Van der Vaart commits to Ajax

Rafael van der Vaart has signed a new, improved deal with AFC Ajax, dispelling fears that the Dutch prodigy would leave the Eredivisie champions at the end of the season.

Staying until 2004
The deal, thrashed out between Van der Vaart's agent Søren Lerby and Ajax technical director Leo Beenhakker, ensures that the 20-year-old will remain at the Amsterdam ArenA until at least 2004 although his current contract ends two seasons later.

Drawn-out negotiations
Beenhakker refused to disclose the financial terms but was delighted with the new agreement at the end of drawn-out negotiations. He said: "Despite all the things that were said in the media, the talks between Søren Lerby and myself were done in a good and professional way.

'Fanastic news'
"For Ajax it's fantastic news that Rafael will be playing here next season too. The upgraded contract has a clause which prohibits Van der Vaart from going to a foreign club if anything comes from abroad. I find it awesome that Rafael also definitely doesn't want that to happen."

Key man
The 20-year-old Van der Vaart, who has scored 21 goals in 48 league appearances for Ajax, has established himself as an important player for both club and country and has been coveted by the biggest clubs in Europe. He is currently out of action and suffered a setback in his recovery this week when he complained of thigh pains in training.

Director's outburst
Talks had broken down in January when Ajax director Arie van Eijden accused Van der Vaart of demanding too much money. The player and his agent were not happy with the director's outburst and the breakdown looked as if it could threaten Van der Vaart's future at the club.

Mido trouble
One player whose short-term future at Ajax does not look so rosy is Egyptian striker Ahmed Hossam 'Mido' who has been relegated to the youth team by coach Ronald Koeman.

Koeman enraged
The 19-year-old failed to turn up for a meeting with match sponsors after last weekend's league game against FC Groningen and has now been sent to train with the youth team for an unspecified period by his irate coach.

Bad attitude
"He has not been giving 100 per cent in training sessions, his attitude has been wrong," said Koeman. "It is not up to the technical staff to change his attitude, the change must come from the player himself."

Broken promise
Mido, who has scored 18 goals in 36 games this season, said he had asked team-mate Nourdin Boukhari to take his place at the meeting with club sponsors, but Boukhari too then failed to turn up to the meeting leaving club officials embarrassed by the players' lack of professionalism.