Nordin Amrabat, 39, sets Dutch league record after agreeing to play for free
At 39, Nordin Amrabat has just set a historic record in the Netherlands. The former Moroccan international, who returned from Wydad Casablanca, agreed to play for free to continue his career. On Sunday, coming on as a substitute put his name in the history books of the Dutch league.
“I don’t need to be paid in euros, but in minutes on the pitch.” Nordin Amrabat’s statement sums up his state of mind. On Sunday, October 18, the Moroccan finally returned to the Dutch top flight as FC Utrecht beat FC Twente (2-1). Coming on in the 64th minute, he became, at 39 years and 201 days old, the oldest outfield player in his club’s history.
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According to Voetbal International, the previous record belonged to former Poland international Włodzimierz Smolarek, who played at the age of 38 in 1996. Amrabat also becomes the oldest outfield player to appear in the Dutch league since Denmark’s Jan Heintze in 2003.
Most remarkable is his return after an absence of nearly 16 years. His previous Eredivisie match was on October 30, 2010, in the colors of PSV Eindhoven. The opponent was FC Twente then, too. On Sunday, the former Atlas Lion played his 90th match in the competition.
An amateur contract and a helping hand from his brother
Having left Wydad Casablanca this summer, Nordin Amrabat joined FC Utrecht on September 1 with an unusual status for a player of his experience: an amateur contract, with no pay. The Dutch outlet FCUpdate confirmed the arrangement.
His younger brother, Sofyan Amrabat, played a decisive role in his return. The former Utrecht player and Moroccan international personally contacted sporting director Jordy Zuidam to discuss the possibility of bringing Nordin in. The veteran then spent two weeks training before convincing the coaching staff.
“I felt like a 17-year-old beginner,” Amrabat said after the match on ESPN. The player acknowledged that the wait had felt long since he joined the club nearly two months earlier. His coach, Anthony Correia, eventually gave him his chance against FC Twente.
A former player for Malaga, Watford, Galatasaray and AEK Athens, Nordin Amrabat has 64 caps for Morocco. He notably played at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. FC Utrecht gave him the number 39, matching his age when he signed.
