Valerenga has decided to send the 22-year-old Dutch forward Mees Rijks back to the Netherlands on a season-long loan to De Graafschap. The move aims to help the forward regain his form and secure more playing time. The club announced that Rijks will remain in the Netherlands until the summer of 2026. This loan is intended to offer him regular play and improvement opportunities, whether he eventually returns to Valerenga or opts for a permanent move elsewhere. It is suggested that homesickness and a dip in form are reasons behind this decision. His contract with Valerenga is due to expire at the end of 2026, and his market value has decreased from a career-high of €500k to a current valuation of €450k, as per Transfermarkt. Additionally, he had been linked with a move to Polish club Śląsk Wrocław.