Eredivisie side AZ Alkmaar have confirmed the signing of Brazilian Under-20 star Jonathas.
Jonathas signs at right time as AZ suffer striker crisis
Eredivisie side AZ Alkmaar have confirmed the signing of Brazilian Under-20 star Jonathas.
The 19-year-old has signed a contract with the ambitious Dutch side until 2012.
The signing is of huge significance for Alkmaar as the striker's progress was being monitored by a host of top European clubs.
Jonathas was crowned top scorer and best player of an Under-20 tournament in Japan while representing Brazil and AZ director of football Marcel Brands was understandably delighted with the signing.
He told the club's
official website: "We have watched him on seven different occasions. Jonathas is a big, strong player who easily scores goals.
"The next period we will bring him slowly. He first had to adapt to the Dutch language and culture."
Jonathas, who made just eight appearances for club side Cruzeiro in Brazil without finding the back of the net, was excited by the challenge that lay ahead.
He said: "First I have to acclimatise and be accepted by the squad. I will work hard and score a lot of goals for AZ. I am looking forward to it."
Jonathas could get his chance sooner than expected with the club losing two strikers through injury in quick succession.
Uncertain
Belgian forward Moussa Dembele has undergone a scan on his knee but club doctors are still no nearer to finding out what is wrong and coach Louis Van Gaal has confirmed the striker will not be rushed back.
He said: "Despite a rest period, he still suffers pain. We won't take any risks with Dembele and will take it easy. Today he trained outside for the first time. He is doing better but not good enough to play a match.
"It is uncertain whether he can play this Saturday against Heerenveen."
Jeremain Lens is another striker who faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after he injured his foot playing a routine pass against Roda JC.
Lens had an operation on the same foot in the summer but it seems the problem has not gone away and the striker could be out for up to three months.
Finally, Mounir El Hamdaoui has been told that he will no longer be allowed to represent the Dutch national team.
In 2004 El Hamdaoui swapped nationalities to play for Morocco after representing the Dutch U-21 side. After some eye catching displays in the Eredivisie questions had been asked whether the striker would swap back to Dutch nationality.
Those questions have been answered with a resounding no from Fifa.
