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Surprise, surprise... Jari back to Amsterdam!

30 August: After a few rather unlucky years in Barcelona and Liverpool, one of the most succesful and popular players in Ajax history returns back home. Just when we all decided to get it out of our heads, the news was announced: Jari Litmanen is coming back 'home', to Ajax.

Only weeks ago, technical director Leo Beenhakker said in the press that he had talked to Litmanen, but that Ajax couldn't afford his salary. The Fin replied by saying that he was prepared to drop half of his Liverpool wages, but that he could not accept an offer that was an "insult".

Last night, Ajax and Litmanen reached an agreement after all. Quite remarkably, he signed a contract for the four upcoming (Champions League) months, after which club and player will decide on a new contract for another season and a half. No financial details of the transfer have been revealed by Ajax.

Ajax is delighted about Jari's homecoming. General director Arie van Eijden said: "The door at Ajax is always open for Ajacieden. And I think that, if you look into Jari's heart, you'll see a true Ajacied. He's had a difficult time at Liverpool. I hope, for him and for Ajax, that he can be the old Jari again in Amsterdam. He's brought Ajax and in particular the Ajax supporters so much football joy in the past."

Technical director Leo Beenhakker added: "We have a very young team and Jari's experience can be tremendously important. It was a wish of both parties to sign a contract until the end of this calendar year. We will talk again in January, so he can let us know how he feels about Ajax, and we can let him know how we feel about him."

A quick look at Jari Litmanen's career at Ajax and you'll be blinded by the shining of the silverware. Born in Lahti, Finland, on 20 February 1971, Jari Litmanen joined Ajax in 1992. He started modestly, as a reserve player, mostly used as a right midfielder or even right back. His big break came as coach Louis van Gaal started using him as a 'number 10', after Dennis Bergkamp's departure.

He scored a stunning 91 goals in a total of 159 Eredivisie games, added 8 more goals in 15 domestic cup games and played no less than 44 European games for jax, in which he scored an impressive 24 goals. Ajax still holds the record of the longest Champions League run. The Champions League final of 1997 was the first round in three season in which Ajax did not perform. From 1994 to 1997, Litmanen played 32 Champions League games with Ajax, scoring 18 times. The total figures: 224 official matches for Ajax; 126 goals.

The trophies he won in Amsterdam? Sit tight... Four Dutch league titles (1994, 1995, 1996, 1998), three Dutch cups (1993, 1998, 1999), three DUtch Super Cups (1993, 1994, 1995), the Champions League (1995), the European Super Cup (1995) and the World Cup (1995). Litmanen was the Eredivisie topscorer of 1994 (24 goals) and was voted 'Player Of The Year' in Holland. He played 77 games for his country, Finland, scoring 21 times.

In 1999, Litmanen moved to FC Barcelona, where he played 21 games in the first team, scoring three goals. He then lost his position in the team and decided to move to Liverpool FC, the second team (with Ajax) he always dreamed about as a boy. His career at Anfield Road was a disappointment. In his first year, he suffered from injuries and only got five chances in the team, scoring one goal. Last season was better (21 games; four goals), but the Liverpool management told him that there was no place in the starting line-up for him.

Now his 'back home' transfer is official, Jari will take care of some formalities in Liverpool first, after which he's due in Helsinki for a game with the Finnish national team. His first day of training action at the ArenA will be Monday, 09 September. (MP)

(Source: Ajax.nl)