Ajax win race for Leonardo
By Alex Livie
Last Updated: 15/06/26 8:04am
Ajax have won the race for the signature of NAC Breda's coveted Brazilian Leonardo.
Ajax have won the race for the signature of NAC Breda's coveted Brazilian Leonardo.
Leonardo Vitor Santiago, to give him his full title, has caught many an eye this term with his electric displays down the flank for NAC.
Tottenham and PSV Eindhoven were just two of the sides credited with an interest in the 23-year-old, but rumours circulating the Dutch media in the last couple of weeks stated Ajax had leapt to the front of the queue.
And on Tuesday, Ajax confirmed they had struck a two-and-a-half-year deal with Leonardo and he will make the move to Amsterdam in January.
Leonardo is looking forward to joining Ajax and does not envisage any problems in making a move mid-way through a season.
"This way I am half a year earlier than other possible new players who will come in July," he told the club's website. "Now I can get used to the team, make friends and build a connection with the guys."
Leonardo has admitted that Ajax were more persuasive than the other clubs he talked to in recent weeks.
"The talks I had with Ajax were different than those with other clubs," he declared. "I felt best with the people of Ajax.
"It's not about the money, I want to have a good feeling with a club as a football player.
"Ajax is a top club and I expect a lot from Ajax. I want to make Ajax even stronger, make sure we play for the championship.
"This year I think Ajax can catch up to PSV in the second half of the season."
