Ajax find their right winger: Rosales signs four year deal
30 August: Ajax have almost certainly landed the
right winger they have been searching for for many months:
the Amsterdam club confirmed today that agreements in principle
have been reached with both Mauro Damian Rosales (23) and his
current club, Argentinian powerhouse Newell's Old
Boys. Rosales, who won the Olympic gold medal with
Argentina in Athens last week, has agreed to the terms of
a four year contract. Ajax wishes to underscore that some
formalities (including Rosales' UEFA permit for the
Champions League) still have to be ironed out and
that the UEFA can, in theory, still "throw a spanner into
the works. If Rosales is not eligible to play in the Champions
League, the deal could fall through."
Mauro Damian Rosales (born in Cordóba, Argentina, on
24 February 1981) played for Newell's Old Boys, one of
Argentina's most esteemed football clubs, since 1999. During
his five seasons in the Newell's black and red he scored 30
goals in 115 appearances and developed into a respected
international for Argentina's Olympic team as well as the
country's first team. After having won the Olympic gold medal
with Argentina last weel (Rosales had six appearances in Athens
and scored once) Rosales returned to Argentina, because he was
selected for the World Cup qualifier against Peru, to be
played this upcoming Saturday in the Peruvian capital of
Lima.
As usual Ajax did not reveal the transfer fee for the
player. However, Dutch football weekly Voetbal
International reports on its official website that Ajax
will pay some 5 million euros for Rosales, who is referred
to by many Newell's Old Boys supporters as 'Maurito'.
Ajax head-coach Ronald Koeman was a happy man today. He has
been searching for a right winger for many months. However,
Polish giants Legia Warsaw refused to talk about a
transfer of Nigeria's Kalu Uche, whereas an Andy van der
Meyde loan was not an issue for his employers,
Internazionale from Italy. Koeman said: "We are very happy
indeed to have found the right winger we were looking for.
Rosales is a fully-fledged international for Argentina and he
has just won the gold medal at the Olympics." (MP)
Sources: Ajax.nl, VI.nl
UPDATE (01 September 2004): Ajax.nl confirmed today
that Rosales received his working permit for The Netherlands
before the closing of the transfer window. He is now officially
eligible for all Ajax games (KNVB and UEFA). The only
remaining condition for the transfer to be complete is now
out of the way. Mauro Rosales is an Ajacied.
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