Defender ends Wolves spell with permanent switch

Wolves defender Nigel Lonwijk has completed a permanent move to Israeli Premier League side Maccabi Haifa.

The 23-year-old has brought his time at Wolves to an end after six-and-a-half years, having joined from PSV Eindhoven in January 2020 and initially playing for the under-18s before progressing through the academy.

Lonwijk never made a senior appearance for Wolves and had six loan spells away from the club, but was involved in several pre-season camps, including the club’s trip to Portugal this summer.

He was not in the squad for the mid-week friendly win over Maidenhead and has now joined Maccabi Haifa for a fee of £500,000, while Wolves hold a 25 per cent sell-on clause.

Matt Jackson, Wolves’ technical director, said: “It's a really good move for Nigel and it comes off the back of a great development pathway that he’s had with us. We’ve certainly had lots of opportunities to really learn about where he’s likely to end up in the game and the levels that he gets to.

“He’s played a lot of games now through the loan system, having joined us as a very young player when the academy rules were slightly different and we could bring young foreign talents into the club.

“He’s progressed really well and has got great experience now, but we just think that with a year to go on his contract, it’s best for Nigel and for the club that he gets a permanent move and we secure financial interest in him going forwards alongside remunerations right now.

“He’s been absolutely great around the club since he joined, and I’ve enjoyed seeing his development. He’s also got a young family now so he’s got different responsibilities, but he’s been a perfect example to our young players and an excellent professional, so we wish him the very best for his future.”

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