. Verkooijen considers Darmstadt to be the right environment to develop. 'Recent history shows that players can develop further here,' he said on the club's official website. 'I consciously chose Die Lilien and the Tweede Bundesliga, because I believe that this is the ideal environment to grow as a footballer and as a person. I feel very good after the initial conversation with Darmstadt and I'm really looking forward to this new challenge.' At Darmstadt, who finished fifth in Germany's second tier last season, Verkooijen will wear the number 10 shirt. He will not play alongside Isac Lidberg (former Go Ahead Eagles and FC Utrecht player), who recently moved from Darmstadt. The Swedish striker has signed a contract with Borussia Mönchengladbach.