Football Season Guide

Roda JC Kerkrade missed out on promotion last season after losing to Excelsior in the promotion play-offs. A few big departures will hit Roda JC this season as Patrick Pflucke has left the club to join Swiss side Servette FC. The forward provided 14 goals and 12 assists in Eerste Divisie last term and so he will be a big miss. Regulars Richard Jensen and Robert Klaasen have also left the club after making 32 and 35 league appearances each last term. Stefano Marzo and Amir Absalem were last season's starting full-backs and they have also departed the club. They have mainly added options at the back, signing two left-backs, a centre-back and a right-back. Nils Roseler is likely to be the main addition at centre-back as he joins from Ingolstadt, being the replacement for Jensen. Boyd Reith, Ali Barak and Terrence Douglas also join in other defensive reinforcements in what is a new-look defence for Roda. Mohamed Mallahi will look to provide additional support going forward as he joins from Utrecht U21 on loan. He featured in Eredivisie at times for Utrecht last season but his five goals for the U21 will be a help for Roda. Expect head coach Jurgen Streppel to make additional signings before the window closes as Roda are in need of extra depth and quality, especially if they are to continue in their push for promotion once again this season.