One year contract extension for Yannis Anastasiou
21 June: Yannis Anastasiou will be an Ajax-1 player for
another season. The veteran Greek striker will pen a one year
contract renewal this week. His new deal will expire on 30 June
2006. Anastasiou's story is remarkable: during the second
season half he was told that his contract would not be renewed.
New head-coach Danny Blind, however, praised the 32 year-old
for his work ethic, his goals at important moments
and his positive influence on the squad's youngsters.
The news that Blind wanted Ajax to offer Anastasiou a
renewed deal was announced several weeks ago. It was officially
confirmed by Ajax.nl today. Anastasiou is currently on
vacation, but told football magazine Voetbal
International: "My new contract will be faxed to me this
week and I will sign and fax it back. I am happy to play for
Ajax for another year."
Yannis Anastasiou (born Arta, Greece, 05 March 1973) joined
Ajax on a surprising 'flash transfer' in
February 2004. Ajax needed a center forward immediately,
due to injuries of both Wesley Sonck and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Anastasiou played for Greek outfits Ethnikos and OFI Crete
before moving to Dutch Eredivisie side Roda JC in 2000. He
became a fan favourite in Kerkrade and scored 48 goals in 114
Eredivisie fixtures for Roda.
Anastasiou, who joined Ajax for a transfer fee of some
300,000 euros, knew what his situation was: he was going to be
Ajax's third choice for the position of center forward and
never complained when he returned to the bench. Quite on the
contrary: he earned the respect of team-mates and coaches by
becoming an amicable father figure for the team's
many youngsters. In total, Yannis Anastasiou had 29
official Ajax-1 performances so far (mostly as a
substitute), in which he scored seven goals, including last
gasp match winners against
Roda JC and
De Graafschap.
His reward from Danny Blind is an extra season at the
Amsterdam ArenA. (MP)
Source: Ajax.nl, VI.nl
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