Sparta Rotterdam has reached an agreement to sign Cedric Hatenboer from RSC Anderlecht. The 21-year-old midfielder will move for a fee of approximately one million euros and has already passed his medical.
The deal between the clubs includes bonuses that could increase the final transfer sum. Sparta Rotterdam is acquiring a large portion of the player's transfer rights. Hatenboer will sign a contract keeping him at Het Kasteel until the summer of 2030. Anderlecht, currently tenth in the Jupiler Pro League with three points from two games, is taking a step in reshaping its squad with this move.
Cedric Hatenboer moved from Excelsior to RSC Anderlecht in the winter of 2025. His time in Brussels, however, was not successful. He quickly became a fringe player and featured mainly for RSCA Futures, the club's reserve team that plays in the Challenger Pro League. He made five appearances for them.
Last winter, he was loaned to Telstar, where he managed to make a strong impression. That performance reignited interest from Sparta Rotterdam, where Hatenboer spent part of his youth development. For Anderlecht, which has scored two and conceded two goals this season, the transfer represents an opportunity to move on a player who did not fit into the plans and free up resources.
For Sparta Rotterdam, the arrival of Hatenboer strengthens the midfield with a young Dutch talent. The club is investing a significant sum in a player familiar with the Eredivisie and who recently proved his worth in the Dutch second tier.
The deal shows the ambition of the Rotterdam side to improve the quality of their squad. Securing a large portion of the transfer rights is also a strategic move for the future. Fans can follow the team's composition on our squad page.
The sale of Hatenboer comes as RSC Anderlecht experiences a mixed start to the season. The Brussels club sits in tenth place with three points from two matches and trails leaders Charleroi by nine points. The board and technical staff are working on optimizing the group.
With a goal difference of zero and a recent form of loss and win (LW), there is room for improvement. The focus now shifts to the next league match against Zulte Waregem, which takes place at home in the Lotto Park on September 19. Zulte Waregem currently sits fourth, making it an important early-season fixture. The full schedule can be found on our fixtures page.
For Cedric Hatenboer, preparation now begins for his Eredivisie return with Sparta. He will need to prove himself to secure a regular spot in coach Jeroen Rijsdijk's team.
For RSC Anderlecht, attention turns to improving performances on the pitch. The club must reduce the nine-point gap to the top and quickly find a connection with the leading pack. The current league table can be followed on our standings page. The Hatenboer transfer is a financial transaction, but the real work must be done on the grass in the coming weeks.
