FC Twente had a difficult campaign last season but one of the shining lights was young full back Hidde Ter Avest.
- By Michael Bell
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The young right back has been a star of the FC Twente youth team for years and made his first-team debut at the age of 17 during the 2014/15 season, in which he made ten Eredivisie appearances. Twente’s money issues meant Ter Avest’s emergence was a god send for coach Rene Hake, who promoted the youngster permanently to the first team last season and he was the starter at right back for most of the campaign. The 19-year-old started 28 of the 34 league games last season, scoring his first goal in a 4-0 win over Heracles Almelo, whilst also adding two assists.
After an impressive campaign with Twente, Ter Avest was selected for the Dutch U19 squad which competed at this summer’s European Championships. He was played at centre back during the tournament and started all four games with Netherlands knocked out in the group stage.
Style of play
Ter Avest is a strong and tenacious right-back, but with his height he could have a future in the centre of defence. The youngster never gives up against an opponent with his speed a match to most wingers in the Eredivisie. He loves to move forward to join attacks, but his main strength’s are in his ability to anticipate slide tackles and blocking the ball. He is still only 19 and his concentration can sometimes drift during games, while his crossing and final product in the final third needs to be worked on next season.
What can we expect from Ter Avest this season
Ter Avest is one of the brightest defensive talents in the Netherlands and is earmarked as a future starter for the Dutch national team. Ter Avest will be a permanent fixture in the Twente starting line-up this season and will look to make the step up from Netherlands U19’s to the U21 squad.
If Ter Avest can develop the weaknesses in his game then he will surely be on his way out of cash-strapped FC Twente sooner rather than later.
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