Zulte Waregem is bringing in an icon from Club Brugge. Five national titles, a Golden Shoe, the cup and four times the Super Cup: Vormer witnessed the resurgence of blue and black in Belgium. And he embodied it too. He came out no less than 356 times for Club, good for 63 goals and 95 assists.
But the last two seasons it was less. Under Philippe Clement he suddenly became uncontournable at the beginning of last season. When Vormer started on the bench against PSG in September 2021, he even thought about handing in his captain’s armband. Schreuder also eventually passed him.
Club Brugge preferred to see Vormer leave this summer, but his wages were not good for other Belgian teams. He barely got three matches, and since mid-August the captain was even banned from the selection. But a transfer never happened.
Medical tests today
Six months later, there is still white smoke for Vormer: he becomes a football player again at Zulte Waregem. There had been interest in him for some time, although the financial picture was always a stumbling block. Now a solution has been found for this, because Club still pays wages to Vormer. But Essevee also has to contribute.
At Zulte Waregem, Vormer will find Jelle Vossen (ex-Club Brugge) among others. The fact that the Dutchman can now play football again is one thing. Today everything was formalized after the medical tests.
The challenge at the Gaverbeek will not be less: keep Zulte Waregem in the Jupiler Pro League. With four points behind in a safe place (and a tough calendar) that is absolutely no sinecure. If Zulte Waregem can maintain itself, he will receive a contract for two seasons.
“Ruud conquered a place in the list of Club legends”
“The transfer of Ruud was a huge success story for all parties,” Club Brugge manager Vincent Mannaert said on the Club website. “Ruud conquered a place in the list of Club legends and will forever be associated with Blauw-Zwart. We wish him every success in his further career and would like to thank him for everything he has done for Club.”
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“Club Brugge will always be my Club”, Vormer said goodbye to the West Flemish. “I experienced eight and a half wonderful and successful years there and can only look back on that period with gratitude. I would like to say a big thank you to everyone at the Club and all the supporters and will definitely see you again in the future.”
On the website of his new club, Vormer said that he “really wants to play football again.” “I think Zulte Waregem has been a very nice club for a long time. I may miss some match rhythm, but I want to give everything for Essevee and keep it in 1A.”
He is not allowed to play against Club
Another salient detail: when Zulte Waregem and Club Brugge (January 29) meet in the competition, Vormer is not allowed to play. According to the rules of the Jupiler Pro League, a player who is still partly paid by another club may not compete against it.
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