Netherlands call up Zirkzee for Euro 2024 after raft of injuries

Striker Joshua Zirkzee has been called up to the Dutch squad shortly before the start of the European Championship.

The Bologna player is to join the Oranje at their German base in Wolfsburg on Thursday, the Dutch football association KNVB announced.

Coach Ronald Koeman has seen Frenkie de Jong and Teun Koopmeiners withdraw from the squad due to injuries in recent days. Borussia Dortmund left back Ian Maatsen had already been called up and, with the addition of Zirkzee, the squad is back up to 26 players.

The 23-year-old former Bayern Munich forward was unable to establish himself in the Bundesliga despite a flurry of key goals in the 2019-20 season.

Two loans followed before Zirkzee moved to Bologna in 2022, where he scored 11 goals in Serie A this season and helped them to a shock qualification for the Champions League.

The Netherlands, the 1988 European champions, will face Poland in their first group game in Hamburg on Sunday, with Austria and France their other opponents.

The Dutch had to leave several other names at home due to injury. Forward Brian Brobbey also ended public training early in Wolfsburg on Wednesday with an injury. According to Dutch media reports, the 22-year-old underwent a precautionary scan and a serious problem was ruled out.