Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman has sensationally told Steven Bergwijn his international career is over after sealing a switch to Saudi Arabia.
The 26-year-old completed a £17.6million move from Ajax to Al-Ittihad on Monday after previously being linked with Leicester City.
Bergwijn, who left Tottenham in 2022, was part of the Netherlands squad at Euro 2024, featuring twice in his country’s run to the semi-finals.
But the forward has been left out of the squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League games against Bosnia and Germany.
That’s because Koeman has savagely told the star that his Saudi Pro League move has scuppered his hopes of adding to his 35 caps for the Oranje.
"Steven Bergwijn goes to Saudi Arabia at age 26. It's clear that this has nothing to do with sportive ambition," Koeman told a press conference on Tuesday.
"His book with the Dutch National Team is closed. He probably knows what I would have said this."
Bergwijn made a name for himself in the Ajax academy before joining rivals PSV Eindhoven after falling out with a coach.
The forward broke into the first team and went on to score 29 times in 112 games for the Dutch giants.
He signed for Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham in January 2020 in a £27m deal but struggled to find his best form.
Bergwijn returned to Ajax 18-months later for £26.4m, scoring 29 goals in 80 games for his hometown club.
His move to Al-Ittihad will see him link up with former Premier League stars N’Golo Kante, Moussa DIaby and Fabinho.
Former Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema remains the star name at the club after his move from Real Madrid in 2023.