Loovens on departure

Glenn Loovens and Sunderland mutually agreed to part ways this week, with the Dutch defender bringing an end to his one-year spell at the club.

Speaking in the Dutch press, Loovens said the past year had been a frustrating one, starting with injuries that prevented him getting up to speed and then being left out of Jack Ross’ plans entirely by the end of his time at the club.

He revealed that the club wanted to bring a player in but as one player had to leave to make room, it was best for both parties for Loovens to leave:

It all went wrong last year, I had a few injuries and never got into my rhythm. In the end I didn’t play at all anymore.

I trained all week, but on the weekend I could stare at the ceiling. That is nothing. I still asked the club if they might have a different position for me.

It was difficult too. The club was up with the budget. A player had to go to be able to bring in someone else. It was therefore better for both parties to separate. The club has solved this nicely this week.

The 36-year-old does not know what his future holds and will wait to see what options present themselves:

I don’t know yet, just let everything come to me. I still like the game. But I will also turn 36 next month. I don’t dive into everything anymore, but who knows, something will come along that makes me feel good.

My wife is going to settle down with the children in Belgium, where she comes from. I am going to list my options in the coming period.

If something nice comes by, who knows. At the moment I am open to everything.

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

Dutch commentator has his shin guards ready

VVV-Venlo’s signing of Lee Cattermole is a hot topic in the Netherlands but it has led to one football commentator to fear for his own shins.

Fox Sports commentator Vincent Schildkamp believes Cattermole’s disciplinary record is unbelievable as you ‘you almost have to kill someone’ to get red carded in England.

Such is Cattermole’s reputation that Schildkamp says he is going to take to wearing shin pads when he interviews the midfielder:

He is of course already a cult player in England. One with a frenzy edge, because he has received something from 100 yellow cards and 10 red cards in his career. In his native village he was not allowed to enter the pub at the age of twenty four because of his behavior That boy has something on his notch.

If you collect ten red cards in England, you almost have to kill someone. It’s insane that he comes to the VVV.

I think I’m going to ask him questions with shin guards.

Photo credit should read CARL COURT/AFP/Getty Images

Matthews on trial with Charlton

Lee Bowyer is keen to add another right-back to his Charlton Athletic squad and that need has given Adam Matthews a chance at earning a contract at the Valley.

The Welsh international has joined Charlton on trial but he will be competing with fellow trialist Tyrone Mears for the available right-back slot as Bowyer looks to add competition for Chris Solly.

Speaking about the trialists, Bowyer revealed that he will not rush to judge either Matthews or Mears, due to neither having much of a pre-season:

We’ve got Adam at the club, he was at Sunderland.

He’s Welsh international, 27, he’s a bit younger than Tyrone, but they’re two good players who are trying to get one spot.

We’ve got two in, both options, both are doing well, but it’s not really fair to make too much judgement as they haven’t done much a of a preseason, they hadn’t kicked a ball all summer until they came here.

Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images