Charles Vanhoutte signs four‑year deal with Feyenoord Rotterdam

Belgian defensive midfielder Charles Vanhoutte has completed a move from OGC Nice to Feyenoord Rotterdam, with the transfer officially confirmed on Friday and a four‑year contract set to begin this Wednesday, positioning him to experience the Champions League after Feyenoord qualified second in the Dutch league. According to market expert Sacha Tavolieri, the fee is estimated at five and a half million euros plus a 500,000‑euro bonus, while other reports cite a total of six million euros including bonuses. The move was facilitated by Dévy Rigaux, the former sporting director of Club Brugge, who previously worked with Vanhoutte at Cercle Brugge and Union Saint‑Gilloise. Vanhoutte, 27, becomes the latest Belgian talent to join the Rotterdam club. Vanhoutte will sign a four‑year deal and is expected to arrive in Rotterdam on Wednesday. He remains under contract with OGC Nice until 30 June 2029, meaning the transfer involves an early termination of his existing agreement. Transfermarkt values the midfielder at seven million euros.

Feyenoord sign Belgian midfielder Charles Vanhoutte from Nice

During the 2023‑24 season, Vanhoutte featured in 38 matches for OGC Nice, regularly starting in midfield. He started the first leg of the playoff semi‑final against Saint‑Étienne, a 0‑0 draw, but was on the bench for the 4‑1 second‑leg loss. He was also unused in the Coupe de France final, where Nice fell 3‑1 to Lens. Vanhoutte joined OGC Nice on 1 September 2025 from Union Saint‑Gilloise, where he had established himself as a key player. Rigaux, former sporting director of Club Brugge, had overseen Vanhoutte’s development at Cercle Brugge and Union Saint‑Gilloise. He earned his first Belgium national team call‑up in August 2025 while still at Union Saint‑Gilloise. Feyenoord qualified for the Champions League by finishing second in the Eredivisie. Vanhoutte will therefore be eligible to compete in Europe’s premier club tournament next season. Market observers note that the transfer is one of several dossiers to watch as negotiations progressed positively.