Ajax secure Stam signature
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Article summary
After eight seasons playing abroad for some of Europe's leading clubs, Jaap Stam will return to his homeland in the summer to sign for AFC Ajax.
Article body
Two-year deal
The AC Milan defender, 33, will join the Amsterdam side on a two-year contract for an undisclosed fee having reportedly rejected a chance to rejoin PSV Eindhoven or move to SC Heerenveen. Having previously represented FC Zwolle, SC Cambuur Leeuwarden and Willem II, Stam left PSV for Manchester United FC for €16.7m in 1998. He went on to help the Old Trafford team claim an unprecedented treble of English Premiership title, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League in 1999, playing all 990 minutes of United's European campaign.
'Great asset'
Surprisingly sold to S.S. Lazio for €26.8m in August 2001, he made 70 Serie A appearances for the capital club ahead of a €10.5m switch to Milan in the summer of 2004 on a three-year deal. A UEFA Champions League runner-up last season, Stam has scored once in 34 top-flight matches for the Rossoneri. Ajax were delighted to capture a player of such experience, technical director Martin van Geel saying of the 67-times Dutch international: "We think Jaap will be a great asset to our young and talented team."
