NEC is close to signing Bosnian goalkeeper Mladen Jurkas from Borac Banja Luka for a fee that is reported to be just under one million euros. The 18-year-old youth international is being brought in partly due to the departure of Jasper Cillessen. Jurkas made 36 appearances and kept nineteen clean sheets for his Bosnian club. He was also a member of Bosnia and Herzegovina's World Cup squad this summer, though he did not feature in any matches. He joined Borac Banja Luka in July 2025 and his contract is valid until June 30, 2029. According to Transfermarkt, his current market value is €700k.