Adelaide United’s newest recruit, Julian Kwaaitaal, has arrived in Adelaide with quiet confidence and a genuine excitement about the next chapter in his football journey.
The 20-year-old Dutch winger comes from a strong footballing background, having developed through the renowned PSV Eindhoven academy. His early impressions of Adelaide have been overwhelmingly positive, both on and off the pitch.
Warm Welcome in the City of Churches
“Yeah, it was really, really good first impression,” Kwaaitaal said of his arrival. “The boys welcomed me surprisingly well. A few friends like Luka [Jovanović] took me into the city to explore a bit. I really like it so far.”
Adjusting to life in Australia has been smooth for Kwaaitaal, with support from his teammates and the club’s staff. The transition from the artificial pitches of Dutch football to natural grass in Australia was one notable change, but not an unwelcome one. “I think I like normal grass more. It just feels a bit better on the boots than artificial grass.”
High Tempo, High Intensity
Having spent last season playing in the second tier of Dutch football, Kwaaitaal kept a close eye on Adelaide United from afar, tuning in via the A-League’s YouTube channel. He was impressed by what he saw.
“There’s a lot of transitions and a lot of running. The intensity is really high and I like to run a lot,” he said. “I’m looking forward to playing the games and feeling the tempo.”
Although it is only early days, Kwaaitaal knows what’s expected in terms of fitness and professionalism. “They’ve told me to stay fit because it’s a hard competition. You need to run a lot. But everyone at Adelaide United makes sure the body stays in perfect shape.”
Style of Play and Ambitions
Kwaaitaal describes himself as a quick and direct winger who enjoys taking defenders on, delivering assists, and getting in behind the backline. “I have a good shot with both legs, and I like to run past the man and deliver goals or assists.”
While he has shown versatility having played fullback at times, he sees his best football coming from the flanks, whether on the left or right.
Life Beyond Football
Off the pitch, Kwaaitaal enjoys a mix of social and quiet activities. “I love to do stuff with friends; bowling, pool, darts, and I’m a bit of a series freak,” he laughed, naming Dexter as a go-to favourite he’s watched multiple times.
He’s also excited to explore more of Australia, though he’s prioritising settling in first. “I want to explore too, but first I want to get comfortable.”
A Dutch-Ghanaian Heritage
Kwaaitaal’s roots are multicultural. He was born in the Netherlands and moved to Eindhoven at age two. His mother is Ghanaian, and his parents met at university. “I have one little sister, and my family wants to come visit here as well. I’d love for them to see how it is in Australia.”
From PSV to the A-League
Coming through the ranks of PSV Eindhoven, Kwaaitaal had the opportunity to learn alongside some of the Netherlands’ brightest talents. “I’ve played with players like Lee Young-Pyo and Noa Lang. It’s one of the best academies I’ve been through. They help you with everything and really try to create a profile for you to stick to.”
Looking Ahead
As Adelaide United prepares for the new A-League season with fresh coaching staff and a rejuvenated squad, Kwaaitaal represents the kind of dynamic, youthful talent the club is eager to build around. With his pace, work rate, and hunger to succeed, he could quickly become a fan favourite.
Whether it’s cutting in from the wing or charging down the flank, Julian Kwaaitaal is ready to make his mark in Red.
