Just 8 days after announcing his retirement from football, Ubbink was introduced to a new team
Article by Cosmin Nistor – Published Monday, December 29, 2025 20:31 / Updated Monday, December 29, 2025 21:23
Desley Ubbink (32 years old) quickly changed his mind after announcing his retirement from football a week ago. The Dutch attacking midfielder, then registered at Metalloglobuswas officially presented by RBC Roosendaal, the club for which he will play for the next year and a half.
Ubbink had announced that the match Metaloglobus lost at home against Unirea Slobozia, score 2-3, in the 21st round, would be the last of his career. The game had also been presented by the club as the last game in 2025, but also the last for the Dutch player.
Surprising return: Ubbink, officially presented in the Netherlands
Desley Ubbink (32) comes to RBC. He arrives from Metaloglobus, a team from the first league in Romania, and will join our first batch for a period of one and a half years after the winter break. He will play with number 9 on his shirt.
Previously, Ubbink played in the RBC junior team. After periods at RKC and Feyenoord (juniors), his career took him through clubs in Kazakhstan, Poland, Romania and Slovakia. In the latter country he played for AS Trencin, with whom in 2018 he eliminated Feyenoord in the preliminary round of the Europa League.
Ubbink returned from Romania to Roosendaal yesterday morning and is delighted with his move to RBC. “Yes, I did my junior here and it's nice that this club is playing at a high level again. RBC has ambitions, and that mentality suits me. As a professional footballer, you always want to improve. I had other options in Holland and Belgium, but the ambitions of RBC and the possibility to play in Roosendaal again were decisive for mee. RBC is reborn and I want to help my old club achieve its goals.”
– it is stated in the official message posted by the RBC club.
Desley Ubbink, officially presented in Holland. photo: Facebook
Who is RBC Roosendaal?
RBC Roosendaal (Roosendaal Boys Combinatie) is a Dutch club founded in 1927. It evolved over time, including in the Eredivisie, but went bankrupt in 2011. The club was refounded and is currently active in amateur football, in the fourth tier of the Netherlands.
I decided to quit because I didn't like it at all, that much, after 12 years away from my country. And I want to focus on another career, that of an agent, and of course spend time with my family.
I liked it a lot in Romania. The country is really cool. The level of football is good and it's good to play here. I have pleasant, beautiful feelings towards Romania and I really enjoyed playing here. We stick close, anyway.
– commented Ubbink for Gazeta Sporturilor.
Ubbink's path
In Romania, Desley Ubbink also played for UTA Arad, Corvinul Hunedoara, FC Bihor and Metaloglobus. In the summer of 2024, he wore the Corvinu shirt in the Europa League and Conference League preliminaries.
Throughout his career, the Dutchman also played for RKC and Feyenoord (juniors), Emmen, AS Trencin (Slovakia), Podbeskidzie (Poland), Taraz and Shakhtior Karagandy (Kazakhstan).
According to Transfermarkt, Ubbink is quoted at 100,000 euros, a value he has had since the summer. It reached its highest price in 2016, when it was valued at 650,000 euros.
