Overview:
The 2024/25 season saw NAC Breda compete in the Eredivisie for the first time since the 2018/19 campaign. Their fans recently reminded us all that they are one of the most entertaining sets of supporters in the league, and now, after clinging onto first division status last term with a 15th-placed finish, those ardent supporters will be hoping that their club can reward them with a better showing.
On the whole, form was relatively bleak for the returning NAC. However, with the wins that Carl Hoefkens’ side managed to grab, especially an October hot streak (against Nijmegen, Zwolle and Waalwijk) as well as an abundance of draws, they just managed to stay up. This season, the impetus will be on cementing their Eredivisie status once more. It will also be about bettering that form column that didn’t see a win between the 25th of January and the 18th of May (eight draws and seven losses).
Transfers in: Moussa Soumano (AC Ajaccio), Mohamed Nassoh (Sparta Rotterdam), Rio Hillen (De Graafschap), Charles-Andreas Brym (Almere City), Brahim Ghalidi (Standard Liege), Juho Talvitie (Lommel SK), Dion Versluis (NAC Breda U21).
Transfers out: Jan Van den Bergh (Jubilo Iwata), Dominik Janosek (Sigma Olomouc), Elías Már Ómarsson (MZ Hakka), Adam Kaied (Zamalek), Roy Kuijpers (RKC Waalwijk), Tein Troost (KSC Lokeren), Matthew Garbett (Without Club), Aron van Lare (Without Club).
Key player: Mohamed Nassoh
Replacing Leo Sauer will be a difficult task, but 22-year-old Mohamed Nassoh should have the tools to continue NAC’s left-sided threat. The Dutch-born Moroccan youth international spent his first season in the Eredivisie with Sparta Rotterdam in 2024/25 and registered two goals and two assists in 30 matches.
Previously, Nassoh made a name for himself in Eindhoven. He came up through the PSV academy and starred for Jong PSV in the 2023/24 Eerste Divisie. Registering 10 goals and three assists, he showed more offensive output than the season prior’s six goals and seven assists. With this gradual improvement and a senior first division introduction under his belt, Nassoh could be influential in Breda.
Here’s a hint of what Nassoh can do at his best.
Young player to watch: Moussa Soumano
Moussa Soumano has arrived at NAC Breda at an interesting point. In Ligue 2 last season, the 20-year-old Frenchman scored four goals and registered two assists in 27 games as AC Ajaccio finished 12th. The 2024/25 campaign saw him play the most matches of his senior career to date, and all at NAC will be hoping he can take to the Eredivisie’s developmental outlook and continue to improve.
Although still quite raw and unproven, any goals will be important to fill the void left by Elías Már Ómarsson (eight goals last term) after he left for China.
Transfer window needs:
NAC have had a lot of departures from last season’s squad. Most damning could be the loan expiry of Feyenoord’s Leo Sauer. The teenage left-winger was a big part of the team’s survival last term, and the club will need Mohamed Nassoh to hit the ground running if he’s to have the same impact. Either that, or Brahim Ghalidi will be waiting in the wings for his opportunity.
Given Ómarsson’s departure, a new source of goals will be needed. With Moussa Soumano still relatively unproven and Brym relatively inconsistent, another option may be preferable. It had previously been believed NAC were targeting another forward option with Feyenoord’s Jaden Slory. However, that may just be a pipe dream.
Hoefkens is reportedly interested in bringing midfielder Mats Rits to NAC, and it makes sense as to why. After losing captain Jan Van den Bergh this summer, NAC require some on-field leadership and experience, especially with an influx of signings in their early 20s. Whether the club have the funds for this, remains unknown.
