Perez swaps Ajax for rivals PSV
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Article summary
AFC Ajax striker Kenneth Perez has made the move to PSV Eindhoven on a two-year deal while Slobodan Rajković has also signed for the Dutch champions.
Article body
Prolific scorer
The 32-year-old Perez moves after spending just one season at the Amsterdam ArenA, where he arrived last summer following six-and-a-half successful seasons at AZ Alkmaar. The erstwhile Denmark international had scored 51 goals in 164 Eredivisie appearances there and registered an impressive 12 goals with Ajax despite only starting ten of his 27 league matches. He has now agreed to move to traditional rivals PSV for an undisclosed fee subject to his passing a medical on Thursday.
Experienced international
Perez, who has won 19 caps for Denmark, played in both legs of Ajax's UEFA Champions League third qualifying round defeat against former club FC København and also appeared in five UEFA Cup ties in 2006/07. He will not have to qualify for the group stages of the UEFA Champions League with his new side as they have already qualified as champions, unlike Ajax who must again attempt to progress from the third qualifying round.
Rajković signing
PSV have also taken defender Slobodan Rajković on a season-long loan from Chelsea FC. Rajković joined the Premier League club in 2005 and spent last season on loan at OFK Beograd, where he made eleven league appearances. He was also a member of the Serbia side that reached the 2007 UEFA European Under-21 championship final in the Netherlands. "I am obviously delighted to play for such a big club as PSV," said the 18-year-old. "I know all the players, particularly those who operate in my position."
Contract extensions
Midfielder John de Jong, meanwhile, has signed a new one-year contract despite missing the past two seasons with knee and ankle injuries. "The main thing is that I get match-fit and play games," said the 30-year-old. "I am glad I will be given a chance to become a first-team regular again." Another player staying at the PSV Stadium is 17-year-old striker Género Zeefuik, who has added a year to his existing contract to keep him at the club until 2011. "I was a sixteen-year old when I was called up to the first-team squad, which was obviously a great experience," said Zeefuik, who made five Eredivisie appearances last season. "I needed some time to adapt as I played with new players at a much higher level but it's my ambition to try and do so again this season."
