Crystal Palace sign Quinten Timber ahead of derby clash with twin Jurrien

Crystal Palace have signed Netherlands midfielder Quinten Timber from Marseille on a contract running until 2031, setting up the prospect of a London derby meeting with his twin brother, Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber.

The 25-year-old has joined Palace during the summer transfer window and could face Arsenal when the two clubs meet in the Premier League. The move means the brothers may line up against one another in one of English football’s biggest local fixtures.

Quinten Timber arrives at Selhurst Park with extensive domestic, European and international experience, as well as a collection of honours won during a career that has developed rapidly despite his age.

He began his football education with DVSU and Feyenoord before joining the Ajax academy alongside Jurrien. The pair progressed through the Amsterdam club’s youth system, with Quinten later making his first-team debut for Jong Ajax in the Dutch second tier.

Timber was part of the Netherlands squad that won the European Under-17 Championship in 2018. He also collected several domestic honours with Ajax’s youth teams during his time at the club.

In 2021, he returned to his hometown club Utrecht, where he spent one season and was named the club’s player of the season. He moved to Feyenoord the following summer and made an immediate impact.

Timber won the Dutch league title in his first campaign with Feyenoord. In 2024, he added the KNVB Cup and Johan Cruyff Shield to his honours, while also making his senior Netherlands debut against Germany.

Later that year, he was handed the Feyenoord captaincy, underlining his growing influence within the team.

Timber has won 13 senior international caps for the Netherlands and has scored once. He also made two appearances for his country at the most recent World Cup, staged in North America, after completing a move to Marseille in January of this year.

His transfer to Crystal Palace brings him back to England, where his twin Jurrien has established himself with Arsenal. Jurrien joined Arsenal before his brother’s move to Marseille and is now a key part of the club’s squad.

The possibility of the two players meeting in a competitive London derby adds an immediate storyline to Quinten’s arrival at Palace. The brothers began their development together at Ajax, but their careers have taken them to different clubs and leagues before converging in the Premier League.

Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish said the club believed Timber’s experience and character would make him well suited to the demands of English football.

“Quinten has a wealth of experience representing his club and country at the highest level,” Parish told the club’s official website.

“He is a player we believe will thrive in the Premier League with his leadership, fighting spirit and ability.”