# NEC Champions League prep, squad cuts and transfers > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/dutch-eredivisie-transfer-activity > Updated: 2026-08-03T02:42:19.000Z. Sources: 27. Developments: 9. In early August 2026 NEC Nijmegen continued to fine‑tune its squad ahead of the Champions League third‑round tie with Olympiakos. Coach Dick Schreuder confirmed that Japanese midfielder Kodai Sano’s planned move to Hoffenheim had collapsed; the 22‑year‑old remains under contract until 2028 but is expected to leave later in the summer, with a transfer to PSV described as imminent. Sano, who missed the first leg after requesting to sit out citing fatigue, was also omitted from the 22‑player A‑list alongside fellow Japanese forward Koki Ogawa, who had only a week of training. Schreuder warned that players must accept such decisions or consider moving elsewhere. Ahead of the Champions League draw (scheduled for 20 July), NEC listed potential opponents – Olympique Lyon, FK Bodø/Glimt, Olympiakos Piraeus or the winner of the Turkish tie – and announced interest in Serbian striker Dusan Tadić (then at Al‑Wahda) and 20‑year‑old Danish forward Clement Bischoff on loan from RB Salzburg as replacements for Basar Önal. Former Ajax striker Kaj Sierhuis, now with NEC, praised Schreuder’s attacking philosophy as the club prepares for the European challenge. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-03: NEC Nijmegen drops Japanese forwards Koki Ogawa, Kaito Sano from CL squad NEC Nijmegen left Japanese forwards Koki Ogawa and Kaito Sano out of its Champions League qualifiers, with coach Schrijder citing conditioning and team policy, while Sano seeks a move to PSV. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nec-nijmegen-drops-japanese-forwards-koki-ogawa-kaito-sano-from-cl-squad ### 2026-08-01: Koki Ogawa Excluded from NEC Nijmegen’s Champions League Squad Japanese striker Koki Ogawa was left out of NEC Nijmegen’s Champions League qualifying squad because the club failed to meet UEFA’s locally trained player requirements. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/koki-ogawa-excluded-from-nec-nijmegens-champions-league-squad ### 2026-07-31: NEC coach Dick Schreuder on cuts and injuries before Champions League tie NEC coach Dick Schreuder explained the exclusion of Koki Ogawa and Adam Tahaui, injury setbacks and a thin defensive line ahead of the Champions League tie with Olympiakos. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nec-prepares-for-champions-league-debut-amid-squad-overhaul ### 2026-07-30: Gonzalo Crettas thanks Dick Schreuder after signing with NEC Gonzalo Crettas credits coach Dick Schreuder for his swift move to NEC Nijmegen, welcomes competition for the goalkeeper spot, and looks forward to the club’s Champions League tie with Olympiakos. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gonzalo-crettas-thanks-dick-schreuder-after-signing-with-nec ### 2026-07-27: NEC eyes European return as young star Dirk Proper battles injuries NEC prepares for a European tie with Olympiakos while academy star Dirk Proper, despite injury woes, remains key to the club's hopes. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nec-eyes-european-return-as-young-star-dirk-proper-battles-injuries ### 2026-07-25: NEC Nijmegen coach criticises club over transfers after 1‑0 loss NEC Nijmegen lost 1‑0 to Elversberg; coach Nick Sreder criticised the club’s slow transfer policy ahead of Champions League qualifiers versus Olympiacos. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nec-nijmegen-coach-criticises-club-over-transfers-after-10-loss ### 2026-07-18: NEC readies for Champions League draw, pursues new forwards NEC prepares for the Champions League draw, eyes signings of Dusan Tadic and Clement Bischoff, while Vitesse reports a confident preseason, saying “De voorbereiding loopt goed.” 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nec-readies-for-champions-league-draw-pursues-new-forwards ### 2026-07-18: NEC eyes Champions League push as Kodai Sano and Kaj Sierhuis gear up NEC’s Kodai Sano stays focused amid stalled transfer talks, while new striker Kaj Sierhuis aims to repeat his Fortuna scoring form ahead of Champions League qualifiers. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nec-eyes-champions-league-push-as-kodai-sano-and-kaj-sierhuis-gear-up ### 2026-07-11: PSV's Sven Mijnans and NEC's Kodai Sano in focus as Dutch clubs navigate player roles and transfers PSV midfielder Sven Mijnans discusses his flexible role at a club with two leading strikers, while NEC’s Kodai Sano remains in transfer limbo after Hoffenheim deal fell through. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/psvs-sven-mijnans-and-necs-kodai-sano-in-focus-as-dutch-clubs-navigate-player-roles-and-transfers --- Cite as: NEC Champions League prep, squad cuts and transfers. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/dutch-eredivisie-transfer-activity