NINE YEARS AFTER departing Amsterdam, Dutch striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar has signed for Ajax once again, bringing an end to seven years playing in the Bundesliga.
The 33-year-old joins the Europa League finalists on a one year contract having spent seven seasons playing for Schalke.
Huntelaar spent three and a half seasons at the Amsterdam Arena between 2006 and 2008, scoring 105 goals in 136 appearances and featured alongside players such as Jaap Stam, Wesley Sneijder, Edgar Davids and Thomas Vermaelen.
On rejoining the Dutch giants, the forward said he was coming back to a club which has always been close to his heart.
“It’s no secret that Ajax is my club, so I’m very glad to return”, he told the club’s website.
“I feel very fit and I’m already looking forward to the end of June when the preseason preparation begins.
“I won trophies with Ajax, but not the title. That is the goal at the end of the season.”
Director of football Marc Overmars said that Huntelaar would bring competition to the club’s attack.
“He knows what awaits him”, said Overmars. “Kasper Dolberg is our main striker, but I am sure that Klaas Jan will play a key role, both on and off the field.”
He won the KNVB Cup twice at Ajax before departing for Real Madrid for €27 million at the end of 2009.
Huntelaar enjoyed a brief spell at the Santiago Bernabéu, making just 13 starts in an injury-ravaged season, joining AC Milan in 2009 before later securing the DFB-Pokal and German Super Cup while at Schalke.
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Increased the average age of squad by 10 years
@Brian O’Loughlin: is he 120 years old?
Klaas act!
@James Lenihan: Sorry
I remember him, greatest thing since sliced bread then I went to Amsterdam for a week and had Dutch bread for breakfast.
105 goals in 136 appearances, some strike rate