A preliminary agreement was reached on Sunday between OGC Nice and Wesley Sneijder. The Dutch attacking midfielder, who arrived on the Côte d’Azur in the afternoon, now needs to undergo a medical examination before officially signing with Nice.
A few days after having eliminated Ajax, one of its modern icons—whose portrait graces the Amsterdam Arena—is about to join the ranks of Nice. Free after terminating his last contract with Galatasaray, Wesley Sneijder (33 years old) has indeed been convinced by the challenge proposed by the Gym’s management.
Coming from one of the most prestigious academies in the world, the Dutch international (131 caps, 31 goals) quickly established himself as one of the top references in the attacking midfielder position. A creator, passer, set-piece taker, and a man of character, the Utrecht native has always left his mark at top European clubs.
Launched into professional football with Ajax at 18, an international by 19, Sneijder has played for Real Madrid (from 2007 to 2009), Inter Milan (from 2009 to 2013), Galatasaray (from 2013 to 2017). The former captain of the Oranje, a finalist of the 2010 World Cup (and 4th in the Ballon d’Or ranking the same year), has been crowned champion of Spain, Italy, and Turkey, and won the 2010 Champions League with Inter as well as all the national cups in the countries where he played.
He will reunite at OGC Nice with none other than… Mario Balotelli, whom he played alongside at Inter during the 2009-2010 season. Under José Mourinho’s management, the Nerazzurri achieved a splendid treble, winning the Championship, the Italian Cup, and the Champions League.
