02.09.2022 15:10 h

Vertonghen joins Anderlecht with World Cup in mind

Belgium's most capped international Jan Vertonghen has moved from Benfica to Anderlecht, signing a two year contract, the Belgian club announced on Friday.

The 35-year-old defender, capped 136 times, had slipped to fourth choice at Benfica and was keen to play regularly with the World Cup finals coming up in November.

It will be the first time that Vertonghen, who left now-defunct Beerschot for Ajax in Amsterdam at 16, has played professionally for a club in his native country.

"He's home." Anderlecht tweeted.

Vertonghen follows two fellow veteran Belgium defenders who have returned home in recent months.

His former Tottenham team-mate Toby Alderweireld, who at 33 has 121 caps, left Al-Duhail in Qatar to sign for Antwerp in July.

Former Manchester City defender Dedryck Boyata, who is 30 and has 31 international caps, left Hertha Berlin for Belgian champions Club Brugge in August.