Just over two months on from Racing Genk fans feting him with a heartfelt farewell after four memorable years at the club, Vukovic, 36, could be confirmed as NEC’s first signing since their return to the Eredivisie via the playoffs, according to multiple Dutch sources.
Currently, on World Cup duty with the Socceroos in Kuwait, Vukovic is viewed by NEC coach Rogier Meijer as the perfect mentor to 18-year-old goalkeeper Robin Roefs after the exits of experienced gloveman Norbert Alblas and Mattijs Branderhorst.
NEC was once home to former Socceroos attacker Brett Holman, and more recently Adelaide United skipper Stefan Mauk.
Vukovic left an indelible mark in Belgium, making over a 100 league appearances and winning player of the season honours in 2018.
The following year was took centre stage as the club won the Pro League title and Super Cup.
The ex-Sydney FC keeper - who battled back from a ruptured Achilles - parted company with Genk in March to join his pregnant wife back in Australia.
At the time he was playing second fiddle to up-and-comer Maaren Vandevoordt.
He is among four goalkeepers in Graham Arnold’s squad in the Middle East, jousting with Lawrence Thomas and Andrew Redmayne to play understudy to Mat Ryan.
