Andre Ayew: NAC Breda forward opens up on adapting to Dutch league

Former Ghana captain Andre Ayew has discussed some points that he believes will help NAC Breda stay in the Dutch top flight at the end of the season.

The 36-year-old, who signed a deal to join NAC Breda for the rest of the 2025-26 season, had been without a club since leaving French Ligue 1 side Le Havre.

Congratulations on your debut, André Ayew 🙏#NACpraat #groNAC pic.twitter.com/cussHbFg6c

— NAC Breda 💛🖤 (@NACnl) January 11, 2026

He has so far made six appearances, enjoying his first full time in NAC Breda’s 1-0 away win against Heracles Almelo.

In an interview with ESPN, the former Swansea City forward spoke about the need for each member of the NAC Breda squad to remain resolute.

Andre Ayew led Ghana’s U-20 FIFA World Cup in Egypt

“I just think that we need to stay stronger and be very decisive on both ends and offensively, that’s when you win matches but the other things we are progressing on [and] we just have to get better on everything bit by bit, we are climbing the ladder and we need to keep climbing [and] not to get carried away, stay calm, keep working, follow the coach’s plan, the staff idea and I believe that we will make it through,” Andre Ayew told ESPN.

Andre Ayew, who led Ghana’s U-20 side to win Africa’s first ever FIFA Youth World Cup in 2009 in Egypt, believes his experience from playing across different leagues in Europe and Asia will come in handy to help salvage the challenges of NAC Breda.

“I think I can help in so many aspects and also myself adapt to the league, adapt to the football here because it’s a different way of playing, it’s very technical, it’s very attacking so you also have to adapt to the way the league is played.

“That’s something new for me and it’s true I’m good at adapting myself due my different experience in different leagues and the experiences I have had but you still have to adapt so that’s the reality of football and football is nothing different.”

The 2011 BBC African Footballer of the Year winner arrives with huge international experience, having made 120 appearances for Ghana’s Black Stars.

His club experience includes stints at Olympique Marseille, Arles-Avignon, Lorient in the French before moving to England with Swansea City, West Ham United, Nottingham Forest.

Ayew had stint with Turkish giants Fenerbahce

The move to NAC Breda opens doors for his possible inclusion to Ghana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup squad if he racks up the needed minutes and goals.

Ayew becomes the third Ghanaian player to join NAC Breda after veteran Dennis Odoi and winger Kamal Sowah. NAC Breda now sit 16th on the league table with 19 points, one above the relegation zone after 23 league matches.