The 19-year-old, who spent a successful year back in his homeland during the previous campaign, has signed a deal with Wolves until the summer of 2025, with the club holding the option of an additional year.
Having been in gold and black since January 2020 following a move from PSV Eindhoven, the Dutch centre-back made the temporary return to the Eredivisie last summer, joining Fortuna Sittard.
Lonwijk had already excelled with Wolves’ development side in Premier League 2, but in his first full season at senior level, he produced several impressive showings as a mainstay in the Sittard back line, while also becoming the club’s youngest ever scorer in the Dutch top flight when he found the back of the net against PEC Zwolle.
A youth international with Netherlands under-16s, Lonwijk will now get his first taste of senior English football, and strategic player marketing manager, Matt Jackson, believes the contrast between the leagues will provide the centre-back with vital experiences for his future career.
Jackson said: “Nigel was excellent at Fortuna, and for young centre-backs, it’s very, very tough to get game time, but he did that last season and we now want him to experience English league football and progress through this pyramid.
“There’s a really good mix in League One now, with some big sides – in which Plymouth are one – and teams obviously play a lot more games, they play to big crowds and there’s a tougher intensity to the league. Eredivisie tends to be more technical and slightly slower paced, so giving Nigel those varied experiences is exactly what we’re trying to do to support his development.
“Although he’s a very mature player for his age, he’s at the stage where he still needs that experience of games in different environments, and he’s going into a very good coaching environment down at Plymouth.
“They play a style from the back which we feel will suit him, but he’s got to go there and be competitive – something that you always have to be as a young centre-back – force your way into the team and play consistently well to stay in that team.
“If he can be a successful centre-back in Eredivisie and in English football, and is able to combine the qualities that both leagues have, then Nigel will be a top player.”
