Jordi Altena was still playing for amateur side De Treffers last summer, but just 6 months after his move to RKC Waalwijk he is already set for another transfer. The right-back is leaving for Scottish league leaders Hearts.
RKC Waalwijk are set to cash in on one of the most remarkable short-term value jumps of their season, with Jordi Altena on the verge of moving to Hearts only 6 months after arriving on a free transfer.
The exact figures have not been officially confirmed, but the agreement is believed to be worth around €1.5 million, and it reportedly includes a high sell-on clause. That structure is crucial, because it means RKC can benefit twice: once now, and again later if Altena earns a bigger move after establishing himself in Scotland.
From RKC’s perspective, this is the type of deal that can materially change a club’s financial outlook, especially in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie. A transfer fee in this range can be redirected into squad building, wage stability, and long-term planning rather than short-term patchwork. In modern football economics, the headline fee matters, but the contract terms matter just as much. A meaningful sell-on percentage is effectively a retained stake in the player’s future, and it can become highly valuable if the buying club is a shop window or if the player is moving into a league where strong performances attract broader attention.
What makes this move stand out even more is how quickly Altena’s trajectory has accelerated. Last summer, he was still playing at amateur level with De Treffers. That is already a steep jump to professional football, but Altena did not just step up, he adapted. RKC’s coaching staff transformed him from an attacking midfielder into a right-back, a switch that is not only positional but conceptual. An attacking midfielder operates primarily in pockets, between lines, and in central combinations. A right-back must manage spacing, timing, defensive duels, and transition discipline while also providing width and progression in possession. That Altena became a “revelation” in the role says a lot about his learning curve, his physical readiness, and his tactical buy-in.
In a season described as disappointing for RKC, Altena’s output helped him stand out quickly. For a full-back, 2 goals and 5 assists is a substantial return, and it signals that he was not merely filling a position but influencing matches in the final third. Those contributions can come in different forms: overlaps to create crossing angles, underlaps into half-spaces, late arrivals at the edge of the box, or quick combination play that breaks a press and opens the channel. Regardless of the exact pattern, the numbers underline the same point: RKC were getting attacking value from a defensive slot, which is often a competitive advantage at this level.
RKC’s timing in securing control over the asset was also decisive. Altena’s contract initially ran only until the end of the season, which could have left the club exposed to reduced leverage in negotiations. Instead, RKC extended the deal through the summer of 2028. That single action shifts the entire negotiating landscape. With a long contract, a selling club is not forced to accept a “take it or leave it” offer, and a buying club knows it must meet a stronger valuation. This is likely one of the reasons RKC could negotiate not only a significant fee but also additional protections like the sell-on clause.
Sporting-wise, however, there is no hiding the downside. Losing a right-back who has become a consistent starter and a direct contributor in goals and assists is a setback, especially mid-season or during a campaign where results have already underwhelmed. Full-backs often act as the connective tissue in a team: they help build play, they stabilize transitions, and they provide an extra passing option when the team is under pressure. When that player also creates chances and delivers end product, the impact of their departure goes beyond simply replacing “a defender.” The replacement must either replicate the same attacking thrust or the team must re-balance its approach, perhaps shifting creativity to the winger ahead of him or relying more on central progression.
RKC appear to have planned for this, as they already have Faissal Al Mazyani lined up as Altena’s successor. That suggests the club anticipated market interest and did not wait for the situation to become urgent. The key question will be stylistic fit. If Altena’s value was his conversion into a modern attacking full-back, then the replacement needs the engine, timing, and confidence to play that role. If Al Mazyani is a different profile, RKC may need to adjust their right-sided structure, such as varying the winger’s responsibilities, changing the full-back’s starting positions, or managing risk differently in transition.
For Hearts, the signing looks like an aggressive move consistent with a club pushing at the top end of its league. Bringing in a player with upward momentum, proven adaptability, and immediate attacking output can be ideal for a team that expects to dominate possession and play high up the pitch. In that context, full-backs often function like auxiliary midfielders and wide creators, so Altena’s recent role change and numbers can translate well if he adapts quickly to the tempo, physicality, and tactical demands of Scottish football. The transition will still be significant, but joining a league-leading environment can help, as the player may benefit from clearer attacking structures, more stable patterns of play, and teammates who can convert deliveries and cut-backs into goals.
Ultimately, this transfer reads as a classic “can’t refuse” moment for a club like RKC. They identified a player in the amateur ranks, developed him rapidly through a bold positional change, protected their leverage with a long extension, and now look set to convert that development into a major fee plus future upside. Even if the sporting loss is real in the short term, the financial logic and the deal structure make it a standout transaction for a Keuken Kampioen Divisie club, and a potential foundation for smarter squad building going forward.
Updated: 11:52, 23 Dec 2025
