After Sébastien Dockier, Pinoké will also say goodbye to Niek Merkus after this summer. The 29-year-old defender/midfielder will quit top hockey at the end of this season.
Merkus made the switch from neighbouring Amsterdam to Pinoké in 2020. With the Steekneuzen, he grew into one of the team’s strongmen and had an important share in the historic successes of recent years: winning the first national title and the first Euro Hockey League in club history.
Pinoké speaks of an ‘intelligent and dedicated sportsman’, who combined his medical internships with top-level sport. ‘In the big games he was always there. We are grateful to Niek for his years of dedication and professionalism,’ a club press release reads.
On Saturday 3 May, Pinoké will officially say goodbye to Merkus during the last home match against Hurley. Coach Jesse Mahieu (leaving for Amsterdam Ladies 1) and striker Sébastien Dockier (to Braxgata) will also be thanked for services rendered then.
