Ajax Loan Juanfran

By European Football
August 13 2005

Juanfran will become the first Spaniard to play for the Dutch team. Ajax loans him for a year from Besiktas paying 550.000 euros. The Turkish team was not going to use him and Ajax found in him the right player to strengthen the left back.

The Spanish International had impressed the Dutch giants when he played for Celta de Vigo, as the two teams met in the 2003-04 Champions League. He signed a contract with Ajax until 30 June 2006, and his wage will be paid by them too.

Juanfran looked very excited about his new team, he stated:

“I come to one of the most important teams in Europe and I don’t want to waste any time.”

“My goal is to shine in Ajax so that the national team trainer can count on me and that way make it to the World Cup next year.”

“Besiktas’ trainer was not counting on me and they allowed me to stay in Valencia (the city); I’ve received four offers from Premiership teams and I was very close to sign for Bolton, but then Ajax appeared and I didn’t even doubted about it, even though I would lose a lot of money, compared to the offers from England.”

“I am in no condition to compete; I have been handed an individual work plan and if everything goes as expected, I’ll be ready in three weeks.”