Lodeiro links up with Suárez at Ajax

AFC Ajax have signed 20-year-old Club Nacional de Football attacking midfielder Nicolás Lodeiro, while fellow Uruguayan Luis Suárez has penned a one-year contract extension that ties him to the club until June 2013.

Suárez advice
Lodeiro has agreed a two-and-a-half-year deal and will move to the Eredivisie on 1 February for an estimated fee of €4m. Martin Jol said the presence of Suárez helped Ajax beat off competition for the player. "Luis was very enthusiastic, he knows him well from the national team," said the coach. "So, in this case, he was my best scout. Lodeiro can play behind the striker as well as a left-midfielder."

'Beautiful club'
Suárez, meanwhile, a scorer of 18 league goals in as many games this season, has committed his future to the capital club. "While the outside world was speculating about my departure, I was negotiating with Ajax about an extended deal," he said. "I really like it in Amsterdam. Ajax are a beautiful club and the team is in development. I have faith in the coach's workings. The fact that Lodeiro joins us gave the final push." Ajax face Juventus in the UEFA Europa League round of 32 on 18 and 25 February.