Veteran Serbian attacker Dusan Tadic has chosen to join NEC Nijmegen, citing the club's overarching project and playing style as key factors.
The 37-year-old forward made his ambition clear during his first press conference with the Eredivisie club on Tuesday, July 28, 2026.
>>> Dale Earnhardt Jr Apologizes for Carson Kvapil's Burnout on Yard of Bricks
Tadic has been assigned the number 10 shirt by NEC for his return to the Dutch top flight.
Midfielder Tjaronn Chery surrendered the jersey to Tadic while retaining his role as team captain.
Tadic arrived in Nijmegen from Al-Wahda in the United Arab Emirates after NEC club representatives traveled directly to Belgrade to secure his signature.
He immediately joined team training on Tuesday morning in his new kit.
"I chose NEC because of the whole project and the way of playing soccer," said Tadic. He expressed appreciation for the club's efforts during negotiations.
"They came specifically to Belgrade for me, showing me how important they found it that I come to NEC."
The move brings Tadic back to the Dutch league, where he previously enjoyed success with Ajax from 2018 to 2023.
Addressing his living situation, he noted with a lighthearted remark that he has not yet settled on a place to live.
>>> Victoria Zardoya Dies at 20 After Fall at Fort Dade
"I don't know where I'm going to live yet," he said. "In any case, not in Arnhem."
Facing his former club Ajax during the upcoming season will mark a significant moment. "That will be emotional for me," Tadic said.
"Ajax is in my heart, everyone knows that. I had a great time there and won many trophies.
But now my focus is on NEC."
When asked about his targets with his new club, Tadic delivered a concise response: "Win trophies!"
Other Squad Movements
Midfielder Dirk Proper was absent from NEC's Tuesday training session as he completed a transfer to Heerenveen for a reported fee of 1.5 million euros.
Proper had dropped to a rotational role following the arrival of Darko Nejasmic.
>>> Memory Chip Stocks Drop as Big Tech Earnings Approach
Additionally, NEC is advancing negotiations to permanently sign Turkish defender Ahmetcan Kaplan, who spent last season on loan at the club from Ajax.
