Poulson moves to AZ Alkmaar

Poulson arrives, Musampa set to leave, Alves still a possibility

By Kent Hedlundh & Jeffrey Glorie   Last updated: 27th December 2007

Poulson moves to AZ Alkmaar

Poulsen: Danish international

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Simon Poulson will join AZ Alkmaar on 1st January after agreeing a move from FC Midtjylland.

Louis van Gaal had been keen to add another left-sided midfielder to his squad after suffering injuries to Maarten Martens and Stijn Schaars.

Poulson spent three seasons with Midtjylland and has become a Danish international in the process, but he has now signed a four-year deal with the Eredivise side.

Ambition

"I have got a very good impression of the club down there," he told Midtjylland's official website.

"Both the size of the club and their ambitions suit me perfectly."

The club's sporting director Jens Oergaard admits that it was only a matter of time before Poulson earned himself a move to a top side.

"We have followed Simon's development from a young talent through to international very closely, and therefore his move has not come as a big surprise," he said.

"We knew it was just a question of time before Simon would go. But when we got an offer, which is attractive, we have to accept it as it will be a new transfer record for FCM."

Musampa

The arrival of Poulson at the Alkmaarderhout will signal the end of Kiki Musampa's time at the club.

The former Manchester City loanee only arrived at the club in November but he has been told that he is surplus to requirements and can leave on a free transfer.

"We have agreed that Kiki is available on a free transfer," AZ Alkmaar's technical director Marcel Brands told De Telegraaf.

"The intention from both sides was that his stay would be short-term. We have been working on bringing Poulson in since the summer and Kiki was aware of that.

"He himself indicated his desire to leave should the deal for the Dane become concrete."

Alves

AZ also remain keen on bringing SC Heerenveen's Afonso Alves to the club. According to the Algemeen Dagblad there has been further contact with the player's agent and they are waiting for a suitable time to talk business.

Alves almost joined Alkmaar during the summer but the deal was called off at the last moment as the transfer window closed. It is thought that Heerenveen had decided to request more money for the Brazilian international and it could now cost AZ 20million euros (around £14.5million) to secure the player's services.