OFFICIAL: Fiorentina sign Tessel Middag

The Great Fiorentina Femmenile Transfer Bonanza of 2020 continues with former Manchester City and West Ham midfielder Tessel Middag. The 27-year-old Dutch international should shake up the engine room at the Gino Bozzi considerably.

Middag joins the Viola after two seasons with the Hammers, although she missed most of 2018-2019 with a knee injury that also kept her out of the Euros. Before that, she spent a couple years at Manchester City, a big move earned after four brilliant years at Ajax. Her trophy case is as impressive as anyone’s: she’s won the Eredivisie, the Dutch Cup, the Super League, and the League Cup as a professional.

While she was more of an 8 or a 10 at Ajax, she’s moved to somewhat deeper role since arriving in England, focusing more on her defensive duties. While her positional sense and ball-winning are top notch, it’s her dynamism with the ball that’s really interesting. She’s got an eye for the killer pass from those deeper positions and could easily fit in as the sort of play-dictating regista that Fiorentina have lacked over the past few seasons. She should be equally useful in springing the quick counterattacks that are Fiorentina’s calling card and in breaking down deeper defenses.

With the combative pair of Stephanie Breitner and Greta Adami (who just signed an extension) already in the fold and Janelle Cordia also around—although we wouldn’t be shocked if the American moved to fullback), Antonio Cincotta has lots of options in the engine room. Middag, however, is the sort of player you can build a midfield around, and we’re intrigued to see how she fits in.

Welcome, Tessel, and good luck!