Premier division football club Roda JC and first divison side Fortuna Sittard are to merge to create Sporting Limburg, news agency ANP reports on Thursday.

Plans for a merger were first announced last year but were opposed by some fans.
Sporting Limburg says its target is to be between 7th and 12th place in the 16-team premier division by 2013. The new club’s colours will be predominantly yellow, reflecting their current strips.
Both clubs are in financial difficulties. Roda has been bailed out by Kerkrade town council but Sittard has decided not to help out Fortuna, which has debts of €5m.