Panathinaikos' gamble on veteran de Vrij after Inter glory

Stefan de Vrij, the 34‑year‑old Dutch centre‑back, is poised to complete a transfer to Greek giants Panathinaikos after twelve seasons in Italy’s Serie A, a move discussed on the VoetbalPrimeur‑Studio Oranje podcast where former Feyenoord teammates praised his career and highlighted his development.

De Vrij grew up in Feyenoord’s youth academy alongside Kaj Ramsteijn and Guyon Fernandez. The three shared the B1 team, where de Vrij often played in midfield despite his defensive future.

Fernandez said, “He doesn’t have absolute speed, but football intelligence, gogme. He always gets a pass. Hat off to his career,” on the Studio Oranje podcast. He praised de Vrij’s football intelligence as a key attribute.

Ramsteijn recalled, “In the B1 he was a bit of a clumsy boy, nobody expected much.” He added that de Vrij later shone at Feyenoord and was eventually named the best defender in Italy while at Inter.

De Vrij spent twelve seasons in Serie A, primarily with Inter, establishing himself as a top defender. His performances earned him recognition as Italy’s best defender, tactical awareness and proven defensive record. The club values his football intelligence over raw pace, aligning with the qualities highlighted by his former teammates.

For Panathinaikos, signing de Vrij adds a veteran presence to a backline seeking stability. For de Vrij, the move offers a new chapter in Greece after a distinguished Italian career.