FC Groningen has secured the services of Hans Hateboer, a 32-year-old defender and midfielder, after a nine-year absence from the club. According to Het Dagblad van het Noorden, Hateboer has been transfer-free since the summer after his contract with Stade Rennes was not renewed. A return to Groningen was already mentioned as an option, but now both parties have made the move official. Hateboer still needs to undergo medical checks, but if no issues are found, he will return to Groningen for at least one season.
Hateboer is familiar with the Euroborg, having played for FC Groningen's youth and first team from 2006 to 2017. He played a total of 87 Eredivisie matches before moving to Atalanta Bergamo in 2017. After a seven-year stint in Italy, Hateboer also played for Stade Rennes and Olympique Lyon, but both periods in France were unsuccessful.
Groningen saw the signing of Hateboer as a valuable opportunity. The team, managed by Dick Lukkien, is short on left and right-backs, and Hateboer can also provide routine in the selection. Hateboer will now undergo medical checks before officially joining the club.