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Exodus at Vitesse has begun: Three departures, only 21 players at joint practice

After getting their professional licence revoked earlier in August, former Eredivisie club Vitesse have seen the first first-team players leave the club on free transfers.

Last week, Vitesse and the VVCS, the contracted players' union, held talks, and the Arnhem club agreed to "prioritise the interests of players who wish to leave, and contracts are terminated when these players are able and willing to make a concrete transfer to another club.

"On Tuesday, Vitesse confirmed the departure of three first-team players as free agents.

19-year-old striker Tim van der Leij (RKC Waalwijk), 18-year-old midfielder Jim Koller (PSV), and Georgian youth international Irakli Yegoian (Excelsior) have left the club with immediate effect.

Van der Leij joined Vitesse in 2017 at the age of 11, whereas Koller joined the club at the age of 9.

Koller played 23 games in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie last season, and Van der Leij is yet to make his professional debut.

Tbilisi-born midfielder Yegoian joined Vitesse in 2024 from the joint academy of FC Twente and Heracles Almelo.

The 13-time Georgia U21 international scored eight goals in 36 appearances for Vitesse last season, with one of them a spectacular bicycle kick from outside the box, which was voted Goal of the Season.

More youth players have reportedly joined the likes of Ajax and PSV, while Seb Huntelaar, son of Dutch icon Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, has been linked to Ajax, PSV, FC Utrecht, and FC Twente.

Little personnel at trainingMore players are currently holding out at Vitesse.

With at least seven first-team players formally skipping Tuesday's practice, a total of 21 senior and U21 players participated in the joint session, which Klaas-Jan Huntelaar partially led.

Vitesse captain Alexander Buttner understands the absentees and is awaiting news from the club.

 "Everyone is waiting to see what happens.

I don't know much myself," Buttner told Omroep Gelderland.

"I don't know what Vitesse have discussed with the KNVB.

We still have enough players to train, but there are also players in talks with other clubs or who are already on their way to another club.

"Vitesse captain Alexander Buttner continues to train with VitesseANP, ANP / Alamy / ProfimediaThe former Manchester United defender has committed his near future to Vitesse, but still does not know what will happen.

The expectations are that Vitesse and the KNVB will share more information on Friday.

"We'll keep training, and when you're enjoying the game, you forget about everything else," Buttner continued.

"We have to keep going, and we can still enjoy it, despite the situation.

We'll have to wait and see what happens at the end of this week.

I hope for good news and that we can continue.

"