Ajax: Shame to lose Sneijder

Sneijder happy with Real move

By Mark Buckingham   Last updated: 13th August 2007

Wesley Sneijder Ajax Holland

Sneijder: Happy with move

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Ajax admit the timing of Wesley Sneijder's move to Real Madrid is 'a terrible shame'.

The Holland international has signed a five-year contract with Real, who have paid 27million euros (£18.3million) for the midfielder.

Sneijder leaves Ajax ahead of the Dutch club's UEFA Champions League qualifier with Slavia Prague on Wednesday.

Club director Martin van Geel concedes Ajax could not deny Sneijder his move to Real, but is disappointed with the timing of the transfer.

"It's a terrible shame to lose one of our best players just before the very important qualifying matches in the preliminary rounds of the Champions League," said Van Geel in a statement.

Nervous

"At the same time we couldn't deny Wesley Sneijder this chance and we're proud that one of our home-trained players is going to an absolute top European club for a very large amount of money."

Sneijder was delighted to secure his move to Real, but acknowledged he is 'nervous' about the prospect of playing for the Spanish champions.

"I am just a little bit nervous and tense because Real Madrid is the greatest club in the world, but after everything has been solved I am very happy," Sneijder told AS.

"I wanted to be a Real Madrid player and this desire has become reality."