The Eerste Divisie is the second highest division in the Netherlands right behind the Eredivisie.
Founded in 1953, like the Eredivisie, Eerste Divisie is known for being a highly technical division, with a lot of players within the league priding themselves in their ability to create space and make accurate passes.
Eredivisie clubs are known to scout players from within the second division, hence its quite common for young players to move up to the Dutch top-flight through a transfer.
The System
The Eerste Divisie season typically runs from August to May, but the league takes a short break in December going into January to allow players and professionals involved in the day-to-day running of the league to enjoy the festive period and take a mid-season break.
The Eerste Divisie operates a traditional double Robin fixture system whereby teams play each other twice a season, once home, once away.
There are 20 teams in the league, hence; each team plays a total of 38 games a season.
At the end of the season, the Eerste Divisie champion secures automatic promotion into the Eredivisie whilst 8 teams that meet certain requirements go into what is known as the Nacompetitie, the second division’s promotion and relegation play-offs period. The 16th and 17th placed teams in the Eredivisie also go into the Nacompetitie.
Only the following second division clubs can participate in the Nacompetitie;
● The team with the best record after the first period of the season.
● The team with the best record after the second period of the season.
● The team with the best record after the third period of the season.
● The team with the best record after the fourth period of the season.
Along with the highest ranked teams that are yet to secure qualification for the Nacompetitie.
Because of the requirements, the clubs that qualify for the Nacompetitie tend to be the clubs in 2nd-9th place on the league table.
Clubs in the Nacompetitie go head to head for the two remaining promotion spots in the league.
Rules
Eerste Divisie teams are unable to field non-EU players who are under the age of 18.
Apart from the rule mentioned above, there are no foreign player restrictions in the Eerste with regards to matchdays and the league’s 25-man squad registration, hence; the Eerste Divisie can serve as a great stepping stone for foreign players looking to break into the European football scene.
It is worth noting that there are youth teams of Eredivisie clubs playing in the Eerste Divisie — only players under the age of 23 are able to participate in these teams such as Jong Ajax and Jong Utrecht.
Note: Jong means Young.
Financials;
Average Wage
The average wage in the Eerste Divisie is approximately €60,000.
Value of Teams
The 20 teams in the Dutch Eerste Divisie have a total market value of €168.28m.
Most Valuable Player
Valued at €5m, Ajax Amsterdam U21’s, Naci Ünüvar is the most valuable player in the Eerste Divisie.
Biggest Transfer
The League’s biggest transfer is till date is Frenkie De Jong’s move to Ajax U21’s back in the 2015/16 season. He was signed for €10.13m.
Overview
Country: Netherlands
Confederation: UEFA
Founded: 1953
Number of teams: 20
Domestic cup: KNVB Cup
International cup: UEFA Europa League (through winning the KNVB cup)
Level on the pyramid: 2
Transfer window: 3rd January — 31st January and 11th July — 2nd September
Number of Players: 564
Number of Foreign Players: 147
Percentage of Foreign Players: 26.1%
Most Championships: FC Volendam (6 Championships)
Average Attendance: 4,746
Teams;
● Almere City (http://www.almerecity.nl/)
● Cambuur Leeuwarden (http://www.cambuur.nl/)
● De Graafschap Doetinchem (http://www.degraafschap.nl)
● Excelsior Rotterdam (www.sbvexcelsior.nl)
● FC Den Bosch (http://www.fcdenbosch.nl)
● FC Dordrecht (www.fcdordrecht.nl)
● FC Eindhoven (www.fc-eindhoven.nl)
● FC Oss (www.toposs.nl)
● FC Volendam (www.fcvolendam.nl)
● Go Ahead Eagles Deventer (http://www.ga-eagles.nl)
● Helmond Sport (www.helmondsport.nl)
● Jong Ajax Amsterdam (www.ajax.nl/Home.htm)
● Jong AZ Alkmaar (www.az.nl)
● Jong FC Utrecht (www.fcutrecht.nl)
● Jong PSV Eindhoven (www.psv.nl)
● MVV Maastricht (www.mvv.nl)
● NAC Breda (http://www.nac.nl)
● NEC Nijmegen (http://www.nec-nijmegen.nl)
● Roda JC Kerkrade (http://www.rodajc.nl/)
● Telstar Velsen (www.sctelstar.nl)
Famous Player to have played in the Erste Divisie: Barcelona’s Frenkie De Jong, participated in the Erste Divisie for Jong Ajax before getting promoted to the senior team.
Fieldoo’s Opinion; The Eerste Divisie is a place where young players can thrive and nurture their talents.
