NEC readies for Champions League draw, pursues new forwards

Dutch club NEC announced positive news from a recent lawsuit with the KNVB, saying the club feels "bevrijd" as it approaches the Champions League first‑round draw scheduled for 20 July. The draw will determine a possible opponent among Olympique Lyon (France), FK Bodø/Glimt (Norway), Olympiakos Piraeus (Greece) or the winner of the Turkish tie between Fenerbahçe and Górnik Zabrze (Poland), with the first leg set for early August.

NEC is also active in the transfer market, targeting Serbian striker Dusan Tadic – currently with Al‑Wahda in the United Arab Emirates – and 20‑year‑old Danish forward Clement Bischoff, who is on loan from RB Salzburg. Both players are being considered as replacements for Basar Önal, who left for Lille.

Meanwhile, Vitesse midfielder Ricardo Felipe Schwarz expressed optimism about the team's preparation, stating "De voorbereiding loopt goed." The club continues to test trialists, with former NEC player Ayman Sellouf still training alongside the squad.