Ajax have confirmed the signing of Niklas Moisander from Eredivisie rivals AZ Alkmaar.
Finnish defender leaves AZ Alkmaar in €3million deal
Ajax have confirmed the signing of Niklas Moisander from Eredivisie rivals AZ Alkmaar.
Moisander spent two years at Ajax between 2004 and 2006 but failed to make a single first-team appearance before moving on to Belgian outfit FC Zwolle and then AZ.
But the Dutch giants announced on Tuesday that they have brought the Finland international back to the Amsterdam Arena in a three-year deal for a fee of €3million (£2.4m).
Moisander is delighted to have earned himself a second chance at the four-time champions of Europe.
"It was a hectic summer, but I'm glad it's all come good. Ajax is my dream club," the 26-year-old defender told Ajax's
official website.
"I am very fit and want to make my debut. Hopefully that happens Saturday night in the home match against NAC Breda."
Confidence
Moisander will be seen as a replacement for former captain Jan Vertonghen, who joined Tottenham earlier this summer, but the Finn is determined to be his own man.
"I am not going to walk in his shoes, but I will just fill in, in my own way. I have every confidence that I will succeed," he added.
Ajax boss Frank de Boer is pleased with his new acquisition and feels the defender's experience - both at the club and within football in general - makes him ideally suited to make an impact.
De Boer said: "Niklas is a real Ajax player. He has clearly developed in recent years. Therefore he is now qualified for a return to Ajax.
"He is also a leader. For Ajax, Niklas is almost a veteran. But that's exactly what Ajax needs now. He knows the tricks of the top football."
