After making his Eredivisie debut last season, talented striker Thomas Buitink will be hoping to make a big impact at Vitesse Arnhem under new coach Leonid Slutsky.
- By Michael Bell
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Buitink has been highly rated in the Vitesse academy since a young age and was heavily linked with moves to Manchester United and Chelsea before the age of 16.
The young forwarded decided to turn down a chance to move abroad and signed his first professional contract in Arnhem. He has since made a name for himself in Netherlands youth teams, with Buitink scoring six times for the U17’s in 15 appearances.
Last season after impressing for the U19’s and Jong Vitesse, Buitink was handed his debut in the first team as a substitute during a 3-1 win over Feyenoord last February. He went on to make another three appearances before the end of the campaign as he was preferred to the out of form Luc Castaignos as back-up to Tim Matavz.
Buitink, now 18, heads into the new campaign a full-time member of the first team and with no new strikers being picked up he is the alternative to Matavz.
Style of Play
Buitink is a centre-forward who also has the ability to play on either wing.
Full of running and pace, Buitink can be a nightmare to mark as he is constantly playing on the shoulder of the last defender and looking to get in behind. He has shown for Vitesse and Netherlands youth sides that he comes alive in the box and is an ice-cool finisher when presented with chances.
Buitink can score with either foot but is also a threat in the air.
What to expect from Buitink this season
Big things have been expected from Buitink since he was 15-years-old and being linked with the biggest clubs in Europe. Last season he made his debut and this year he is expected to have his breakthrough campaign.
The 18-year-old has scored for fun at every youth level and the U23’s but now needs to take his chance in the Eredivisie and prove he is the long-term successor to Matavz.
With Lammers, Sierhuis and Vente all set to have an impact this season, Buitink is another young Dutch striker looking to make a name for himself.
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