NEC shatters transfer record as PSV pay €15m for Sano

NEC announced today (Vandaag) at 14:12 that Japanese (Japanse) midfielder Kodai Sano has been transferred to PSV for an estimated €15 million, setting a new club record and marking the second record-breaking sale of this transfer window. The fee surpasses the previous benchmark set by Basar Önal's €12.5 million move to OSC Lille.

The previous club record was set by Basar Önal, whose €12.5 million transfer to OSC Lille stood for about a month before being eclipsed. Önal's move had been the benchmark for NEC's outgoing transfers. His departure highlighted the club's ability to develop talent for top European leagues.

"Over the timing of this transfer is now sufficiently said and written. All in all we are proud that we again could contribute to the dream of a Japanese player to act as a springboard for the step to a top club," said technical director Carlos Aalbers via the club channels.

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"Kodai is a great player and professional, who also helped us enormously with achieving our dream as a club. We thank him for that and wish him much success in Eindhoven," added Aalbers.

Sano will now join PSV in Eindhoven, where he is expected to compete for a starting role. The Dutch side view the signing as a boost to their midfield options.

NEC remains focused on nurturing future prospects, aiming to break further records in upcoming windows.