Brazilian defender Maxwell signs three year contract

13 June: Buying a left back was one of Ajax' highest priorities for the 2001-2002 season. After a week of speculations, the club has signed 19 year-old Brazilian left back Maxwell Scherrer Cabelino Andrade (born 27 August, 1981). The Brazilian, who uses Maxwell as his football name, signed a three year contract in Amsterdam today which includes an option to extend for two more years.

Maxwell is moving to Ajax from the youth academy of Brazil's top side, Cruzeiro Belo Horizonte. The transfer fee is said to be some three million US dollars, but this was not confirmed in Ajax' official press announcement.

Technical director Leo Beenhakker stressed that Ajax' third new player (strikers Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Ahmed 'Mido' Hossam were bought earlier) was bought to join the first team. "Maxwell is contracted for the A-squad. He can play as a left back and a as a left midfielder."

The new Ajacied himself added: "As a player, you could compare me to Real Madrid's Roberto Carlos: apart from defending, I feel the urge to attack as well."

"I am happy as well as surprised about this transfer," says Maxwell. "A few weeks ago I did not expect to go to Europe at all. Now, I am starting to get used to the idea that I will soon play for Ajax." (MP)

Source: Ajax.nl