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Richard Knopper added to Ajax 'transfer list'

10 April: There is no future at Ajax for Richard Knopper. This unpleasant news was brought to the 24 year-old offensive midfielder by coach Ronald Koeman. Knopper, whose contract expires in June 2005, can search for a new club.

Earlier this season, the Ajax management announced that the current number of 59 contract players was far too high and that several players were going to be sent away. So far, the names revealed were hardly spectacular: veteran goalkeeper Fred Grim's contract was expiring after the current season anyway. All others have already left Ajax on loan: Aron Winter, John Nieuwenburg (Sparta) and Christopher Kanu (Alavés, now training with Young Ajax). Knopper is the first 'victim' in the actual Ajax-1 selection.

Knopper, after scoring one of his two goals against AA Ghent on September 12, 2001. [Photo: ANP]

"The coach told me very honestly what my situation is", said Knopper, in an interview with Dutch newspaper *Algemeen Dagblad*. "For the future, he prefers Rafaël van der Vaart and Steven Pienaar for the number ten position."

Richard Knopper (born Rijswijk, 29 August, 1977) played all of his professional games for Ajax, but played for the Feyenoord youth until he was 16 years-old. He made his debut in Ajax-1 in the away game at Sparta, on 09 November, 1997.

His breakthrough season was Ajax' dismal centenary year, under coach Jan Wouters. Knopper was one of the very few Ajacieden to play well throughout the year. He was Ajax' topscorer of the season, with 15 goals. His contract was immediately extended until the summer of 2005. Today, Richard Knopper is among the best payed Ajacieden in the squad.

Under coach Co Adriaanse, in the 2000-2001 season, Knopper sustained a serious ankle injury which kept him sidelined for almost a year. He then slipped out of the picture and was forced to watch how players such as Cedric van der Gun, Rafaël van der Vaart and recently Steven Pienaar leapfrogged him in the Ajax-1 hierarchy.

This season, Knopper played in only 12 league games, mostly as a substitute player. Under coach Ronald Koeman, he got to play in only four games in total, once as a substitute.

Knopper has no ideas about his future yet. He prefers to move to a club outside of The Netherlands. Due to his salary and the fact that he still has a contract for three more seasons, indicates that Ajax can ask a significant transfer fee for Knopper. (MP)

(Sources: VI Planet.nl and NOS TeleTekst)