New Ajax deal for Mitea

Ajax have handed a new contract to stricken winger Nicolae Mitea.

The Romanian winger came to prominence in the 2003/2004 season and increased his stock with a string of impressive displays last term.

Mitea's efforts caught the eye of a clutch of clubs and he was strongly linked with a move to one of Europe's bigger leagues.

However, he damaged his cruciate knee ligament last August and has not played a single game for Ajax this term.

Mitea has been tipped to make a full recovery and Ajax clearly feel he will play a key part in their future as they have handed the winger a deal which runs until the summer of 2009.

"Despite his current injury Ajax have got trust in the qualities of Mitea," said technical director Martin van Geel. "For that reason we have broken open his contract at an early stage and extended it."

Edgar Manucharyan has joined Mitea in the Ajax treatment room, with the Armenian forward aggravating a muscle complaint on his comeback from injury in the reserves.