sc Heerenveen has signed a significant transfer. The club has acquired experienced midfielder Dirk Proper from NEC. The 24-year-old player signs a four-year contract with the Frisian club.
Proper is a controlling midfielder who has already gained a lot of experience. He played 185 official matches for NEC, in which he scored 13 times. Proper wore the captain's armband in Nijmegen on a regular basis.
"Dirk is a player who, despite his age, has already gained a lot of experience. He brings calm to the ball, has excellent insight and is strong in passing. We are convinced that he fits perfectly with the way we want to play. We are therefore happy that Dirk has chosen sc Heerenveen", says technical manager Johan Hansma.
Proper was connected to NEC for 15 seasons and went through the youth academy of the Nijmegen club. In 2017, he signed his first professional contract, after which he made his debut in the first team in December 2019.
Proper was the longest-serving player in the current selection at NEC. His contract was still valid until the summer of 2027, but the club decided to cooperate after the midfielder indicated that he wanted to make the step to Heerenveen.
Technical director Carlos Aalbers emphasizes that Proper has built up a lot of credit in Nijmegen due to his long-term loyalty. "If someone has a club heart, then it's Dirk. I have never experienced as much loyalty as with him and that's why it hurts to see him leave us", says Aalbers.
The arrival of Proper follows shortly after the presentation of Lanroy Machine. The 20-year-old striker is hired with an option to buy from Angers. Heerenveen is now focusing on the transfer market to find a right winger who can compete with Jacob Trenskow.
Heerenveen is currently 8th in the Eredivisie with 44 points from 30 matches. The club is 30 points behind PSV Eindhoven in the title race. Heerenveen plays against Ajax on 31 January 2027 in the Abe Lenstra Stadium.
