The Dutch player arrived at Málaga last summer from Hamburg, and a year later is part of the Rotterdam-based team coached by Ronald Koeman. Mathijsen played a total of 2,512 minutes in League games last season, taking part in 28 matches as part of the starting 11, and scoring one goal. He played in three games in the Copa del Rey, totalling 270 minutes. The Holland-born defender also played for his country in Euro 2012.
