Van Duinen joins RKC on trial amid Waalwijk’s striking crisis

Mike van Duinen has joined RKC Waalwijk for training and trial matches, the club confirmed via its official channels on Monday. The 34-year-old striker, who is transfer-free, is permitted to prove himself in pre-season sessions with the Keuken Kampioen Divisie side.

RKC faces a striking crisis ahead of the new season after Jesper Uneken returned to PSV following a loan spell, Tim van der Leij moved to VfB Stuttgart, and Michiel Kramer retired. The club’s need for a new striker has created an immediate vacancy in the squad.

Van Duinen, who joined the Waalwijk squad on Monday, brings Eredivisie experience from his 2023-24 season with Excelsior. The experienced forward, who has been without a club since leaving Excelsior, now has the opportunity to secure a contract with RKC.

If RKC offers Van Duinen a deal, they would be signing a proven goalscorer. The attacker made his professional debut in 2011 for ADO Den Haag and has since played for Fortuna Düsseldorf, PEC Zwolle, and OFI Kreta. Over the past four seasons, he featured for Excelsior in the Eredivisie.

The trial period will determine whether Van Duinen can help resolve RKC’s striking shortage for the upcoming campaign.