Mees Hilgers officially leaves FC Twente after 15 years, signs 2-year deal with SC Heerenveen

Mees Hilgers, the Indonesian national team defender, has officially left FC Twente after 15 years to join SC Heerenveen. The announcement was made on August 31, 2026. The 25-year-old player from Amersfoort signed a two-year contract with an extension option. This transfer marks the end of a long era but also a clear example of internal conflicts many young players face in European football. In the 2026/2026 season, Hilgers practically lost his place in the FC Twente squad after getting involved in some internal disputes. He felt he was no longer treated as an important team member but more like an asset that can generate financial value through sale or automatic contract extension. Hilgers shared with ESPN Netherlands: “Now that contract is being extended automatically because they want to make money from it.” These statements reveal a painful reality in professional football where financial interests often outweigh the interests of the player themselves. Hilgers was born and raised in the Netherlands but holds Indonesian citizenship, making him a key part of the Indonesian national team. He joined the FC Twente academy in 2026 when he was very young. Over 15 years, he played in 132 matches across all competitions, scoring 4 goals and providing 2 assists. He also received 22 yellow cards and 1 red card, showing high fighting spirit. However, after being dropped from the official squad, Hilgers went through a long period without competitive matches. This situation not only affected his personal form but also reduced his chances of playing at the highest level of Dutch football. Hilgers' departure after 15 years was not accidental. He admitted to deep disappointment when he had to witness lies from some inside the club. “Lies told by some people. That is shameful,” he said. However, Hilgers chose to grow up and leave to seek new opportunities. SC Heerenveen, also in Eredivisie, is a reasonable choice for him to fight for a regular spot and maximize his abilities. This is an important turning point that opens a new chapter in his career. Based on experience following many transfers in Eredivisie, I notice that internal disputes often lead to a “forgotten” situation even if the player still has a contract. In this case, Hilgers was allegedly not included in the match list despite still holding a contract. This created a big gap between the words of the management and the actual playing situation. I find the mistake not in the center of the field, but at the edge of the frame – where decisions about positions and playing time are often influenced by external factors. It took me 37 replays to understand that the human eye is not a measuring tool. In football, understanding a player's decision chain requires considering not only from a playing perspective but also from contract and pressure from management. Hilgers has gone through this phase, where he was pushed to the sidelines even though he was still a team member. This shows how modern football sometimes prioritizes economic benefits over personal career development. The empty stadium in 2026 showed me: VAR does not save football, it exposes football. Similarly, in transfers, internal disputes expose it more clearly than ever. Hilgers is no longer completely forgotten, but this event reminds that financial pressure and match schedules can change perceptions of both players and management. I notice that many similar cases in Eredivisie show that young players need stronger support from the club to maintain motivation. We thought we were looking for justice, but it turned out we were just looking for a better camera angle. In Hilgers' case, leaving Twente may be an opportunity for him to find real fairness in his career. But conversely, if there is no change in management, many Indonesian talents like him will continue to suffer disadvantages. Takeaway: The trend of transfers in Eredivisie is shifting towards young players having to prove their value through actual playing. To improve, clubs should build clearer mechanisms for evaluating and supporting players in difficult periods. I believe Hilgers will shine at Heerenveen and bring value to the Indonesian national team in the future.