Mathijsen joins Feyenoord

Dutch defender Joris Mathijsen has joined Feyenoord from Spanish side Malaga for an undisclosed fee.

The 32-year-old has agreed a three-year deal with the Rotterdam outfit, and he admitted that he is happy to be returning to the Eredivisie after leaving the financially stricken La Liga club.
"I was playing abroad for six years and it was time for a return to Netherlands," Mathijsen told Voetbal International. "Then [technical director] Martin van Geel called to ask if I wanted to come to Feyenoord.
"This gave me a good feeling immediately. Feyenoord rose to the top last year and the club want to keep progressing."
Mathijsen, who has 82 caps under his belt for Netherlands, will replace Ron Vlaar, who recently departed De Kuip for Premier League side Aston Villa.