ON
← Back to feed
Fighting at the new club has become a hit, but is he preparing an unpleasant surprise? Coach: "That would be unwise"
Croatia⚽ Sports

Fighting at the new club has become a hit, but is he preparing an unpleasant surprise? Coach: "That would be unwise"

Danko Nejašmić, a 27-year-old Croatian midfielder playing for Dutch club NEC Nijmegen, has reportedly declined initial contract extension offers despite his current deal expiring in June 2027. The player has publicly expressed ambitions to eventually play in major European leagues such as Germany, Spain, or Italy, though he states he is currently focused on his performance at NEC. Manager Dick Schreuder acknowledged the ongoing negotiations but emphasized that he would not pressure the player or bench him due to the situation, noting that Nejašmić continues to train and perform at full intensity. Schreuder suggested that retaining the player for another year could allow the club to secure a higher transfer fee if a sale becomes inevitable later. Nejašmić joined NEC in September 2025 as a free agent after leaving Sharjah FC and was recently named the team's best player by fans, contributing significantly in a recent 4-2 Europa League victory against Dinamo Zagreb.

Darko Nejasemic faces the prospect of becoming a free agent this summer after refusing to sign a new contract with Dutch club NEC Nijmegen. The 27-year-old Croatian midfielder arrived at the Eredivisie side in September 2025 as a free agent from Sharjah United. His current agreement expires in June 2027, leaving him able to negotiate with other clubs freely during the upcoming window. Although he has become a pivotal figure for the team, talks regarding an extension have stalled because he has rejected the terms offered by the management. The player’s journey to Nijmegen was marked by rapid success. After beginning his career at Hajduk Split and later playing for Osijek, Nejasemic transformed his profile upon joining NEC. Supporters voted him the team’s player of the year following his debut season. He continues to perform well, recently playing the full match against Dinamo Zagreb in a 4-2 Europa League victory. In that fixture, he provided an assist to Bryan Linssen for the goal that made the score 3-2. Many observers within Croatia believe his form warrants a call-up to the national team, particularly given the squad’s need for a quality defensive midfielder under manager Slaven Bilic. Negotiations between the club and the player have been ongoing for several months without resolution. Coach Dick Schreuder acknowledged in August that the discussions had dragged on for a long time. Speaking to ESPN, Schreuder noted that while the situation creates a strong negotiating position for the player due to his performance, he refuses to pressure Nejasemic into a decision. The coach stated that he sees no change in the player's daily training intensity or attitude. Schreuder expressed hope that Nejasemic will extend his stay for another year so the club can secure a favorable transfer fee eventually. However, he clarified that he would not bench the player or force his hand, emphasizing that such tactics do not work. Nejasemic himself has spoken openly about his ambitions. In mid-October, he admitted that he wants to test himself in major European leagues, specifically citing Germany, Spain, or Italy as potential destinations. He described life as full of surprises and said he is currently focusing solely on football. While the club views his departure as a sensitive loss, Schreuder does not expect the player to leave during the current transfer window. The Dutch manager deemed such a move unreasonable at this stage, stating that the priority is determining what is best for the club’s future. The final decision rests with Nejasemic, who has yet to commit to a path beyond his existing contract term.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 2 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

Responsible editor: Matej BašaSpotted an error? Report it

2 reports

Jutarnji list logoJutarnji listIndependentCenterFactual 90Objective 85
Fighting at the new club has become a hit, but is he preparing an unpleasant surprise? Coach: "That would be unwise"

Danko Nejašmić, a 27-year-old Croatian midfielder playing for Dutch club NEC Nijmegen, has reportedly declined initial contract extension offers despite his current deal expiring in June 2027. The player has publicly expressed ambitions to eventually play in major European leagues such as Germany, Spain, or Italy, though he states he is currently focused on his performance at NEC. Manager Dick Schreuder acknowledged the ongoing negotiations but emphasized that he would not pressure the player or bench him due to the situation, noting that Nejašmić continues to train and perform at full intensity. Schreuder suggested that retaining the player for another year could allow the club to secure a higher transfer fee if a sale becomes inevitable later. Nejašmić joined NEC in September 2025 as a free agent after leaving Sharjah FC and was recently named the team's best player by fans, contributing significantly in a recent 4-2 Europa League victory against Dinamo Zagreb.

Bias read (Center): The article covers a standard sports transfer rumor involving a national team player. There are no political implications, policy debates, or ideological framings present. The tone is neutral, relying on direct quotes from the player and manager regarding contractual matters and career aspirations.

Why factuality (90): This article provides more detailed sourcing, specifically citing Dutch journalist Sander Janssen from Voetbal International and including direct quotes from coach Dick Schreuder via ESPN. These details align with the general narrative in Article 0 but add verifiable specifics (e.g., 'contract valid

Why objectivity (85): The headline uses slightly more dramatic phrasing ('unpleasant surprise', 'hit'), which leans toward tabloid style compared to Article 0. However, the body text remains fairly balanced, presenting both the club's desire to keep him and the player's agency. The inclusion of the coach's perspective he

Večernji list logoVečernji listIndependentCenterFactual: no official source document/info detectedObjective 90
The Croat that many see in the national team since the summer could become a free agent

Croatian midfielder Darko Nejašmić, who joined Dutch club NEC in September 2025 as a free agent, has become a key player for the team after being named fan player of the year last season. Although his current contract expires next summer, negotiations between Nejašmić and NEC regarding a contract extension have stalled because he has not yet accepted the offered terms. In recent interviews, Nejašmić expressed ambitions to play in major European leagues such as Germany, Spain, or Italy, while stating that he is currently focused on his football performance. His strong form at NEC has led many observers in Croatia to argue that he deserves a call-up to the national team by manager Slaven Bilić, particularly due to a perceived need for a quality defensive midfielder.

Bias read (Center): The article covers a standard sports transfer rumor and player career development. There is no political dimension, controversy, or ideological framing present in the text. The tone is neutral and informative, focusing on contractual status and player quotes.

Why factuality: no official source document/info detected

Why objectivity (90): Tone is largely neutral and informative. The headline uses standard sports journalism phrasing ('could become a free agent') rather than sensationalist language. The inclusion of a sidebar link to an unrelated story about Dinamo Zagreb president Boban is typical layout noise but does not affect the

How each side covered it

The same event, grouped by the political lean of the outlets covering it.

How each side covered it

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Covered around the world

The same event as reported in other countries.

Covered around the world

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Claims check

Key factual claims, and how many sources assert vs dispute each.

Claims check

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Keep the news honest.

ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €4/month.

Become a Supporter

Related stories