Ex-Hatters defender leaves Wolves for Israeli Premier League

Former Luton Town defender Nigel Lonwijk has ended his six-and-a-half year spell at Wolverhampton Wanderers, agreeing to join Israeli Premier League side Maccabi Haifa on a permanent deal.

The 23-year-old moved to the Black Country in January 2020 from PSV Eindhoven, initially joining up with the club’s U18s before progressing through the academy. Having appeared on the bench in the Premier League when Nuno Espirito Santo was in charge during the 2020-21 campaign, Lonwijk was an unused substitute in the FA Cup fourth round visit to Chorley that season, also featuring several times for the U21s, including twice in the League Trophy against Oldham Athletic and Port Vale.

Lonwijk had a loan spell back in his home country when joining Fortuna Sittard, then spending the 2022-23 campaign at Plymouth Argyle where he played 41 times to help the Pilgrims win the League One title. The ex-Dutch youth international moved to Swiss side Grasshopers Zurich and then Wycombe Wanderers, part of the Chairboys side who reached Wembley in the Vertu Trophy, only to lose to Peterborough United.

He had an injury-hit stint at Huddersfield Town, arriving in Bedfordshire last term under Matt Bloomfield, as he played 45 times for the Hatters, scoring twice, both goals coming in matches against Reading, although struggled to impress at times, often used in a right back role. Having racked up over 150 senior appearances, Lonwijk has now moved to Israel to join a team who finished fifth last term, as technical director Matt Jackson said: “It's a really good move for Nigel and it comes off the back of a great development pathway that he’s had with us.

"We’ve certainly had lots of opportunities to really learn about where he’s likely to end up in the game and the levels that he gets to. He’s played a lot of games now through the loan system, having joined us as a very young player when the academy rules were slightly different and we could bring young foreign talents into the club.

"He’s progressed really well and has got great experience now, but we just think that with a year to go on his contract, it’s best for Nigel and for the club that he gets a permanent move and we secure financial interest in him going forwards alongside remunerations right now.

“He’s been absolutely great around the club since he joined, and I’ve enjoyed seeing his development. He’s also got a young family now so he’s got different responsibilities, but he’s been a perfect example to our young players and an excellent professional, so we wish him the very best for his future.”