Yacqub Finey: Excelsior complete signing of Swedish-Somali playmaker from GIF Sundsvall on free transfer

Attacking midfielder Yacqub Finey has completed a permanent move from GIF Sundsvall to Eredivisie side Excelsior, sealing a switch that takes the Swedish-born Somali international prospect out of Sweden and into Dutch top-flight football. The 22-year-old joins Excelsior with his contract starting on 2026-07-01 and running until 2029-06-30, marking his first move abroad and a significant step up from Sweden’s Superettan to the Netherlands’ premier division.

The deal has been finalised with the transfer registered on 2026-07-01, though the fee remains undisclosed and is officially listed as “?”. Finey arrives in Rotterdam with a current market value of €500k, underlining Excelsior’s decision to invest in a young creative midfielder whose value has been rising steadily. With his contract at GIF Sundsvall now ended, Finey departs the Swedish club rather than risk becoming a free agent later, and immediately links up with his new teammates in the Eredivisie.

Finey, who can operate primarily as an attacking midfielder, is left-footed and is expected to slot into the advanced central role behind the striker at Excelsior. Born in Göteborg and holding dual nationality with Sweden and Somalia, he represents the growing pool of multicultural Scandinavian talent moving to more competitive European leagues. His move also continues Excelsior’s recent trend of recruiting technically gifted, versatile midfielders capable of bridging the gap between defence and attack.

Prior to this transfer, Finey was on the books at GIF Sundsvall, competing in Sweden’s Superettan. From there he attracted attention with his performances in the second tier, helping to drive Sundsvall’s attacking play. The step up from Superettan to Eredivisie football is substantial, but his profile as a creative midfielder and his valuation at €500k suggest Excelsior view him as a player who can adapt quickly and potentially appreciate in value.

The switch to the Eredivisie marks an important turning point for Finey’s career trajectory. At Excelsior, he will face higher-tempo, technically demanding opposition on a weekly basis, offering a platform to enhance his reputation beyond Sweden. With his contract now running through to 2029-06-30, both club and player have committed to a long-term project, and his performances in Rotterdam will determine whether this move becomes a springboard to even greater opportunities in European football.