Kian Donkers (Birkenhead)

Likely a youth deal I'm guessing, but worthy of his own thread now. Congrats to him.

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2023/02/12/u-20-international-kian-donkers-joins-top-level-dutch-club-nec-nijmegen/

He's on the left in the photo. Presuming he will be staying now in NZ, until U20 WC is finished in June.

According this article reporting on NEC Nijmegen age group team results, Donkers scored a penalty on debut for NEC Nijmegen's U18 team last weekend to secure a 2-2 draw against Almere City U18. Sounds like he also did well in general.

https://www.forzanec.nl/nieuws/nec-o21-blameert-zich-met-ruime-nederlaag-tegen-roda/

Anyone got an update on how he's going? Last I heard was him scoring that penalty on debut for the U18s. I'm also pretty sure that was not too long before he travelled to Indonesia with the U20s, obviously wasn't in the U23s squad for the matches just played.

Update on Donkers, he got back to back starts in Venlo U21's last two games against Alexandria'66 on the 31st of August, and Alphense Boys last Saturday, both being comfortable wins.

Provided an assist in the Alexandria game and got a goal against Alphense. 

Venlo's next two games are against Westlandia and Fortuna S, keep up the good work Kian!

https://www.vvv-venlo.nl/nieuws/vvv-venlo-o21-wint-met-ruime-cijfers-van-alexandria66

https://www.vvv-venlo.nl/nieuws/overtuigende-overwinning-vvv-venlo-o21-tegen-alphense-boys

Since my last update, Donkers has continued to start in the last four Venlo U21 games, including on Saturday where he got another assist and goal in an 8-0 thrashing of Spartaan'20.

Venlo remain undefeated this season and the win has put them five points clear at the top of Group B in their division. Next up is the top of the table clash against Hercules.

https://www.vvv-venlo.nl/nieuws/vvv-venlo-o21-wint-met-riant-verschil-van-spartaan20

Donkers scored another goal in a 4-0 win against Hercules U21 on Saturday. Venlo continue their unbeaten run and now sit six points clear at the top of Group B.

https://www.vvv-venlo.nl/nieuws/vvv-venlo-o21-legt-ook-hercules-met-ruime-cijfers-over-de-knie

As mentioned by mrsmiis in the 'Young Kiwis Outside the UK' thread, Donkers has returned to New Zealand and is with Birkenhead.

A real shame it hasn't worked out for him in the Netherlands.