Blind new Ajax youth chief

The Amsterdam club were left without a head of their famed youth academy when Kees Zwamborn announced he was moving to Sunderland.

Zwamborn will relinquish control at Ajax on February 1, when Blind will move from trainer of Ajax A1 to the academy.

Blind, who has a contract with the Amsterdam club until 2006, will combine the role with that of A1 coach.

In other news, Groningen are being linked with a loan move for Ajax youngster Abubakari Yakubu.

The 20-year-old Ghanaian is down the pecking order at the Amsterdam ArenA, being behind the likes of Hatem Trabelsi in the fight for a starting berth.

Coach Ronald Koeman used him in the recent Champions League win over Roma, but is reportedly considering the possibility of loaning him out to increase his experience.

Groningen have been chasing a defensive capture for some weeks now, and may approach Ajax during the winter break.