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NEC Champions League prep, squad cuts and transfers

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2026-08-03 00:34 UTC → 2026-08-04 22:30 UTC · added ~~removed~~

NEC Champions League prep, squad cuts and ~~injuries~~ transfers

In early August 2026 NEC Nijmegen ~~is preparing for~~ continued to fine‑tune its squad ahead of the Champions League qualifying debut against Olympiakos in Athens in early August 2026. Since the July pre‑season the squad has been reshaped: forward Basar Önal left for Lille, defender Eli Dasa departed, and several reserve players were released. New arrivals include veteran striker Dusan Tadić, loan midfielder Clement Bischoff, free‑agents Emre Mor, Adam Tahaui, striker Kaj Sierhuis, centre‑back Jakob Storm and defender Per Schuurs. Injuries to Bram Nuytinck and Per Schuurs have limited defensive depth, prompting coach third‑round tie with Olympiakos. Coach Dick Schreuder confirmed that Japanese midfielder Kodai Sano’s planned move to ~~call for additional full‑backs and a second goalkeeper. On 30 July~~ Hoffenheim had collapsed; the ~~club announced~~ 22‑year‑old remains under contract until 2028 but is expected to leave later in the ~~signing of Argentine goalkeeper Gonzalo Crettas, who will compete~~ summer, with ~~Robin Roefs and Jasper Cillessen. On 31 July Schreuder confirmed that Koki Ogawa and Adam Tahaui were omitted from the squad for~~ a transfer to PSV described as imminent. Sano, who missed the ~~third‑round tie, acknowledging their disappointment and allowing them~~ first leg after requesting to ~~be angry while urging hard work. He also left~~ sit out Willum Willumsson and Vito van Crooij. Injury concerns persisted: defender Philippe Sandler exited a training match early, midfielder Yassin Moslih was forced off, and Bram Nuytinck, Perr Schuurs and Thomas Ouwejan remained sidelined. A prospective signing, Ahmetcan Kaplan, citing fatigue, was also lost to injury, leaving the defensive line thin. Despite traveling with a large squad, Schreuder stressed that preparation must be intensive ahead of the European challenge. On 1 August the club reiterated Ogawa’s exclusion omitted from the 22‑player ~~A‑list, citing UEFA’s home‑grown player rule that requires eight locally trained players, four of them club‑trained. Coach Dick Schrijder noted Ogawa~~ A‑list alongside fellow Japanese forward Koki Ogawa, who had only a week of ~~training and~~ training. Schreuder warned that ~~the decision allows newer signings to develop, while retaining~~ players must accept such decisions or consider moving elsewhere. Ahead of the ~~option to adjust~~ Champions League draw (scheduled for 20 July), NEC listed potential opponents – Olympique Lyon, FK Bodø/Glimt, Olympiakos Piraeus or the ~~list before~~ winner of the ~~first leg~~ Turkish tie – and announced interest in Serbian striker Dusan Tadić (then at Al‑Wahda) and 20‑year‑old Danish forward Clement Bischoff on ~~5 August.~~ 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.

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