NEC Nijmegen Shakes Up Squad With Summer Signings
NEC Nijmegen is wasting no time this summer. The Dutch club has jumped to the front of the Eredivisie transfer conversation by landing Virgil Misidjan and Gonzalo Crettaz, making it four signings before preseason gets properly underway. These aren’t just names for the sake of headlines—both players carry real weight and experience, hinting at NEC’s intention to boost its profile in the league.
Let’s start with Misidjan. At 31, he’s far from a fresh-faced prospect, but that’s exactly what NEC is after. They want someone who’s seen the ups and downs of professional football. Misidjan comes in as a free agent after leaving Hungary’s Ferencvaros, and he’s agreed to stay in Nijmegen for the long haul. Dutch fans will remember his time at Willem II and PEC Zwolle, but his CV stretches across Europe. The quick, tricky winger-forward also made his mark at Bulgaria’s Ludogorets, earning a reputation for breaking open stubborn defenses with his pace. It’s pretty clear NEC want more bite in attack, and Misidjan's arrival delivers just that.
Meanwhile, the move for Gonzalo Crettaz signals change at the back. The 25-year-old Argentine keeper already has a working relationship with NEC’s new coach Dick Schreuder; they just finished a season together at Spanish club Castellón. When a new coach brings in his own guy, it usually signals a shift in playing style or locker room leadership. That might spell trouble for Robin Roefs, NEC’s current No. 1, who has recently been mentioned in the same breath as Ajax’s summer plans. If Roefs makes the switch to Amsterdam, Crettaz already feels like a ready-made replacement.
Aggressive Transitions Under Dick Schreuder
There’s no denying the pattern here—NEC’s transfer activity is fast, targeted, and clearly influenced by Schreuder’s own network. Before Misidjan and Crettaz, the club brought in Youssef El Kachati from Telstar (adding some promise up front) and welcomed back Tjaronn Chery, a player whose previous spell at NEC made him a fan favorite. These signings mesh youthful hunger with seasoned know-how.
For NEC supporters, this kind of activity is both reassuring and exciting. No one knows yet how all these new pieces will fit, but Schreuder clearly wants to put his own stamp on the squad. The Eredivisie is unpredictable: established giants often stumble while new-look lineups hit hot streaks. With veterans like Misidjan and Chery, combined with ambitious imports such as El Kachati and Crettaz, NEC is preparing for every possibility—whether that’s fighting off relegation or dreaming about a surprise European run.
The summer is only just warming up, both in the Netherlands and across the transfer market. But one thing is obvious—NEC Nijmegen has abandoned any idea of standing still.
Write a comment