Tag: AFC Ajax

by Tarcísio Neri

Jordan Henderson is called up for England

Jordan Henderson makes a good impression on Gareth Southgate. The England coach included the midfielder in his squad for the last friendlies before the Euro Cup. The fact that he played for Ajax made his call-up easier.

“We discussed his move to Saudi Arabia at the time, but it’s good to see him back in a competition where we can evaluate him better. We can see what level he is currently playing at,” said Gareth Southgate.

The first match against Aston Villa in the UEFA Europa Conference League also clearly boosted Jordan Henderson’s chances.

“He played a high level game against Aston Villa. He has had a huge influence at Ajax since arriving. I know they are very happy with it. We know what he can do and the leadership he brings. Jordan Henderson is a player who can balance a team with many attackers and means a lot to our team” commented Gareth Southgate.

Bookmark and Share
by Tarcísio Neri

Two Ajax defenders undergo surgery and miss the rest of the season

Ajax have announced that the season is over for Olivier Aertssen and Ethan Butera. The two defenders who frequently play for Jong Ajax have been sidelined for a long time due to a knee injury.

Olivier Aertssen suffered a knee injury during training last month and underwent surgery last Friday. The 19-year-old defender played 23 games for Jong Ajax in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie but must now focus on next season.

This also applies to Ethan Butera. The 17-year-old defender joined from RSC Anderlecht at the start of this season but has yet to play for Ajax’s first team due to a knee injury. The Belgian defender recently underwent new surgery due to the pain that did not stop.

Bookmark and Share
by Tarcísio Neri

Ajax should maintain a formation with three defenders against Aston Villa

Ajax will continue to play with three defenders in the next games of the season, especially in the duel against Aston Villa, this Thursday, in the round of 16 of the UEFA Europa Conference League. The person who confirmed this information was the club’s coach, John van ‘t Schip.

The coach of the Amsterdam team is confident of a good result, even after the stumble at home to Fortuna Sittard, in the Eredivisie. But he also doesn’t deny that the Godenzonen will have a complicated game ahead, especially with the absence of Steven Berghuis and Steven Bergwijn.

According to the 60-year-old coach, it is important that his team does not get caught up in the excitement of the Aston Villa game.

“We shouldn’t get in their way, because that’s where we give up space. We have to be patient and keep possession of the ball. Whether this will work is another story. They suffered a tough defeat last weekend and will want to give an answer to their fans who are expected to fill the stadium” said John van ‘t Schip.
The manager suggests that Aston Villa will also play with three defenders.

“I have a lot of confidence in this, because we showed against FC Utrecht and in the first match that we can play solidly in this formation. It’s a system that can’t be mastered perfectly overnight, but the players have shown they can play. Furthermore, it will be a fight and we will have to fight a lot with each other” commented John van ‘t Schip.

Jorrel Hato is also confident of a good result against the fourth-placed team in the Premier League.

“If you look at how we did last week, we deserved to win more. We had two great opportunities and gave up little space. So I certainly have a lot of confidence in our team. Maybe it will be a completely different game to what we had last week” said Jorrel Hato.

Bookmark and Share
by Tarcísio Neri

Jorrel Hato renews contract with Ajax until 2025

Ajax announced the contract renewal of Jorrel Hato. The 18-year-old defender’s new contract will be valid until the end of the 2024/25 season.

The defender won the starting spot last year under the command of John Heitinga, at the age of 16, and despite the sporting malaise at the club, he decided to stay.

“If you don’t win that often, it might be bad for you, but if you look at it realistically, I know I’m certainly in the right place. I know that staying at Ajax is good for me. This is my first full year in the professional team and as a starter in the Eredivisie. I think I have a lot to learn here. For me, the choice was certainly not difficult to stay at Ajax” said Jorrel Hato.

Difficult negotiations that lasted months have finally come to a good end for Ajax, where retaining top talent after the hectic transfer period was a top priority. Football director Sven Mislintat was fired before negotiations began. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar remained the club’s director, but ended up resigning and hiring Kelvin de Lang to take on this role.

With the contract extension, Ajax keeps Jorrel Hato out of the hands of several other European clubs. In November, Jorrel Hato debuted with the Dutch national team against Gibraltar.
“Of course I also use social media and see things happening. It’s good when big clubs are interested, that’s good, but I don’t really care about that. I hope that happens one day” said the defender.

Bookmark and Share
by Tarcísio Neri

Chuba Akpom signs with Ajax for five seasons

Sven Mislintat is still working to reshape AFC Ajax for this new season. The German director got a deal with Middlesbrough and the Amsterdam club announced the signing of Chuba Akpom. The English striker signs for five seasons with the Godenzonen. The Godenzonen paid 12 million and 300 thousand euros to have the 27-year-old striker.

Chuba Akpom was the main striker of the second division of England and consequently of Middlesbrough. With Boro’s shirt, Chuba Akpom scored 34 goals in 82 matches. It was at PAOK in Greece that he had the greatest streak of games. In Greece, there were 131 games played and 29 goals scored.

Formed in the youth ranks of Arsenal, he had only twelve games signed with the shirt of the Gunners. As well as playing in England and Greece, he also played in Belgium for St. Truiden.

The last time Middlesbrough had sold a player to Ajax was in the 2010/11 season when Egypt striker Mido was released to sign for Ajacieden. And this is only the third English player to wear the shirt of the Amsterdammers. Charlie Setford and Ray Clarke were the other two players who previously played for the Amsterdam side.

Bookmark and Share
by Tarcísio Neri

Ajax announce second signing for next season

Ajax have announced the signing of Benjamin Tahirović. The Amsterdam club reached an agreement with AS Roma and paid around 7.5 million euros to take the Bosnia and Herzegovina midfielder to Amsterdam.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Born in Sweden, but with nationality from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Benjamin Tahirović was at AS Roma since February 2021. Without gaining space in the main team commanded by José Mourinho, the Italian club decided to sell Benjamin Tahirović.

“Benjamin Tahirović is a young midfielder who is strong in possession of the ball. He is one of the great talents and has an incredible mentality,” said Ajax director of football Sven Mislintat.

Bookmark and Share
by Tarcísio Neri

Hedwiges Maduro will be assistant to Maurice Steijn at Ajax

After announcing the hiring of Maurice Steijn to be the new coach of the Amsterdam club, Ajax reached an agreement with Almere City FC for the signing of Hedwiges Maduro.

The former player will be one of Maurice Steijn’s technical assistants at Ajax. This past season, Hedwiges Maduro was assistant coach to Alex Pastoor at Almere City FC. The club won the last spot for the Eredivisie and will compete for the first time in the biggest competition in Dutch football.

“We would have loved to have continued with Hedwiges Maduro on our coaching staff. But we listened to his wishes and understood that it would be better for everyone if he was released,” said Almere City FC director of football Johan Hansma.

Hedwiges Maduro’s contract will last until the end of the 2025/26 season.

Bookmark and Share