Aymen Sliti targets Feyenoord starting spot after Excelsior loan

The 20-year-old Feyenoord winger, on loan at Excelsior, has scored three goals in seven games and aims to secure a starting place at his parent club next season.

Aymen Sliti is using his loan spell at Excelsior as a stepping stone to a starting place at Feyenoord. The 20-year-old winger, who moved from Rotterdam to Kralingen this summer, is the team's top scorer with three goals in seven matches for the side sitting seventh in the Eredivisie.

Sliti has settled in quickly at Excelsior. "Excelsior suits me well. I had a positive conversation with the trainer beforehand and thought: ‘go all out’," said the attacker. That mindset is paying off, as besides his three goals he has also provided an assist. His development and playing time are the core reasons for this loan move.

Jong Oranje and the future

The native of Hengelo, who moved from FC Twente to Feyenoord at age 14, combines his club football with appearances for the Netherlands U21s. He recently scored in a 4-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina U21s. "I saw the keeper leaning a bit to the left, so I decided to shoot hard into the near corner," Sliti explained of his 70th-minute goal. That performance helped the team qualify for the Euro 2027 U21 play-offs.

His long-term goal, however, remains Rotterdam. Sliti hopes to become a regular in Feyenoord's first team next season, a path he sees fellow academy graduate Givairo Read taking. He does not view the loan to Excelsior as a step back, but as a vital opportunity to gain match rhythm in the Eredivisie. Excelsior is currently benefiting from his qualities, with 11 points from seven games. Ruben den Uil's team can strengthen its position in the next round with a home match against Groningen, a direct rival in eighth place. The current standings and full squad are available on our site. Sliti's contract with Feyenoord remains in place.