Ajax Announce Former Everton Midfielder As Free Agent Capture

Ajax has announced the return of Davy Klaassen, marking the 31-year-old midfielder’s third stint at the club.

Klaassen was a free agent after leaving Inter Milan in the summer, and he has agreed to a contract that will keep him in Amsterdam until the end of the season, pending a medical examination. He has previously played in England’s Premier League with Everton, as well as in Germany with Werder Bremen.

The Hilversum-born player, who won the Serie A title with Inter last season, had been training with Ajax last week. Initially, he was only expected to train with Jong Ajax to maintain his fitness. However, head coach Francesco Farioli quickly recognised the value Klaassen could add to the first team and brought him into senior training sessions. Klaassen’s vast experience and familiarity with the club made him an attractive option for Ajax, particularly with the team struggling to find consistency in a transitional period.

Klaassen’s career with Ajax has been long and illustrious. He joined the club as a youth player in 2004, coming through the ranks after his early footballing days at HVV de Zebra’s and HSV Wasmeer. He made his first-team debut on 22 November 2011, coming on as a substitute in a Champions League match against Olympique Lyon. Just five days later, Klaassen made his Eredivisie debut against NEC. His first spell with the club was fruitful, as he scored 55 goals in 181 appearances, quickly becoming a fan favourite for his vision, work ethic, and ability to lead by example on the pitch.

In 2017, Klaassen made a high-profile move to Everton for a reported fee of €27 million. However, his time in the Premier League was far from successful. After playing only 16 matches for the Merseyside club, Klaassen left for Werder Bremen, where he played 81 games. His performances in Germany were enough to convince Ajax to bring him back in 2020 for €11.7 million. During his second period with the club, Klaassen continued to shine, netting 37 goals in 140 matches and contributing heavily to Ajax’s domestic dominance.

Klaassen’s latest return to Amsterdam follows his brief stint at Inter Milan, where he played 18 matches and helped the club win the Serie A title. That achievement added to an already impressive haul of honours, which includes five Eredivisie titles with Ajax.

Klaassen will not be eligible to play for Ajax in the Europa League this season, as the registration period for European competitions has already closed. His focus will instead be on helping the team in domestic competitions, where Ajax is looking to rebound from a disappointing start to the season.

Site Opinion: Much Needed Good News

Klaassen’s return brings a wealth of experience to an Ajax squad that features a mix of youth and seasoned veterans. At 35, head coach Francesco Farioli will look to Klaassen as one of the senior figures to help guide the younger players in the team. He joins other experienced names like Remko Pasveer, Daniele Rugani,  and Jordan Henderson in providing leadership and stability during what has been a turbulent period for the club.

Ajax are currently going through a transitional phase, with many changes in the squad and coaching staff. Klaassen’s return is seen as a stabilising factor, one that can offer not only skill on the pitch but also a deep understanding of what it means to represent Ajax at the highest level. His leadership and connection to the club’s values will be crucial as Ajax navigates this challenging time.