Ajax confirms Wout Weghorst departure to FC Twente
Ajax confirmed on June 27, 2026 that Wout Weghorst has left the club and signed a two-year deal with FC Twente. The 33-year-old Dutch striker exits Amsterdam as a free agent after two seasons, reuniting with Erik ten Hag at his local club in a move that beat reported Benfica interest.
Key Takeaways
- Ajax formally confirmed Weghorst's exit on June 27 after his contract ran through June 2026 with no extension.
- The striker joins FC Twente on a two-year deal under technical director Erik ten Hag, his former Manchester United boss.
- Weghorst had ruled out returning to Ajax and was linked with Benfica before Twente moved first.
- Despite never playing for his boyhood club, the Netherlands international returns home with Europa League football ahead.
- Weghorst scored 18 goals in 53 Eredivisie games for Ajax and brings 50-plus Netherlands caps to Enschede.
Why did Ajax confirm Wout Weghorst's departure now?
Weghorst joined Ajax in August 2024 from Burnley on a deal through June 2026. When that contract reached its natural end, neither side pursued an extension, and Ajax issued a formal farewell thanking him for two seasons in Amsterdam.
He left as a free agent after a disappointing fifth-place campaign, though he helped Ajax qualify for the Conference League via the Eredivisie play-offs in May. Ajax had until June 30 to re-sign him, but Weghorst had already said he would not play for the club again.
What does the FC Twente move mean for Weghorst?
For FC Twente, landing a Dutch international with recent Ajax experience is a statement of intent in a league where clubs outside the traditional big three rarely attract this profile. Weghorst turns 34 during a contract that runs into mid-2028.
Although he grew up as a Twente supporter and never played for the club professionally, he called the transfer a dream come true. Twente will compete in the Europa League next season, and Weghorst is currently with the Netherlands World Cup squad.
How did Erik ten Hag beat Benfica to sign him?
Rumours placed Weghorst as a top Benfica target, with Dutch journalist Mounir Boualin reporting he had even visited houses in Lisbon. Twente got there first, with Erik ten Hag — now the club's technical director — sealing a reunion after their brief spell together at Manchester United.
Ten Hag called the signing a golden opportunity, citing Weghorst's 50-plus Netherlands caps and professionalism. BeIN SPORTS noted the striker failed to score in 17 Premier League appearances on loan in 2022-23 but did contribute en route to winning the Carabao Cup.
For more transfer-market moves shaping headlines this week, see our Fintech & Crypto Alerts coverage. Ajax's full announcement is on Crypto Briefing.