New deal for Ajax keeper

Dutch international keeper Maarten Stekelenburg has signed a new deal at Ajax.

The 23-year-old has climbed through the ranks at the Amsterdam ArenA to become coach Danny Blind's number one, fending off competition from Bogdan Lobont who has since departed to Fiorentina.

Stekelenburg, who is behind Edwin van der Sar in Marco van Basten's Oranje pecking order, had a further 18 months to run on his previous commitment.

Ajax were concerned that he could head out of the club on a free transfer, but have successfully reached an accord over a deal which ties Stekelenburg to the club until the summer of 2010.

Stekelenburg made his Ajax debut in 2002 and has been a consistent performer in what has been a disappointing season for the Amsterdam giants.