Fortuna Sittard have confirmed the signing of 23-year-old Moroccan midfielder Mohamed Ihattaren from RKC Waalwijk, with the former PSV and Ajax player agreeing a one-year contract that includes an option for a further season.
The Limburg-based Eredivisie side announced the deal on Thursday, confirming that Waalwijk will receive a modest transfer fee for the playmaker, who expressed a clear desire not to feature in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie this season.
Ihattaren, once regarded as one of Dutch football’s brightest prospects, reignited his career at RKC last term.
In 27 Eredivisie appearances, he scored four goals and registered five assists, becoming a key figure in their survival push.
His performances caught the attention of Fortuna, who moved quickly to secure his services.
The transfer marks the seventh club in Ihattaren’s senior career, which has included spells at Juventus, Sampdoria, and Slavia Prague.
While his ventures abroad failed to bring lasting success, his return to the Netherlands has helped stabilise his trajectory, offering him the platform to rebuild his reputation in familiar surroundings.
Fortuna Sittard will hand Ihattaren the number 52 shirt — the same number he wore at RKC.
Speaking to the club’s official website, the midfielder expressed optimism about the move.
At RKC, I had the opportunity to rediscover my passion for football, and at Fortuna, I will have the opportunity to take the next step, he said. The discussions with the manager were very positive and convinced me that it was the right decision, especially because I wanted to stay in the Netherlands.
Fortuna’s recruitment of Ihattaren is seen as a statement of ambition as they look to improve on last season’s mid-table finish.
His creativity, close control, and vision in the final third are expected to add a new dimension to their attacking play, while his familiarity with the Dutch league should allow for a swift adaptation.
For Ihattaren, the challenge will be maintaining consistency and discipline over the course of the campaign — areas that have previously stalled his progress.
The move represents both an opportunity and a test: a chance to prove he can once again be a decisive force at the top level of Dutch football.
With the season underway, all eyes will be on whether Ihattaren can turn his resurgence at RKC into sustained success at Fortuna Sittard, in what could be a pivotal chapter in his career.
