We’re entering a beautiful era…

Feyenoord is going through the motions creating a new team that needs to compete with champion PSV, rival Ajax and the ambitious AZ Alkmaar.

The club presented Gio van Bronckhorst as their lates signing from Barcelona. After signing super-talent Luigi Bruins, neo-international Slory (both from Excelsior), international Tim De Cler and former international Kevin Hofland Feyenoord is also actively pursuing Roy Makaay, the phantom, who recently said no to Werder Bremen.

Gio is a Varkenoord kid (Varkenoord = Feyenoord’s youth complex) and started to wear the red and white when aged 5! The now 32 year old is keen to finish Is imposing career where it all began and is looking forward to seeing the new Kuip stadium appear on that sacred Varkenoord ground.

His return to Rotterdam created waves of euphoria in town. The most successful Feyenoord player – measured in a career of great clubs – is as enthusiastic as the fans.

Was it always his plan to come back? “When I left here, nine years ago I already said I’d love to come back and finish my career here. I just listened to my heart.” Even when PSV came by to sign him as the infamous Cocu successor, he didn’t hesitate.

Still, it took some time for Gio to make up his mind. “They showed me their plans some months ago. And honestly, it looked really good. But, it wasn’t clear whether they could make it happen. Peter Bosz called me on a weekly basis to inform me on the progress. When Bert van Marwijk said yes, and Tim De Cler signed on, I knew something good was really happening.”

And Peter Bosz knew Gio was “in”. “We want to build a new team and Giovanni is vital in that process. We have a core of young and talented players. They need a mentor. Gio has shown his worth at big clubs, like Glasgow Rangers, Arsenal and Barca. He is Oranje’s assistant captain and has proven leader-skills. We need that, badly. And if he is also a local boy with a heart for the club, it becomes a no-brainer.”

Van Bronckhorst made sure Feyenoord didn’t need to pay Barca a transfer-sum. “I had the deal with the Barca chairman, that if Feyenoord would come, I could go. Frank Rijkaard didn’t like it, I played most games in the last two months and Frank wanted to keep me for next season, but the club treated me great. They respected our deal.”

So Gio moves from the superstars of Nou Camp to the talents of De Kuip. “ I am really looking forward to guide these chaps. I can feel we’re entering a beautiful new era.”