Heerenveen splashes over €1m for ex‑NEC captain, a Jong Netherlands veteran

Today, SC Heerenveen announced the signing of Dirk Proper for a fee reported to exceed one million euros. The 24‑year‑old midfielder leaves NEC after a decade‑long spell and signs a four‑season contract, adding a former Jong Oranje captain to the Dutch side’s midfield.

Proper debuted for NEC in 2019 and amassed 185 Eredivisie appearances for the Nijmegen club. Over those years he became one of the team’s most important players, featuring regularly in the league’s midfield battles.

Last season, Proper lost his place in the starting eleven as NEC favoured a crowded midfield roster that included Darko Nejasmic, Kodai Sano, Jamiro Monteiro, Adam Tahaui and Thor Willum Willumson. Seeking more playing time, he opted to move on rather than remain on the bench.

At Heerenveen, Proper is expected to push Joris van Overeem out of the starting lineup. Van Overeem, who only recently arrived from FC Utrecht, will now compete for minutes with the newly arrived Dutch international.

The midfielder arrives with substantial Eredivisie experience and eleven caps for Jong Oranje, where he often wore the captain’s armband. He signs a four‑year deal, signalling Heerenveen’s intent to build a stable core around seasoned Dutch talent.

Carlos Aalbers, technical director of NEC, expressed his disappointment at the departure. “If anyone has a club‑heart, it is Dirk. I have never seen such loyalty, and it truly hurts to see him go. He has always been a great ambassador and a role model for many,” Aalbers said, adding that the club wishes him success in his future career.

The reported fee of more than €1 million underscores a growing willingness among Dutch clubs to invest in proven domestic midfielders. Proper’s move reflects a broader market trend where clubs prioritize experience and national‑team pedigree over speculative signings.