BRUSSELS (AP) — Belgian champion Antwerp has brought in Netherlands left back Owen Wijndal on loan until the end of the season ahead of its Champions League campaign.

Antwerp defeated Greek club AEK Athens last month in a playoff to reach he group stage for the first time. The club has been placed in Group H alongside Barcelona, Porto and Shakhtar Donetsk.

Wijndal joined from Ajax, where he played 28 games last season but was not part of new coach Maurice Steijn's plans.

The 23-year-old left-footed defender has made 11 appearances with the Dutch national team. His contract with Ajax runs until June 30, 2027.

Antwerp won its first Belgian league title since 1957 in June on a dramatic final day of the season. Antwerp also won the Belgian Cup last season, making it the fifth club in the history of Belgian soccer to secure the double.

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