Go Ahead Eagles

Go Ahead Eagles is one of the oldest clubs in the Netherlands, founded in 1902 in the city of Deventer. Four-time national champion in the amateur era, it returned to the spotlight in 2025 by winning the Dutch Cup for the first time in its history.

History

Founded in 1902 in Deventer, the club adopted the Go Ahead name in its early years and became one of the powers of Dutch football in the amateur era, winning the national championship in 1917, 1922, 1930 and 1933. The Eagles suffix was incorporated in the early 1970s, giving rise to the current name. With professionalization and the creation of the Eredivisie, Go Ahead Eagles began oscillating between the top flight and the second division, but maintained relevance as a talent factory: Marc Overmars, one of the great Dutch wingers of the 1990s, started his career at the club before shining at Ajax, Arsenal and Barcelona. The De Adelaarshorst stadium, opened in Deventer's working-class neighborhood, is one of the most traditional and welcoming in the country. The 2024-25 season went down in the club's history: Go Ahead Eagles overcame AZ Alkmaar in the final and won the Dutch Cup (KNVB Beker) for the first time, their first major trophy since the national title of 1933. The achievement guaranteed the Deventer team an unprecedented place in the group stage of the Europa League.