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Vilhena Returns to Dutch Football: Willem II Secure Experienced Midfielder
Tonny Vilhena has completed a move back to the Netherlands, joining Willem II from Panathinaikos on 25 August 2026. The 31-year-old midfielder brings a wealth of top-flight experience and a trophy-laden CV to Tilburg.
Tonny Vilhena has returned to Dutch football, officially joining Willem II from Panathinaikos on 25 August 2026. The 31-year-old midfielder, born in Maassluis, brings a rich tapestry of European experience back to the Eredivisie, signing for the Tilburg club as a free agent with no disclosed transfer fee.
At a glance
- Player: Tonny Vilhena, 31, Midfielder (Netherlands)
- Move: From Panathinaikos (Greece) to Willem II (Netherlands)
- Date: 25 August 2026 (Free transfer / contract termination)
Career Context
Vilhena’s career path is a journeyman’s route across some of Europe’s most competitive leagues. After establishing himself at Feyenoord, where he won the Eredivisie title in 2016/2017 and the KNVB Beker in 2015/2016 and 2017/2018, he moved to FC Krasnodar in Russia for a fee of €9M in 2019. His Russian stint was followed by a switch to Espanyol in Spain, initially costing €2.5M in 2022, interspersed with loan spells at Salernitana.
A permanent transfer to Panathinaikos in 2023 for €3M saw him win the Greek Cup in the 2023/2024 season. However, his recent spell in Athens was disrupted; he spent time on loan at Alanyaspor in Turkey before returning to the Greek giants, though he struggled for consistent minutes in the 2025 campaign, making only limited appearances off the bench.
How he fits at his new club
Apps
Goals
Assists
Minutes
Rating
Willem II, playing out of the Koning Willem II Stadion in Tilburg, will be looking to Vilhena’s technique and attacking attributes (rated at 100 and 89 respectively in the database) to bolster their midfield creativity. At 31, he arrives as a highly experienced operator capable of controlling the tempo of a match. His 91% pass accuracy from his recent limited minutes in Greece suggests a high level of technical retention under pressure, ideal for a side aiming to build play from the back. While his defensive rating is low (18), his role is likely to be focused on distribution and linking play rather than physical defensive duties.
Recent Numbers
In the 2025 season with Panathinaikos, Vilhena’s involvement was peripheral: - Super League 1: 2 appearances, 24 minutes played, rating of 6.35. - Greek Cup: 1 appearance, 0 minutes played (substitute). - Overall season totals: 3 appearances, 10 bench appearances, 0 goals, 0 assists, 12 passes completed, 3 shots (2 on target), and 1 tackle.
Despite the low minute tally, his underlying metrics show efficiency: he did not commit a single foul, received only 1 yellow card, and maintained a 100% duels won record in his limited action.
Key Takeaways
- Experience Edge: Vilhena brings Eredivisie winner's medals, Greek Cup winner's medals, and UEFA Nations League runner-up pedigree (2018/2019) to the Willem II dressing room.
- Technical Profile: With a 100 technique rating and 91% pass accuracy, he is a short-to-medium-term solution for Willem II's possession-based transition.
- Free Agent Value: Joining without a transfer fee, Vilhena represents a low-risk, high-reward signing for the Dutch club to inject midfield quality in the latter stages of his career.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Age | 31 |
| Position | Midfielder |
| Nationality | Netherlands |
| Previous Club | Panathinaikos |
| New Club | Willem II |
| Transfer Date | 25 August 2026 |
| Fee | Undisclosed (Free Transfer) |