Business · Companies · 10 hrs ago
SC Cambuur reports €2.2 million loss despite record transfer income
SC Cambuur lost nearly €2.2 million in 2025/26, despite earning more than €4 million from player transfers.
The club from Leeuwarden in the Netherlands was promoted to the Eredivisie, the country's top football league, during that season.
Its loss was lower than the previous year's, and a sale of investment certificates reduced its negative equity from about €1.2 million to just under €500,000.
That improvement means Cambuur avoids a points deduction under the Dutch football association's licensing rules.
But debt for its new stadium weighs heavily on the club: it pays about €1.5 million a year in interest, while commercial income fell €1 million short of budget.
Cambuur says it will seek to reduce borrowing costs, improve financial controls and grow income through its youth academy and player transfers.
The club expects three to five years to eliminate its operating deficit; it plans to present a refinancing plan and seek new investment later this month.
SC Cambuur reported a net loss of nearly €2.2 million for the 2025/26 financial year despite record transfer income of more than €4 million.
Managing director Jesse Bergsma called the club’s financial situation “extremely urgent.”
The club’s negative equity improved from nearly €1.2 million to just under €500,000 after the sale of investment certificates.
Loans for the new stadium and their interest costs weigh heavily on the club’s finances.
Cambuur plans to reduce its deficit through refinancing, higher commercial income and investment in its youth development and players with transfer potential.
- Who
- SC Cambuur, a football club based in Leeuwarden.
- What
- The club reported a net loss of nearly €2.2 million for 2025/26, despite record transfer income.
- When
- The financial year ran from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026. The results were reported on 4 November 2026.
- Where
- Leeuwarden, the Netherlands.
- Why
- Stadium-related borrowing and interest costs, commercial income below budget and increased sporting costs contributed to the financial strain.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
SC Cambuur’s financial year ran, ending with a net loss of nearly €2.2 million.
The club earned more than €4 million in transfer income, a record, and secured promotion to the Eredivisie.
Pieter Kooi bought €2.9 million worth of investment certificates, helping improve the club’s negative equity.
Reports on the club’s financial results quoted Bergsma describing the situation as extremely urgent.
Cambuur plans an investors’ evening and hopes to share more about a refinancing plan and attract new capital.
- Net loss
- Nearly €2.2 million in 2025/26
- Transfer income
- More than €4 million, a club record
- Negative equity
- Improved from nearly €1.2 million to just under €500,000
- Certificate purchase
- Pieter Kooi bought €2.9 million worth
- Annual interest costs
- About €1.5 million
- Long-term debts
- €36.5 million
3 sources
What people are saying
The situation is extremely urgent. It is our highest priority to turn it around as quickly as possible.
That is a heavy sacrifice. We are trying to bring those costs down.
That is not about tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of euros, but about millions.
We want to establish the best youth academy in the Northern Netherlands.