Gijvai Zechiel, the 22 year old from Rotterdam, is now the new spearhead of Feyenoord. The all-round midfielder, who possesses defending, creating and finishing skills, has signed an extension that ties him to the club until 2029, after scoring five goals and providing four assists in his first seven Eredivisie matches. His rapid rise led him to win the Player of the Month award in August and receive his first call-ups to the senior national team, with two official appearances.
Zechiel was born into a footballing family: his father Rowan played at a semi-professional level, and the youngster began his career with Swift Boys and XerxesDZB before moving to Sparta Rotterdam. In 2018 he joined the Feyenoord Academy, where he made his first team debut in August 2023. He subsequently played two training loans, first at Sparta (13 appearances, 2 goals) and then at Utrecht in the 2025/26 season, where he played around 50 games, scoring 10 goals and providing as many assists, consolidating himself as an undisputed starter.
The market has shown great interest in the young talent. During the summer, Lille had submitted offers of up to 17 million euros, all of which were rejected. Currently, English clubs such as Arsenal and Chelsea are monitoring him closely, with demands potentially as high as €30 million for the next transfer season. Liverpool also expressed curiosity about the player, with the analysis of his performances in view of the Champions League matches.
Feyenoord decided to block his exit, guaranteeing him a contract that protects him until 2029, recognizing the player's value both on the pitch and financially. With dozens of appearances in the Eredivisie, Europa League and Champions League, Zechiel is already considered a key element for the club's future.
For Italian enthusiasts, the attention towards Zechiel is still in the developing phase. If he does not present himself as an imminent opponent, the English club that is watching him with interest could offer him a new challenge. The next step will be to see how his career will evolve in the next Champions League matches and whether the European market will be able to capitalize on his talent.