N.E.C. Nijmegen has signed 19-year-old winger Delé Thomas. The club officially announced the arrival of the talented forward this week, as reported by NEC Nijmegen.
Delé Thomas leaves RB Leipzig and puts pen to paper on a deal with N.E.C. running until the summer of 2030. He joins head coach Dick Schreuder's squad immediately and will be known on the pitch simply as Delé. The number 77 shirt has been reserved for him. Technical director Carlos Aalbers highlighted the vision behind the signing. "With Delé we are bringing in a young talent who fits our vision," Aalbers said. "We are offering him the same path as Sami Ouaissa and Basar Önal so he can develop further."
What is Delé Thomas's background?
Delé Thomas came through the youth academies of Almere City FC and Feyenoord. In 2023, he moved to the PSV youth setup. For Jong PSV, he made 44 appearances in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie, scoring six goals. A first-team debut for the Eindhoven side did not materialize. In early 2026, he departed for Germany, where he primarily featured for RB Leipzig's reserve team. His development aligns with N.E.C.'s policy of providing a platform for young players. The club currently sits sixth in the Eredivisie, which you can follow on our standings page.
Where does he fit in the current squad?
Manager Dick Schreuder adds a fast and technical option for the wings with Thomas. His arrival increases the depth and competition in the attacking line. The N.E.C. team has a busy schedule in the coming weeks, including an away match against FC Utrecht on Saturday, September 12th. The full schedule can be found on the fixtures page. The squad, including the latest additions, is always available to view via the squad page.
What does this mean for the future?
The long contract until 2030 provides both the player and the club with stability and a clear outlook. It underscores the confidence in his potential for growth. With this move, N.E.C. Nijmegen once again commits to a model where talent is given the space to break through at the highest level. The arrival of Delé Thomas is the latest step in building a young and ambitious team. He signed his contract for a period of four years.
