Ajax go for golden boy

AFC Ajax have signed CA Newell's Old Boys winger Mauro Rosales on a four-year contract, providing they can register the player ahead of the deadline for the UEFA Champions League.

Undisclosed fee
Ajax will pay an undisclosed fee for the 23-year-old as coach Ronald Koeman continues to strengthen his squad ahead of their Champions League campaign. The deadline for registering players is midday on 1 September and a statement on the Ajax website said: "If Rosales is not eligible to play in the Champions League, the deal could fall through."

Gold medalist
However, Koeman said: "We are glad we have finally found the right winger we were looking for. Rosales is a full Argentina international who has just won gold at the Olympic Games in Athens."

Full international
Rosales scored once in six matches at the Olympics as Argentina collected gold after beating Paraguay 1-0 in the final. He has represented the full Argentina side nine times and is presently in Argentina to prepare for the FIFA World Cup qualifier against Peru on Saturday. He can play anywhere across the front line and scored 30 goals in 112 matches for Newell's Old Boys after making his debut during the 1999/00 season.

Juventus test
Ajax kick off their Champions League campaign at home to Juventus FC on 15 September. FC Bayern München and Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC make up the Dutch side's Group C opponents.