‘Double-edged sword’ – Millwall boss on midfielder making switch back to his homeland

Millwall manager has described Maikel Kieftenbeld’s move to FC Emmen as “a double-edged sword”.

The former Birmingham City midfielder, 31, has signed a two-year contract with the Dutch club, who have been promoted to the top flight.

“I’m disappointed on one hand because he’s a player that I trust and wanted to be here,” Rowett told the South London Press. “But it’s also a terrific opportunity for Maikel.

“It is a club very close to where he is from and he was always going to go back to Holland at some point, having had such a fabulous career at Groningen.

“It gets to the point where you have a got a lot of loyalty with the player but as much as you want to keep them, you don’t want to stand in the way of a great opportunity. It’s a bit of a double-edged sword.

“I’m excited for him to show Dutch football the improvement he has made in the time since he left.”