Zirkzee: "I had personal agreement with Anderlecht"

INTERVIEWS Joshua Zirkzee was indeed very close to a return to Anderlecht last summer. In the newspapers today, the Dutchman says he had a personal agreement with purple-white. Yet he finally chose for an Italian adventure.


Zirkzee says he had very good talks with both CEO Peter Verbeke and new coach Felice Mazzu. "It was not an easy choice. There were a lot of restless days. But I definitely wanted the adventure in Italy," Zirkzee says. "Bologna presented a good project. Every three matches you have a top match there. The resistance is greater there. It was a purely sporting choice, money played no role."

Zirkzee himself may have had an agreement with Anderlecht, but his club Bayern Munich did not. "Bologna's offer must have been more favorable to them, but I if I would have told the club management that I wanted to go to Anderlecht, they would have listened, you know," the Dutchman makes a strong case.

At one point, Zirkzee was also briefly linked with Club Brugge, but there was nothing to it. "Noa Lang sent me some teasing messages that I should come to Club, but it was never concrete. I told him that in Belgium I only want to play for Anderlecht."

That the love for Anderlecht is still strong is proven by the fact that Zirkzee still follows his former team closely. Mainly through Instagram, but when he can he watches the matches. "But that's a bit difficult right now. When I have my own TV, it will be better."