Long-time Feyenoord goalkeeper Justin Bijlow signs for relegation-threated Genoa

Long-time Feyenoord goalkeeper Justin Bijlow signs for relegation-threated Genoa
Long-time Feyenoord goalkeeper Justin Bijlow signs for relegation-threated GenoaMarcel van Dorst / NurPhoto / NurPhoto via AFP

Dutch goalkeeper Justin Bijlow has officially joined Serie A strugglers Genoa, ending a 20-year career at Dutch giants Feyenoord.

Bijlow, 27, joins Genoa for a reported fee of €2 million, which would rise to €2.2 million in case il Grifone stay in Serie A. The Ligurian club are currently 17th in Serie A, three points above the relegation zone.

The reserve goalkeeper was allowed to leave Feyenoord after 20 years, with his deal in Rotterdam expiring in the summer.

Justin Bijlow joined the Feyenoord academy in 2006 and made his senior debut in 2016. Since then, the 8-time Netherlands international played 152 games for Feyenoord across all competitions in an injury-riddled career.

Since Bijlow's first injury in 2018, the goalkeeper has missed a staggering 174 games for club and country through 21 injuries, per Transfermarkt's data.

The injuries caused Bijlow to miss out on a transfer to Southampton last summer when a knee injury prevented him from passing his medical.

Boyhood dream

In a statement on Feyenoord's club website, Bijlow says a final goodbye to the fans.

"I'm not telling anyone a secret when I say that it's hard for me to leave the club. Especially in the current situation, which is close to my heart. But I, and many others with me, have seen the club climb out of deeper holes," said Bijlow, who leaves the club in the middle of a rough patch that's seen Feyenoord lose eight from their last 11 games.

"Partly thanks to you, the fantastic legion whose unconditional support I have always felt and for whom I have given my all. Thank you for that. Feyenoord is my club, my family and my home. Wherever I go, that will never change."

With Feyenoord, Bijlow won two league titles, two Dutch Cups and three Johan Cruyff Shields. The goalkeeper promised to return to the club one day.

"I had the privilege of playing in front of the stands where I used to stand as a young supporter myself. Playing in my 'own' stadium was a dream back then, and in De Kuip, but also beyond, I was able to realise so many more dreams with Feyenoord. I can only look back on that with enormous pride and a big smile. You made us feel like we were the greatest in the world.

"I am glad that I was able to share countless wonderful moments with you and celebrate trophies. I am going to miss everything and everyone at Feyenoord enormously. For me, it's true: never out of sight and certainly never out of mind. See you soon, without a doubt."

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