Go Ahead Eagles sell KNVB Beker hero Jari De Busser to AZ

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/de-busser-jari/WUMz0fU1/"]De Busser[/a], 26, joined [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/g-a-eagles/hG8POBb8/"]Go Ahead Eagles[/a] from Belgian outfit [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/lommel-sk/8EyXqyoo/"]Lommel SK[/a] in the summer of 2024 and took the starting spot from [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/plogmann-luca/pAM8VmpR/"]Luca Plogmann[/a] halfway through the 2024-25 season.[/p][p]In his first season with the club, De Busser wrote history by winning the KNVB Beker, the club's first major trophy in nearly 100 years. De Busser was the hero of the final, saving penalties from [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/buurmeester-zico/E9scgj25/"]Zico Buurmeester[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/lahdo-mayckel/4OBaagjU/"]Mayckel Lahdo[/a] in the shootout to win his club the final against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/az-alkmaar/2RxOow1i/"]AZ[/a].[/p][p]On Friday, AZ confirmed the signing of De Busser on a five-year contract. In Alkmaar, De Busser is expected to fight for the starting spot with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/owusu-oduro-rome-jayden/KxZHJGPg/"]Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro[/a].[/p][p][b]"I’m really happy to be here," [/b]De Busser said on the club website.[/p][p][b]"My girlfriend and I have already had a bit of a look around the city. It’s a lovely area and, of course, I was already familiar with the stadium from previous matches. Right from the start, I felt a warm welcome at the club. AZ feels like a family club that has grown steadily but, at the same time, hasn’t forgotten its roots."[/b][/p][embed guid="b501c8ce-ef08-4c30-9e19-5c95c586d2fe" url="https://x.com/AZAlkmaar/status/2067958932945965414?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]De Busser praised the club's ability to develop players and prepare them for a big move abroad: [b]"Over the years, AZ has helped many players to develop further and take steps towards a higher level. That really appeals to me. I’ve always had a soft spot for AZ, and being part of it myself now feels very special.”[/b][/p][p]AZ became Go Ahead Eagles' successors by winning the KNVB Beker in the 2025-26 season and have thus directly qualified for the UEFA Europa League. After playing European football for the first time with the Eagles, De Busser is now looking ahead to writing more chapters in Europe.[/p][p][b]“I’m looking forward to some great matches in the league, the cup and Europe. I love playing football, I like to find creative solutions on the pitch and I think a lot about the game. My strengths also lie in my goalkeeping and in one-on-one situations."[/b][/p][p]By signing a five-year contract, De Busser is clear about his intentions in Alkmaar:[b] "I want to win trophies. [/b][/p][p][b]"That was also a key topic in the discussions I had with the club. AZ has the ambition to keep growing, and I’m keen to be part of that. Taking steps forward together with the club and, hopefully, winning trophies again as soon as possible – that’s what I’m here for.”[/b][/p]