The Dutch top-flight club announced on Monday that they had managed to sign the young defender on loan for the entire next season.
Rekik is a product of Manchester City’s youth academy and was at clubs such as PSV, Marseille and Hertha Berlin before joining Arsenal in January last year.
Nijkamp, while explaining the decision to sign the six feet one-inch defender, insisted that though Rekik has been involved in first-team training at Arsenal he will need first-team minutes to help his development.
That is where, the technical director feels, Sparta Rotterdam could become useful.
“Omar is well regarded as a talent at Arsenal, but it is not easy to break through there”, Nijkamp told his club’s official site.
“He trained with the first team, but it is important for his development to have minutes at the highest level, a chance that is greater at Sparta.
“Omar is a central defender who is strong at football, but also leads the way in battle and does not shy away from duels.”
Nijkamp further took time to give an insight into the competition his team had to beat off to sign the Arsenal man.
“There was a lot of competition to attract him, but we are happy that he chose Sparta.”
Though Rekik played for the Netherlands at Under-18 level, he currently represents Tunisia.
