Founded in 1896 in Tilburg, North Brabant — one of the oldest clubs in the Netherlands, named after King Willem II. They have won three Dutch championships and finished second in 1998-99 to reach the Champions League.

In recent years they have moved up and down. Relegated from the Eredivisie in 2024-25, they came straight back through the play-offs.

Willem II finished third in the Eerste Divisie on 68 points, then won the promotion play-offs, beating Volendam in the final for the third and last promotion place behind ADO Den Haag and Cambuur.

John Stegeman, 48, took over immediately after relegation — having been an assistant at Royal Antwerp in Belgium — and delivered promotion in his first season.

Capacity 14,800, in Tilburg, sharing its name with the king the club is named after.

One of the country's oldest clubs takes on the Eredivisie from a ground this size — closing the financial gap on the big three with youth development and local heat.

Thomas Didillon (#1, 193cm), a French goalkeeper formerly of Monaco and Anderlecht, is in goal. Devin Haen (#9, FW), a 22-year-old Feyenoord product, was the promotion season's main source of goals.

The defence includes Justin Hoogma (190cm), previously at Hoffenheim and Heracles, and Indonesia international Nathan Tjoe-A-On, who has played for Swansea and Heerenveen. Up front, 34-year-old Thomas Verheydt — once of ADO Den Haag — adds experience.