Jill Roord Rejoins FC Twente: A Homecoming Fueled by Love for the Game

Jill Roord Admits Losing Joy at Manchester City Before Emotional Return to FC Twente

There’s a point in many footballers’ careers when the glamour of the professional game fades into something more complicated. For Dutch midfielder Jill Roord, that moment arrived quietly during her time at Manchester City. Now, after two seasons in the Women’s Super League, the 27-year-old is heading back to where it all began — not because of fame or money, but in the hope of rekindling the joy that first made her fall in love with the game.

Returning to Her Roots

Roord has signed once again with FC Twente, the club where her footballing journey took its first real steps. Her return to the Netherlands marks a full-circle moment, but it’s more than just a sentimental homecoming. It’s a conscious decision to reset — to strip football back to its most human elements.

“I grew up here and developed myself here,” Roord told FC Twente’s official channels. “I played abroad for fantastic clubs for a long time and gave my all for eight years. In recent years, I have increasingly lost my enjoyment of football and my happiness, and I can already feel that I will find that here immediately.”

For Roord, this isn’t about stepping down a level. It’s about re-engaging with the game on her own terms.

A Frustrating Spell at Manchester City

Roord return to FC Twente is more than a transaction

Roord arrived at Manchester City in the summer of 2022 as a proven international midfielder, boasting Champions League experience with Wolfsburg and an eye-catching spell at Arsenal, where she had once netted back-to-back hat-tricks in the opening two games of the 2020-21 season.

But things didn’t quite click in Manchester. Though her stats were solid — 11 goals and five assists in 30 WSL appearances — her time in sky blue was marred by a serious ACL injury that sidelined her for a lengthy spell. As the physical recovery wore on, the mental toll became harder to ignore.

On paper, she was performing. In reality, the spark was fading.

At a club like City, with high expectations and a constantly rotating squad, it’s easy for even the most talented players to feel lost in the shuffle. And for someone who thrives on rhythm, relationships, and purpose, that disconnect can be fatal to enjoyment.

Why Twente, Why Now?

It’s no secret that Roord has had her pick of clubs over the years. After her breakout at FC Twente, she made a name for herself across Europe — from the Frauen-Bundesliga with Bayern Munich and Wolfsburg to England’s WSL with Arsenal and City.

But the call of home was too strong to ignore.

“FC Twente has always been my club,” she said. “And performing with your own club is the best thing there is. I hope to play an important role in that.”

Her ambitions remain as high as ever. This isn’t a farewell tour. Roord is still very much in the prime of her career, and with the Netherlands gearing up for Euro 2025, there’s every chance her performances back home could be the platform she needs to shine on the international stage once more.

More Than Just a Transfer

This move says a lot about the modern game — and the emotional cost that often comes with elite football. Roord’s journey is a reminder that success isn’t always about silverware or statistics. Sometimes, it’s about reconnecting with the sheer joy of playing.

Too often in football, especially in the women’s game which continues to evolve rapidly, players are swept along by the next big opportunity, the next league, the next contract. Roord’s decision stands out because it runs counter to that current. She’s choosing familiarity, comfort, and emotional resonance over bright lights and pressure.

A Glittering Career Still in Motion

Roord may be stepping away from the English top flight, but she’s hardly stepping back. Her CV speaks volumes. She has more than 100 caps for the Dutch national team, has played in the Champions League final with Wolfsburg, and has consistently performed across the top leagues in Europe.

Her past success at Arsenal in particular left an impression — those back-to-back hat-tricks against Reading and West Ham are still talked about. But even then, it was clear that Roord was always searching for a deeper connection in her football.

Now, with FC Twente back in her sights, that connection seems possible again.

What Comes Next?

The Dutch national team kicks off their Euro 2025 campaign against Wales on July 5. Before that, Roord and her international teammates will sharpen their skills in matches against Scotland, Germany, and a friendly against Finland.

For Roord, the timing could be perfect. A strong run of games with Twente in the lead-up to the tournament could put her right back in contention to start — and more importantly, allow her to do so with confidence and joy.

FC Twente will be equally excited about what her presence could mean. A player of Roord’s pedigree brings not only quality on the pitch but leadership off it. She knows what it takes to succeed at the highest level. And now, she’s bringing that experience home.

The Bigger Picture

Roord’s return to FC Twente is more than a transaction. It’s a story of coming full circle, of rediscovery, and of choosing happiness over hype.

In a time when the football world continues to push for more — more games, more exposure, more pressure — her choice to slow things down and go back to her roots is a welcome reminder of what really matters.

For Jill Roord, football started in Enschede. And now, in a moment where she needed it most, that same place might just help her fall in love with the game all over again.